Author Topic: ORDERED A NEW VANGUARD- .243 (Read 2584 times)

mjbgalt · « **on:** February 20, 2009, 04:19:47 PM »

I will be posting my range reports as soon as i get this rifle delivered and get a scope on it. i have a lot of loads already loaded up and ready with Varget (the Wonder Powder) and i want to try H-4350 as well.

-Matt

Ahab · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:33:31 AM »

Looking forward to see your post of results.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2009, 10:15:37 AM »

i have 60-grain sierra hollowpoints i loaded in toher .243's i have had and they ALWAYS end up grouping in the half-inch area with a little work.

i would like another bullet or two to try...maybe the 87 grain hornady and 95 grain nosler...

-Matt

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2009, 10:31:54 AM »

Don't over look IMR3031. It's a powder often ignored by folks but I've found nothing that gives better accuracy or velocity in the .243 for the bullet weights it works with. As I recall that's up to at least close to 90 grains or so. One of my very favorite loads used it and Hornady 65 V-Max bullets. Very fast and super accurate.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:04:25 PM »

interesting.

i just checked the data, the 60 grain bullet i use is about 100 fps faster with varget but needs another 2 grains of powder to do that.

but when i move to the 95-grain bullet, 3031 isn't even LISTED. bummer.

H4350 is another one a lot of people use in .243 but it seems like it isn't used in the lower weights, but only in the heavier ones.

i will have to experiment. the last 3 .243's i owned all shot around a half inch or less between 40 and 42 grains of varget. that's savage, howa, and remington. i always find stuff like that interesting...how 3 different barrels and twists and stocks can do the same thing.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2009, 06:38:02 PM »

new toy should be in tomorrow.

i really like the vanguards, just think they should find a way to make them weigh less than 7.5 pounds. once you scope them it feels like an anchor. this is fine for a .30-378 but for a .243 or .270 in the field it's a bit much.

i would love to see them offer .257 roberts and 6.5x55 as choices in the vanguard...howa makes the 6.5 in the 1500 so that could be done easily.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2009, 02:28:32 PM »

ok, here we go...

got it cleaned up and adjusted and tweaked the way i like it. the trigger was MUCH MUCH improved over the way they used to be. the fit and finish was also improved. the synthetic stock has been going through a continual improvement process for years, this one is thiner and lighter and cleaner looking.

got a 3-9x40 Bushnell Trophy scope mounted and it's boresighted now.

i have new brass and bullets and will be spending my free time this week loading some ammo up.

next, shoot some ladders and get results. i am starting with 85 grain Sierras.

the target with this one looks to be right around 3/4" so i guess it must have just missed being picked as a Sub-Moa model.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2009, 06:08:35 PM »

ok, loaded up 85 grain sierra gamekings and used Varget, H4350, and IMR 4064.

measured the test target at 0.610" so i am pretty happy with that.

must have had enough Sub-Moa's in .243 and didn't need this one?

my understanding is that they are now shooting those groups with the rifle in it's stock, not the test stock. so hopefully that means i can get this one in the 0.3" area with handloads, that's the goal.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2009, 06:00:42 PM »

bedded the stock with JB Weld tonight and sanded the stock smooth and applied 4 coats of my camo paint...the krylon fusion in khaki and forest green, camo colors line they have.

i put on a base coat of khaki and then added slashes of green over it. then random stripes of khaki and then did an X pattern of green over it again.

so it blends well and looks good. i will post pics when it's good to go.

this week looks good for a trip to the range, i will post my results.

-Matt

Inrut24/7 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2009, 12:58:25 PM »

jb weld, interesting, was the stock and barrel hard to seperate using jb weld?

mjbgalt · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2009, 03:29:36 PM »

nope, i turtle wax anything i think might touch the jb weld.

pops right apart. i put it together and let the jb weld set and dry for 4 hours. then once it's set i take the action out and let it dry completely while i am at work and by the time i get home it's done.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:10:59 AM »

ok guys, i am willing to listen to you call me a liar. because that's what i would assume if someone told me what i am about to tell you.

i tried loads today with the 85-grain sierra hollowpoint. i tried the same seating depth with H4350, VARGET, AND IMR 4064.

