Upgrade from.243

[User00033]

Wear. I have a detailed explanation from a well known barrel maker somewhere but I can’t be bothered to find it.

Didn’t we discuss this on here the other day or was that somewhere else?

Ah ha I remember now it was in our WhatsApp group. From our resident smith:

This is the difference between pre lapped and polished match grade barrels v/s cheaper mass produced units. The tolerances and sharp edges on the latter run in within 100 to 500 rounds and continue to speed up as the wear further. What you and Alan have seen is quite a jump. But not that unusual . It will be interesting to see if it plateaus or continues to climb. Match barrels are better machined and lapped to reduce that initual break in period.

There’s a bunch more chat about it but you get the gist. Basically the Howa is a cheap barrel.

Don’t confuse cheap with crap. That would be a mistake!

 

[Stalker62]

Excellent.

I shall print that off and put it with all the other good information and store it on my new Annealing Made Perfect MkII Machine Study table...

 

[User00033]

I’m pretty sure @Stalker1962 that we got a technical note on this as well from the barrel maker which I skim read and bookmarked for another day, but haven’t gone back to yet. But that’s not part of the thread and so it’ll be on the laptop which ain’t here. But anyway that’s all waaaayyyy off topic, maybe one of the ‘spurts can comment in the Gunsmithing section if they like. But just in case...

It is, indubitably, a thing. A measurable, fairly linear, practical reality. Obviously the rate will differ from one barrel to the next, and one manufacturer to the next. I first noticed it when I drop tested my second batch of 100 rounds for the 6.5, at first I thought it was the difference between brand-new brass and once fired brass that had only been neck sized, so I loaded some brand-new brass and that was faster too. In the middle of the second batch of 100 rounds, so around 150 down the tube, I started shooting over the top of goats at about 500m. The wife was like, hey, WTF is wrong with you??

I adjusted my assumed velocity in Strelok to account for the estimated reduction in drop at that range, and that worked, then it was back to the Homestead and some more reloading because I was burning through 60-70 rounds a day on the goats. Same thing, faster still. The 6.5 has settled down now and is consistent, but it is up 85-90 ft./s compared to the first batch of 100 after initial load development. The powder lot is all the same since the beginning, from the same 4kg container, ditto primers, same brass etc. Alan’s experience was almost identical.

Nothing beats a proper drop test for quality information.

 

[Stalker62]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This week's "word of the week" has an early front runner - screaming in all the way from NZ..... indubitably.

 

[User00033]

Indubitably

 

[barbel]

400m is a long long way when shooting deer, especially when other land with no access to is by them, practiced yesterday in the windy weather at 400 with a 308 tikka ctr 20" s/s , personally agree with ejg .Would I no.

 

[Shroughaun]

thanks for all the feedback from everyone.
After a lot of humming and hawing I’ve bit the bullet and purchase a Mauser M18 in 6.5 CM and kept the .243 also.
just waiting on the license to come through now

 

[User00033]

400m is a long long way when shooting deer, especially when other land with no access to is by them, practiced yesterday in the windy weather at 400 with a 308 tikka ctr 20" s/s , personally agree with ejg .Would I no.

When I get @ejg out here with one of his beautiful stocks, into which I will gladly slip a T3 barrelled action of his choice (and then keep it) I can guarantee he will be bowling big fat reds over at 400m without a second thought!

 

[NP435]

I can agree with doing actual drop tests. I don't see enough change from 6CM and 243 in my uses to buy the 6CM. Please enjoy one of you have it.

 

[Doric]

Hi All,
Look for a bit of advice, I have permission on land which is like looking in to a bowl. And typically most shots presented at 3/350 yards at best in this particular area, and that’s not sum things I’m comfortable taking with the .243. Currently using SAKO 100g soft points also. Therefore, I’m thinking of upgrading from .243 to maybe 6.5CM.
Over the last 2 weeks I just been up there assessing and trying to find ways I may be able to get close for the coming season, however it’s a difficult task as it pretty open apart from the last 400 yard down.

Any 6.5 ,7mm or 270w will strech your legs a bit .