Bad day with the .243!

[Daveinthebush]

Just got back from the range with the .243 and the report is not good.

I could not keep anything under a 6-12" group. If you call that a group.

Same load that I have used before:
Rem case - loaded maybe 4 times at the most
4064  38 grains - each load is weighed seperately
CCI large rifle primers
Fully resized
I seated the bullets only after chambering a round and then seating the bullets about .02 deeper.

One case cracked about 1" up from the rim.  1-2 primers look like they flowed back a bit around the firing pin but did not flatten. The rest of the cases look normal.

I checked IMR and there web page says I am where I am supposed to be with the load. One site (un-named) says I can use 42 grains.

The last trip to the range I was getting 1 1/2 groups at 100 yards with the NEF.

Ideas!

[Bill In SC]

Have you checked all the obvious?  Scope mounts?  Something sounds like it is loose

[ricciardelli]

#1.  Are you sure you had the .243 barrel on it?
#2.  Did you check all the screws?

[Daveinthebush]

Yea all of the normal things are normal.
Barrel was clean, scope was tight, just cleaned and deprimed some of the cases, no apparent problems.

I hope that the new Leopold scope did not go bad.

The new loads in the .44 mag Contender, 300 grain Precision Cast were doing better at 100 yards. I could at least get them in 1 1/2 inches!
I actually moved the scope on the 30/30 barrel over to the .44 and it had the same POI as the 30/30 at 25 yards!

It was warm out, 33-35 degrees, no wind. :roll:

[BruceP]

Have you checked the case length to see if any have streached and are getting to long for your chamber :idea: .

[Daveinthebush]

The book that I have says 2.045 for a case length. In measuring 20 cases I found them to be from 2.042 - 2.052.
Only 2 were 2.052 most were 2.048.

I would not think that .003 should hurt and 2.052 does not seem large either, although I will trim them next time.

Thanks!

[Daveinthebush]

I have never cleaned the lube off the cases after reloading. What would that do to hurt the situation?

I have been reloading for 35 years and maybe it is time to buy a reloading manual for Christmas! :lol:

[jeff f]

the only thing that is gonna take a rifle from 1.5 inches to 6-12 inches is the scope.  it is either loose or bad.  even real bad loads out of a real bad barrel will do better than 6-12.  even bedding wont put you out but a couple inches and you already said you have shot 1.5 inches with that barrel.  look to the scope and all associated parts and no further.  oh wait, one other thing will cause that, were you resting the FARREL on a bag and not the forearm?  upward pressure on the barrel will cause a significant change in poi.

[Ronald J. Snow]

You did not mention what bullet you were using.  Did you change brands, weights or design?

[Daveinthebush]

The other day I backed the load off to 36 grains, was more careful with the reloading and cleaning.  Last night I went back to the range at dusk and managed to get back to around 2" groups hurrying. I also changed the way I was resting the rifle, from the forearm to the barrel.

Seem that maybe it was a combination of things.  I still need to refine the load and get smaler groups though.

[1911crazy]

Just got back from the range with the .243 and the report is not good.

I could not keep anything under a 6-12" group. If you call that a group.

Same load that I have used before:
Rem case - loaded maybe 4 times at the most
4064  38 grains - each load is weighed seperately
CCI large rifle primers
Fully resized
I seated the bullets only after chambering a round and then seating the bullets about .02 deeper.

One case cracked about 1" up from the rim.  1-2 primers look like they flowed back a bit around the firing pin but did not flatten. The rest of the cases look normal.

I checked IMR and there web page says I am where I am supposed to be with the load. One site (un-named) says I can use 42 grains.

The last trip to the range I was getting 1 1/2 groups at 100 yards with the NEF.

Ideas!

This just happened to me a few weeks back my '06 went from nickel sized group accuracy to 12" groups the front scope mounts on the barrel were loose not the rings the receiver screws. now after taking it all apart and rebore siting it she's back were she was again.  After 30 years she's still good.                                                                 BigBill

Did you bump or drop it on the scope those screws aren't that strong.