EVERY SINGLE LOAD went into 1/2" or less at 50 yards. i shoot at 50 because it gives me the best picture of what lods are best without the wind and my own skills affecting the groups.

this was amazing. this NEVER happens, not even at 50 yards. this rifle is definitely a keeper. no fliers, not odd shaped groups, nothing. just tiny little groups, some putting 2 or 3 in the same hole.

i am amazed. for $399 can't beat it in my opinion.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2009, 11:39:08 AM »

i am going back this week to shoot again and confirm my results, as well as choose one powder of the 3 i used. i am leaning toward H4350, because the IMR 4064 is NOT a favorite of mine, it is wayyy too long for the funnel and it burns as dirty as it looks. the varget has been my favorite powder for years but this time it looks like h4350 is just doing it better. i know it seems odd but the h4350 seemed to recoil less and bark a bit less, even at the same (estimated) velocities.

throw in the fact that my 6.5x55 will be finished soon, and i think i have a good reason to buy an 8 pound jug of H4350.

-Matt

Kurt L · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2009, 12:01:27 PM »

you said you would like to use H4350.I get 3200fps with 43.4 H4350 in 26" barrel and 87 hp Hornady bullets with great results.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2009, 12:34:55 PM »

42, 43, and 44 grains OF H4350 shot about the same for me. i will try some varied loads with it.

mine is a 24" barrel, so i assume if i can get 3100 to 3200 i should be happy.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2009, 12:31:52 PM »

well shooting today i got the best results from 37.5 grains of varget, which put all three shots into the same hole, literally.

i have one .275" hole in this target, too bad i can't do that at 100 yards.

-Matt

saltydog · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2009, 03:09:51 AM »

Nice rifle - you were in luck. That is nice shooting shooting with a 3x9 scope. Varget is a good performing powder for me in '08 based cases. I would never have thought of bedding the stock using jb weld. Do you ave any idea from other projects how long the jb bedding job lasts before you have to redo it ?

mjbgalt · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2009, 12:41:52 PM »

i dunno...forever i would think.

other steel bedding systems last forever...

that's an interesting point though...if bedding ever gets old and dried out and cracks...i suppose the fiberglass ones might.

-Matt

mjbgalt · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:17:45 PM »

going out again tomorrow to try it at 100 yards and tune it in. settled on 37.5 grains of Varget.

-Matt

Rutin2tin · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2009, 01:45:19 PM »

Thought about buying the .243 Vanguard, but just received My .223 Vanguard Sporter yesterday. What a beautiful, and solidly constructed rifle. The thickness of the receiver steel is outrageous, and the Claro Walnut is fine looking too!

I have RCBS dies & brass for .243 & .223, but the 24 cal bullets cost a bit more than the .22cal 55gr FMJ's, hence, the .223 caliber purchase.

Gonna install a new Leupold VX-1 3x9 on it, but the Burris std base and rings have not yet arrived.......Thursday should be the day.

Anyhoo, I'm looking forward to wringing out the Weatherby at the local range, and I hope that Your .243 Vanguard is an outstanding shooter.

WayneJessie · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2009, 06:34:55 PM »

My .243 varmint suprised me. It loves 42.8gr of Reloader 19 with a 95gr Ballistic Tip. It will put em 1/2 inch or less consistantly. 42gr of 4350 is not quite as consistant. Who would have thought Reloader 19 would work better than 4350 in a .243?

One Eye · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2009, 11:13:23 AM »

Thanks for the report. I ordered a Youth Vanguard in .243 for my daughter. Might end up having to get one for myself

Dan

mjbgalt · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23, 2009, 03:46:24 PM »

mine shoots the 85 grain sierra hollowpoint into about a half inch, with 3 shots at 100 yards. i have not fired a group much under or over that yet.

can't complain!

-Matt