Yew Tree 243 Reloading

[20-250]

I'm having a frustrating time working up a load for the 80.5 grain Yew Tree copper HP in a 243 Sako Carbonlight. So far, I've worked up with N160, which seems to be what most people are using. I have no pressure signs at 46.2 grains, with 3350 fps but don't want to push it more. Norma brass, CCI BR-2 primers.
I was expecting an indication of a preferred powder charge, but nothing stands out as being worth fine tuning with seating depth. Every charge is producing about 1 to 1.2 inch 3 shot groups. The rifle is properly clean before using copper. It shoots Nosler Tipstrike and a 70 grain NBT homeload into half an inch, or .6 on a bad day. I have other powders I could try, N140, N150, RS70 and H414 for example.
What would you do?

 

[Andyquadra]

I'm having a frustrating time working up a load for the 80.5 grain Yew Tree copper HP in a 243 Sako Carbonlight. So far, I've worked up with N160, which seems to be what most people are using. I have no pressure signs at 46.2 grains, with 3350 fps but don't want to push it more. Norma brass, CCI BR-2 primers.
I was expecting an indication of a preferred powder charge, but nothing stands out as being worth fine tuning with seating depth. Every charge is producing about 1 to 1.2 inch 3 shot groups. The rifle is properly clean before using copper. It shoots Nosler Tipstrike and a 70 grain NBT homeload into half an inch, or .6 on a bad day. I have other powders I could try, N140, N150, RS70 and H414 for example.
What would you do?

What is your current jump to the lands?
Its worth dropping Richard a message as he's very helpful

 

[20-250]

I should have mentioned that. I have only loaded at 50 though off the lands, as per Richard's recommendation.

 

[Mike1979]

Try another bullet.

Appreciate this is for my 6.5 Creed but I used some Sako cases and went through 123 grain and 100 grain fox bullets..didnt get the results I wanted so switched to new lapua brass and 120 grain TTSX and managed to settle on a load that gave me a 1/4" group using RS60.

Im very new to reloading so have limited knowledge

 

[takbok]

Sounds like you're on the right track. I would pick a charge and then try some deeper seating depths as per yewtree recommendations.

Reloading Tips - Yew Tree Fieldsports & Game Ltd.

Professional Reloading Tips for Hand Loading Ammunition, brought to you from Richard Sharman at Yew Tree Fieldsports.

www.copperbullets.co.uk

I've got a box of them and am looking forward to trying them soon.

 

[20-250]

I've got a box of them and am looking forward to trying them soon.

I hope you find them less frustrating than I have. There's just no obvious charge to pick and I'm about 30 bullets down the box now. Fortunately, I have enough lead to last me two or three lifetimes, but that's not really the point...

 

[20-250]

Mistake in the first post. Should have said 1 to 1.5 inch groups

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I'm having a frustrating time working up a load for the 80.5 grain Yew Tree copper HP in a 243 Sako Carbonlight. So far, I've worked up with N160, which seems to be what most people are using. I have no pressure signs at 46.2 grains, with 3350 fps but don't want to push it more. Norma brass, CCI BR-2 primers.
I was expecting an indication of a preferred powder charge, but nothing stands out as being worth fine tuning with seating depth. Every charge is producing about 1 to 1.2 inch 3 shot groups. The rifle is properly clean before using copper. It shoots Nosler Tipstrike and a 70 grain NBT homeload into half an inch, or .6 on a bad day. I have other powders I could try, N140, N150, RS70 and H414 for example.
What would you do?

Mine outright refuses to shoot them. I've tried 150, 160, rs something or other (was recommended by Rich) got the velocity i was after but noway near the accuracy.

Tried other brass, tried other primers, no avail. Tried clean, dirty and inbetween. Tried numerous seating depths, even to the point of finding the best charge weight, getting my caliper, hand press and dies and loading - 3 thou, shooting a group, going another -3...

Gave up, will look for another bullet

Edit - couldn't get them to shoot through my PRC either for that matter. Shot maybe 150 bullets, same again, powders, primers, charge weights, seating depths.
Hornady CX work well through that but don't perform as the yew tree. My 4 last rifles have Shot them really well though

 

[20-250]

Appreciate the reply. I admit I didn't try as hard with Yew Trees in my 6.5x47 as I have with this 243, but I couldn't get them to shoot in that either. I was feeling like the odd one out.

 

[rookyshot]

I appreciate it’s a different bullet but with an 80gr Hornady CX out of my 243 it will group sub MOA with any charge weight I’ve tried and it’s bullet on bullet with some really basic load development over the chrono. It might be worth giving it a go in your Sako.

 

[20-250]

I appreciate it’s a different bullet but with an 80gr Hornady CX out of my 243 it will group sub MOA with any charge weight I’ve tried and it’s bullet on bullet with some really basic load development over the chrono. It might be worth giving it a go in your Sako.

How does it perform on deer and foxes? My other 243 has a 1 in 8 twist Bartlein barrel which handles factory Hornady 80 grain GMX very well, but the terminal performance of the Yew Tree would suit me better if I can get it shooting well.

 

[r judd]

Speak to richard @Yew Tree Fieldsports he should be able to help

 

[rookyshot]

How does it perform on deer and foxes? My other 243 has a 1 in 8 twist Bartlein barrel which handles factory Hornady 80 grain GMX very well, but the terminal performance of the Yew Tree would suit me better if I can get it shooting well.

Not tested terminal performance yet and I also accept it’s a different bullet design to Yew Tree which may well be better suited to your needs particularly if you plan to use it for deer and foxing. I’m also developing a 243 load with the 53 grain tipped Yew Tree bullet as a dedicated fox round and I’m looking forward to seeing how that performs.

 

[Jagged77]

I’ve found the 80.5 an extremely accurate bullet out of my Tikka T3

N160 is too slow, try N140 and work up carefully. Pressure signs can appear quite quickly at the top end. I seat mine down so the canular / driving band is only just visible (I can check COAL later if you like).

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Speak to richard @Yew Tree Fieldsports he should be able to help

Sometimes no amount on talking can help. Some rifles just don't like em against all advice! When you've tried all pet loads and your own and they still wont shoot, it's time to give up (especially over a quid a pop, real expensive real quick)

 

[Jagged77]

Sometimes no amount on talking can help. Some rifles just don't like em against all advice! When you've tried all pet loads and your own and they still wont shoot, it's time to give up (especially over a quid a pop, real expensive real quick)

Agreed, I had the same issue with some .308 copper bullets. All other bullets I tried were exceptional but the rifle just didn’t like these.

An alternative for the OP to consider is the Barnes TTSX - very accurate and terminal performance is excellent.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Agreed, I had the same issue with some .308 copper bullets. All other bullets I tried were exceptional but the rifle just didn’t like these.

An alternative for the OP to consider is the Barnes TTSX - very accurate and terminal performance is excellent.

I've tried lots including the op's and settled on the 80g TTSX Barnes, very accurate out of my .243 and has accounted for many deer up to big Devon stags

 

[bbell]

Have you shot a 10 rd group? If it’s still 1-1.5in, you would have a hard time beating that.

 

[Mike1979]

Have you shot a 10 rd group? If it’s still 1-1.5in, you would have a hard time beating that.

Expensive way of doing. Frankly if you cant get a decent 3 round group with a certain load not really worth wasting another 7 rounds.

 

[Mike1979]

I've tried lots including the op's and settled on the 80g TTSX Barnes, very accurate out of my .243 and has accounted for many deer up to big Devon stags

What powder are you running Rich?

Sorted the load for the manbun gun and just looking at the .243