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Author Topic: .243 Handi  (Read 1635 times)

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Offline gtk

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.243 Handi
« on: November 05, 2007, 04:03:32 PM »
Hi All.   

My 9 year old son has a .243 handi rifle.   We are shooting 95 grain Remmington Accutip Boattail.    Its dead on up to 75 yards, but tends to spray the  bullets about 12" at 100.

We are letting the barrel cool.
Scope/Rings/Bases are tight.
Shooting from a led sled.

Whats a good load to shoot in this gun?  I've heard the Federal Fusion 95 grain was a good factory load.

Maybe someone else who shoots this same gun can provide some feedback?    Last year was his 1st year hunting and he took 2 deer with it.   While I don't plan on letting him shoot further than 75 yards, I would still like for him to have that opportunity should it arise :)

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Offline darat100

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2007, 04:49:12 PM »
gtk

I have to say, one of your statements has got to be incorrect.   Bullets fly in a slight arch, but can be considered a straight line.  It can't be dead on at 75 yards, and in the next 25 go berzerk.  Honestly, sounds like the shooter needing more practice if I had to guess.   (I have this problem too!)  You are really confident at a certain range, you shoot well.  Try to push it, and you lose your confidence and concentration. 

just my 2 cents
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Offline gtk

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2007, 07:36:42 PM »
No offense meant or taken, but I know how to shoot, and  shoot pretty good if I say so myself  ;)   

Again, @ 75 it will group fairly good, but @ 100, it sprays them all over.
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Offline GatCat

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2007, 08:17:15 PM »
Do the holes in the target at the longer range look as thought the bullets are hitting them dead on, or are they "keyholing", maybe just a bit, not the classic "full-sideways" hole? How does the crown (at the muzzle)  look...any dings that could cause the bullets to upset? No doubt you'll get alot of real good advise here, this forum is real friendly and knowledgabe. Before long I'm sure you will have a 200 plus yard outfit sorted out!!
Mark
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Offline gtk

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2007, 09:49:23 PM »
Quote from: GatCat on November 05, 2007, 08:17:15 PM
Do the holes in the target at the longer range look as thought the bullets are hitting them dead on, or are they "keyholing", maybe just a bit, not the classic "full-sideways" hole? How does the crown (at the muzzle)  look...any dings that could cause the bullets to upset? No doubt you'll get alot of real good advise here, this forum is real friendly and knowledgabe. Before long I'm sure you will have a 200 plus yard outfit sorted out!!
Mark
GatCat, the gun has no visible dings that I see.   I will have to go back and pull the targets to verify, but I don't remember noticing the holes being any different than my .270 I was shooting the same day.

thx!


Greg
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Offline handi243

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2007, 11:12:50 PM »
It may be the was your resting the rifle on the lead sled they sometimes do better held under the hinge pin. I found on mine that i sanded out the barrel channel in the forearm the only contact is where the screw  hole is i also do not tighten the forearms screw very much when it make contact i turn it a quarter turn. As for bullets i shoot handloads but when i got this barrel i tried the blue box federals 100gr the did good at 100yrds. I shot a buck this past Sat. with a 100gr Sierra he ran about 50yrds.
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Offline aldar

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2007, 12:40:05 AM »
my.243 gave me fits all summer trying to find some thing that will shoot with consistency. The Winchester superX 100grs shot the best as far as factory rounds went. I then reloaded using 80gr, 85gr 87gr and 95gr bullets. the best I came up with was the 87gr Sierra Gamekings behind a full load of H414. Also tried some cheap 100gr Remington's with RL22 and got good results. I would suggest staying away from BT bullets, my .243 did'nt like them as well as flat base.
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Offline JerryKo

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2007, 02:45:45 AM »
You said you're using 95 grain bullets.  How much powder, and do you know the muzzle velocity.  I was thinking the same as GatCat about keyholing issues.  I'm no expert but I think these 243 barrels are 1:10 twist and 105 gr bullets I know require a 1:9.  My thought was heavy bullet at slower than factory velocities maybe not stabilizing.  Could be slowing down just enough at 75yds to start to tumble and upset.  I would get the largest backing I could find and shoot at 150 to 200yds and see if it is noticeably keyholing at those distances.  Good luck, and keep us posted.  I'm picking up a 243 handi today for my youngest.  I'll have a few years to work up a load, but I'm interested already.  Especially after hearing about the 232yd bang/flop on a whitetail from a young girl behind a 243 superlight in the centerfire forums.
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Offline luv2shoot

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2007, 04:27:32 AM »
IMR 4064 - 95 gr BT @ 2715fps at 100 yards out of a superlight 243.  Very minimal recoil for the kids

This is my sight in target and the last 3 shots are in the X.  I love it when they sight in that easy.
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Offline gtk

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2007, 09:00:15 AM »
Quote from: luv2shoot on November 06, 2007, 04:27:32 AM
IMR 4064 - 95 gr BT @ 2715fps at 100 yards out of a superlight 243.
What brand BT?   whats the info on that load.    Got the 4064, going to pick up some bullets tomorrow ..
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Offline luv2shoot

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2007, 09:42:05 AM »
95 grain Ballistic Tip, 35 grns 4064, CCI BR primer, Remington Case, 2.747" COL

works for my situation, you may have to tweek it for your application.

Let me know how it works for you
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Offline gtk

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2007, 11:35:32 AM »
Federal Fusion
95 grain.
100 yards.

Much Much happier.

The two three shot groups are mine, the other two are my 9 year old sons.   

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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2007, 11:42:19 AM »
That's what we're talking about!!
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Offline poncaguy

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2007, 03:58:09 PM »
My 243 loves the 95 grain Fusions too as well as Winchester Ballistic Tips..........
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Offline Guy Pike

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2007, 04:30:38 PM »
It's been said that each rifle is an individual and will have it's likes and dislikes and here it is proved again! I am always amazed at the tiny tiny things that can make such huge differences ie. a couple thousandths col or a couple tenth grains of powder, etc. The thing for me with handis is to find the best shooting factory load, check and or perform the standard tweaks for average Joes, go to handloads{this can be very time consuming due to the infinite combinations possible}. Some times the process gets modified when something works well, but I haven't found any of my five handis and Buffalo Classic that didn't turn out quite well. Good on you and Federal Fusions mate!
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Offline gtk

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #15 on: November 10, 2007, 04:05:02 PM »
what are these standard tweaks for the average joe?
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #16 on: November 10, 2007, 04:09:12 PM »
Read the FAQs and Helps sticky, they're all in there, that's what they're there for! ;)

Tim
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Offline gtk

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #17 on: November 27, 2007, 09:50:12 AM »
My 9 year olds first deer of the year.   He has 1.5 seasons under his belt, and now 3 deer  ;D
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: .243 Handi
« Reply #18 on: November 27, 2007, 09:52:55 AM »
Congrats to your son and you, gtk!! ;)

Tim
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