243 finicky?

[wyohandi]

Awhile ago I got a 243 barrel from my brother in law, didn't shoot too good.
Being hardheaded and all I dig it out once in awhile to see if it has healed up.
The best I have ever got it to shoot is 1 1/4- 1 1/2", which is good enough
for a deer gun I guess. My question is regarding bullet depth, at 2.655" OAL
with a 95grSST it shoots 1 1/2"  .005" either way it strings vertically 3" or more.
I have never had a gun show that big a difference with such a small adjustment
ever before. Anyone else have this happen?
In reality I could have bought a Stevens with the money I've burned in powder and
bullets, but what I've gained in trigger time and experience, PRICELESS!!

[Trapper-Jack]

I had issues with my .243 when I first started loading for it.  For years I had burned IMR 4064.  I was able to develope a load with it for a 65 grain bullet that shot well, but if I varried 2/10's with the powder it began spreading the group out.  I tried with a heavier bullet and didn't get any favorable results until I went to a slower powder.  I currently use IMR 4350 and it seems to do a lot better.  Strange because when I was younger I used tons of 4064 in a 6mm Remington and it shot really well with all weights of bullets. 

[lonewolf5348]

I read on a different forum about the barrel twist in the 243 they are many and it stated the best twist is 1 in 7 1/2
I think it stated for a 1 in 10 twist that the H@R are design with the max: bullet to use was 75 grains
The slower twist was excellent for the 100 and 105 grain bullet
The Remington I just pick up SPR18 has a 1 in 8 1/4 I had no idea what the twist was but the gun being made in Russia should shoot the 100 grain + bullets
I think I also read the IMR 4831 should be a excellent powder choice but I hate to purchase a lb of powder for one rifle only.
I am going to try IMR 4350 in the 243 and the 7MM-08

[quickdtoo]

My 1:10" Ultra shoots 100gr Hi-Shoks(now called Power-Shoks) real good.

Tim

[wyohandi]

I guess I was just confused by the fact the "sweet spot" is so small,
and why it was soooo far from the rifling, I don't remember the exact
amount of freebore but its close to 1/4".
I know seating depth is important, but usually makes good groups itty-bitty
not from I guess that will do to where did that 3rd shot go???

[Kbis]

 My 243 will not shoot 100 grain stuff at all, almost every round will key hole with 3 different factory loads, but will shoot under 1/2" at 100 yards with Sierra 85 grain bullets and IMR 4831.

[Swampman]

I would say that you read more complaints on the .243 than any other Handi caliber.

[petemi]

I had a Rem model 7 in 6mm (I believe that is .244???) and didn't like it worth a poop.  Traded it for a Ruger .308 M77 MKII and never looked back.  It does stuff the 6 could only dream about.  I tried a lot of different loads in the 6mm, and none seemed to work well.  The .308 eats and spits out 168 gr. boattails with precision.  In my experience, the .308 kills deer deader quicker, and reaches way out beyond 300 yards with consistent accuracy.

If I live long enough, my next three Handi rifles will be .308, .35 Rem and .35 Whelen....well perhaps a .444, or a .44 mag, or .223, or a .25-06, or a, or a, or a...............

[Swampman]

I would say that you read more complaints on the .243 than any other Handi caliber.

I just wanted to make it clear that I think the .243 is the best cartridge around that's smaller than the .30-06.  For whatever reason it just seems fussy in the Handi.