.243 1/10 twist non-toxic

[w0rks2much]

Afternoon all,

I had a nice morning on load development for my Tikka T3 .243 1/10 twist non-toxic. 100m indoor range.

I found a great load with fox 80gn bullets, 39gn of N140. 50 thou jump. 8mm group, photos below.

I carefully worked up to the load and there were no pressure signs. I also discussed with Edinburgh Rifles their recipe of 40gn (ER website). Ed has a wealth of knowledge and gives guidance freely. A nice guy.

I also tested N160, a good group, slightly larger. The best group with N160 was 14mm.

All using a bipod and rear bag.

So, my move to .243 non-toxic is complete.

Jeff.

 

[MattJ]

Have you worked out the muzzle energy for this load?

 

[Heym SR20]

I have chronoed the Edinburgh Rifle load at just under 3200 fps which gives about 1800 ft lbs. I am using a 24” barrel. Deer really dont like being hit by them.

 

[long_range_rob]

I really would recommend getting a MV and making sure you’re not falling foul on the muzzle energy

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Unless you run sub 20” barrel you are fine
Proofed at 3300fps
Developed and Tested in 20” tikkas

Half the 100gr 243 ammo we tested in a 20” failed to make Scottish energy requirements
And not a single box of factory ammo from the big makers has an accurate MV

 

[Gorgon]

Unless you run sub 20” barrel you are fine
Proofed at 3300fps
Developed and Tested in 20” tikkas

Half the 100gr 243 ammo we tested in a 20” failed to make Scottish energy requirements
And not a single box of factory ammo from the big makers has an accurate MV

While I was testing some handloads today I used a 100gr Powershok as a benchmark. Average velocity was 2747fps so 1676ft/lbs! That was with a 22" barrel!

 

[Dave_45]

My Sako blades were pathetically slow at 2850fps

243

 

[Heym SR20]

Lets be honest about the 243. Its a nice little cartridge that works very well, but it is a little cartridge. It has been used on very large antelope and deer, and will continue to be used for such. But its perfect for Roe and other smaller deer / antelope.

In the UK it has always easily exceeded the min 1,000 ft lbs requirement for smaller deer. For the bigger deer the 1,700 or 1750 ft lbs, depending on bullet, ammo and rifle its there or thereabouts.

Its not a 2,000 ft lbs plus little rifle.

 

[Jagged77]

I take mine out from time to time, had the barrel shortened to 18”. I can just get 80gr Peregrines to 1750 ft lbs with N135 or N140 and the load is accurate. It’s just not my go to - I’d rather have the .308 in case I encounter a red on my main ground. I’ll have it out again at some point no doubt.