Hornady Light Mag ammo in a handi?

[skifastchad]

I just got a 243 barrel on a trade, and I have been looking at my options for factory ammo since I don't reload.

The Light Mag ammo that hornady makes looks impressive by the numbers, but the box has warnings about what kind of gun it can be used in.

The 100grain bullets are factory rated at 3100fps.  What kind of pressures are required to push a .243 bullet that fast?   Is it within SAMMI specs?  How about the the mechanical limits of a handi rifle?

[quickdtoo]

There are several members here that shoot light mag ammo in other chamberings in their Handis, if it's an extractor barrel, you probably won't have a problem, but an ejector barrel may get stuck brass, which is usually a sign of too hot a load. I'd polish the chamber and tune the ejector{FAQs} before you shoot it if it is one. The rifle will handle it fine, give em a shot and see how they do and let us know. 

Tim

[quickdtoo]

SAAMI MAP for the 243 is 60kpsi, but load data that I have in Hodgdon's Annual is ~51kcup, their top velocities in a 24" barrel are just over 3000fps. Nosler doesn't show pressure, but their top loads in a 24" barrel are up to 3144fps, but they include 95gr bullets along with the 100gr partition.

Tim

http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellk.htm#pressure

[Mac11700]

I just got a 243 barrel on a trade, and I have been looking at my options for factory ammo since I don't reload.

The Light Mag ammo that hornady makes looks impressive by the numbers, but the box has warnings about what kind of gun it can be used in.

The 100grain bullets are factory rated at 3100fps.  What kind of pressures are required to push a .243 bullet that fast?   Is it within SAMMI specs?  How about the the mechanical limits of a handi rifle?

It is well within SAAMI specs and it is achieved by using proprietary powder blends to attain it. Some Handi's give acceptable groups with it..others are all over the place...As Quick said..try it and see how it preforms with yours then let everyone know how it did...Another couple of choices for factory ammo...is the Federal Fusion ammo..and the Winchester Supreme line...both have done well in mine and others..

Mac

[poncaguy]

The best or most accurate 243 ammo I have found is the Winchester Ballistic Silver Tip.......thinks that's the name.. Very costly though, I save it to deer hunt with.....$30+ a box at Wally World.

[skifastchad]

Well, I stopped at the local hardware store today,  I don't think you guys are going to get a range report from me on the Hornady Light Mag.  They were clearing off the shelves of fusion for $7 a box.  I bought all of it (18 boxes).   
I will be able to provide you with plenty of range info with fusion 95 grain ammo now as soon as I have a few spare hours to get to the range.

[quickdtoo]

The 95gr Fusion shoot real good in mine and several others here have had the same results, and at that price, you should be real happy!!!

Tim

[Mac11700]

$7 a box.

Now that's a steal...you did real good on that ammo...and it should shoot well for ya to boot...

poncaguy...I don't know if you reload or not...but if you do...you can reload it and get just as good as accuracy...or even better if your lucky..



This load was safe in my 24" bull barrel...and shot exceptionally well... it was with a max load of Reloader 22...Winchester nickel brass..Remington 9-1/2 primers and the 95 grain Combined Technologies Silver ballistic Tip...The 3 at the top went into .118" with the bottom 2 shots..the group opened to .670"...and was the 2nd 5 shot group of 4 that I fired in under 3 minutes...None of the groups were over 3/4"...It is my favorite load for the 243...

Mac

[poncaguy]

Mac
just starting to reload, having a hard time to find a good spot for my reloading.......wife has too much junk!