I just got back from the range myself, shot the .243, scoped 45-70 BC, 45-120 BC and 338-06 Ultra. I shot the 45-70 BC over a fella's chrony there, one shot with a real healthy dose of H4198 and the 300gr Nosler partition went 2454fps out of the 32" barrel, a few grains less in my 22" Handi went 23XXfps(can't remember exactly!), so there isn't too much gain with the extra 10" of barrel length for this particular load.
The 338-06 Ultra really shined with the 230gr CT Failsafe load, at 55.5gr of H414, I thought I had a good load with a 1" group, but I continued with my progressive loads up thru 57.5grs and I'm sure glad I did!! The 57gr load was bad compared to the 55.5gr load, but the 57.5gr load made the other 2 not even in the running!!!
Shot some 460gr Cast Peformance WLNGC with H4895 and 525gr Pile Drivers with 5744 in the 45-120 BC. The 460gr CP w/ 54grs of H4895 cut a nice 1¾" group at 100yds. The 525gr Beartooth Pile Drivers, which actually weigh 539grs, with 44.5grs of 5744 did almost as good, but due to the recoil on my face with that shotgun stock, I didn't shoot much of either of these 2 loads, 2 groups was enough for me until I do some stock swapping!!
I shot the 45-70 BC with a 10x40 Bushnell Elite on it, shooting the Lyman #460390 410gr FNGC with 41.5grs of H4895, made a nice 3 shot 1" cloverleaf at 100yds. This was a rather mild load and was easy on my face!!
I only shot one load in the .243, the new 95gr Fusion ammo, it would shoot the first 2 rounds with half the hole within each other, then the 3rd round would be 3/8" away....consistently, sometimes high, sometimes to the right, so it could just be me, too!!! :oops: It was 80º+ and the .243 barrel really heats up quickly and stays warm when the weather is warm. I'm thinking in cooler weather, the spread won't be as much....I'll find out!!
