243 Help

[Bramble]

I have just picked up a second hand Sako 85s in 243 from a reputable gun shop, I made some rounds up using H550, 90grn Sierra Gameking in new lapau brass with CCI large rifle primers, OAL was around 2.700, I made four batches of rounds at 38, 38.5, 39, gen.
Tried them today, warm still day, couldn't get a group under 3 inches!!
Iv never had such awful results when starting to make a new calibre, any help would be great, many thanks

 

[jall55]

I have just picked up a second hand Sako 85s in 243 from a reputable gun shop, I made some rounds up using H550, 90grn Sierra Gameking in new lapau brass with CCI large rifle primers, OAL was around 2.700, I made four batches of rounds at 38, 38.5, 39, gen.
Tried them today, warm still day, couldn't get a group under 3 inches!!
Iv never had such awful results when starting to make a new calibre, any help would be great, many thanks

Funny i had one of these and it was also pretty shocking
Be interested to hear what people say too

 

[Bowland blades]

Have you inspected the bore ? Has anyone assured you its still good and shoots ? If you want to test it with some goof 243 factory after a real good clean though this might give you something to test and take back and see how good a gunshop they really are by 1. getting it shooting or 2. refunding you

 

[sako85708]

Is H550 a Hodgdon powder or do you mean Vit N550 ?

 

[Smellydog]

Why are you piddling around with rabbit loads with that powder?
Get some powder in there.

 

[tusker]

I would play around with your bullet seating depth to start with and then work out your best load.
Tusker

 

[Night òwl]

I have the same rifle and couldn't get 90,s to stabilise, dropped down to sierra 80grn sbt and produced lovely grouping

 

[Sakoodin1]

The 85’s were a funny batch! I know a fair few in .270 that would not shoot worth a s***, some issue with the barrels. I can’t remember but I’m sure they replaced them with the older 75 and they were fine

 

[sako85708]

I must be lucky my Sako 85 243win handles most bullets well from 70grn Noslers to 100grn Gamekings , but my go to load for the last couple of years has been 95grn SST's with 41grns of Ramshot Hunter

 

[Lancaster]

@sako85708

Have you put that load over a chrono?
I have used Hunter behind 95gn Nosler BTs and I have doubts as to whether 41gn of Hunter would be deer legal.

 

[sako85708]

@sako85708

Have you put that load over a chrono?
I have used Hunter behind 95gn Nosler BTs and I have doubts as to whether 41gn of Hunter would be deer legal.

This is my fox load / Muntjac load , my other Sako 85 in 7mm08 gets used for large deer. But an interesting comment if it doesn't rain tomorrow I will get out the chrono and report back

 

[Bramble]

Sorry, should have been N550

 

[Lancaster]

I have just picked up a second hand Sako 85s in 243 from a reputable gun shop, I made some rounds up using H550, 90grn Sierra Gameking in new lapau brass with CCI large rifle primers, OAL was around 2.700, I made four batches of rounds at 38, 38.5, 39, gen.
Tried them today, warm still day, couldn't get a group under 3 inches!!
Iv never had such awful results when starting to make a new calibre, any help would be great, many thanks

As others have said give it a good clean, my favourite brew is Wipeout Tactical advantage with Accelerator, shoot a few rounds with a box of factory to see how it shoots.

If it's all over the place do all the usual checks, crown, barrel channel clearance, bedding, stock bolts, bases, rings, known good scope, etc.

If all is good have a look at your load, 39gn looks a bit pedestrian IMHO.

 

[MAH]

help would be great, many thanks

The 1st thing I would do is email the dealer and let them know the problem.
Ask their advice.
Get the crown inspected, try a different scope., try factory rounds.

There is a similar post on here where the buyer has let 18m go by before talking to the dealer.
Let them know now is my advice.
M.

 

[Bramble]

Thanks for all replies, I just took the load from the lee manual which says 40.6 is highest, I'll check the vit sight, the scope is my swaro z6 so should be fine, I'll check all the screws etc, I perhaps foolishly thought the shop would have cleaned it, they said they knew the chap who traded it in (for a Blazer) and he would have looked after it and wouldn't have put a lot through it!

 

[BuckhurstBen]

I’m using 44.3gn N550 with 95gn Berger Vld’s with no pressure signs in a custom .243win, seated 10thou back from jam. This is safe in my gun maybe not yours! But I’d suggest trying more powder and figuring out your jam then seating 10thou off. Also try different primers I always get good results with CC1 BR2. Have you access to other powders N160 always works well in .243.
Ben

 

[Cottis]

Buy a box of Federal bluebox 100grain cartridges and put a handful in to a target. If they will not group for you, take the rifle back to the shop and moan. Assuming your scope and mounts etc are all good.

 

[Overlay]

Buy a box of Federal bluebox 100grain cartridges and put a handful in to a target. If they will not group for you, take the rifle back to the shop and moan. Assuming your scope and mounts etc are all good.

They shoot hole on hole in my 243

 

[TringSaint]

I must be lucky my Sako 85 243win handles most bullets well from 70grn Noslers to 100grn Gamekings , but my go to load for the last couple of years has been 95grn SST's with 41grns of Ramshot Hunter View attachment 306225

Don’t have a sako, but a Winchester 70 coyote, but the results are as above with anything from 75-100gn. I use 85gn and it’s sub moa so long as I do my job!!!

 

[Donkey Basher]

Go & buy a box of Sako factory ammo from the shop you bought the rifle from, tell them why you're buying & let them know if you get crap groups you'll be bringing the thing back! Out of interest, was the reputable gunshop in Hampshire?