Did I read this right, you are getting 3570fps with N160?Accuracy of these bullets is superb, developed a load for a few .243 rifles with 160, all group better than i thought i could shoot grouping 1/4 moa in an r8, r93 & sako.
Found 2 almost identical nodes in 3 rifles one around 3300fps and one at 3570fps but only investigated the lower one and pressure signs were evident not far after the high node with one rifle unseating a primer at 46.6gr where as the other 2 rifles showed little signs at and even beyond that.
I backed the jump in the rifle with the furthest lands to 66thou jump to match the BTOM to match other 2 measured at 50though and they still grouped 1/4moa so I've ended up with one load for multiple rifles.
I'm developing a load in n-150 but the initial load gets the job done so well it's on the back burner. Seriously looking forward to rich getting the 6.5's finished.
They seem to be fitting rich's aims perfectly, pretty frangible tip with a penetrating base, a fair bit of meat damage in some cases but that can be the trade off if you don't want them to run far.
There are a few pics on the previous page.'Unfortunately' we can get most of them to group well enough to shoot deer. I'm only interested in what the carcass looks like on a regular basis. I await the results on small deer with interest.
Amount of propellant burnt 90.36%. Looks like the wrong powder choice to me or am I reading this wrong?
I rather meant munties and CWD size animals however that damage does look similar to what I have had with non-toxic.There are a few pics on the previous page.
3570 was during a ladder, not interested in running them that quick. One ladder was abandoned at a lower velocity due to pressure signs.Did I read this right, you are getting 3570fps with N160? Some rifles show pressure signs
No I don't think your reading this wrong, 160 is way to slow for the 243.Amount of propellant burnt 90.36%. Looks like the wrong powder choice to me or am I reading this wrong?
How many grains of 160 were you using in the ladder load to get to 3570fps?3570 was during a ladder, not interested in running them that quick. One ladder was abandoned at a lower velocity due to pressure signs.
Quick load doesn't give you the true picture unless you can verify with an accurate chronograph and manipulate it. There are ways and means to get more out of slower powders IME.
If quick load tells you you should be getting 3150 and you're getting 3300 from the same charge measured with lab scales and confirmed on a lab radar & targets at multiple ranges there's clearly something the software doesn't know and you can be sure the pressure predictions are off too.
Even a dirty barrel will change the dynamics and cleaning can see an increase or decrease in velocity in my experience. the best way to test ammo is to shoot it, you can use all the software & theory in the world the there's a difference between I, T & A and the more T you come to understand the closer you'll get to predicting A. Every day is a school day
The load that I have 4 rifles shooting are all shooting the same charge and all generate between 3220fps - 3300fps.
After some further testing & tuning the ammo to make sure the quality is up to scratch in most rifles it will go to be cip tested and be available for sale through the RFD I've started working with.

What charge weight of N160 are you using which produces 3570 feet with that bullet?Plenty
Sorry I don't share how far I push ladders or what load I settle on, like I said some ladders were abandoned early on some rifles. The ladder started at 40.6. and like I said the node that was settled on was with significantly less powder.
160 is listed / recommended by certain bullet manufacturers for the .243, even for 70gr projectiles: 243 Winchester Load Data - Nosler
If quick load tells you you're getting a 89% burn with X generating 3100fps and you're getting 3300fps with X you know something is going on. This is the limit of the T that some people apply not realising what the A is.
Unburnt powder can cause serious issues, duly noted
I'm developing with other powders for these same bullets, 550 150 and other brands, a fast powder has the advantage of being useful in shorter barrelled rifles getting a better burn, but like I said, there are ways and means to get more out of slower powders.
If you think that these bullets have the same release, friction and pressure characteristics as a barnes you're missing the mark to begin with, not to mention that you are doing so without asking any questions about neck thickness, ID, crimp, jump, lands angle, I suggest you load them up using your data varying the neck tension and crimp pressure and pay to have them tested to cip standards and return with the A to back up your T with 'it's way too slow'
There are allot of variables that are not on that quick load data you posted.
I'd be interested to hear how. Could you please elaborate?but like I said, there are ways and means to get more out of slower powders.
The reason for the question was that I am using a cartridge based on the 243/308 using under bore bullets with drive bands and was looking for answers as to how it is possible to use 160 effectively as I have quite a few kilo's of it.Plenty
Sorry I don't share how far I push ladders or what load I settle on, like I said some ladders were abandoned early on some rifles. The ladder started at 40.6. and like I said the node that was settled on was with significantly less powder.
160 is listed / recommended by certain bullet manufacturers for the .243, even for 70gr projectiles: 243 Winchester Load Data - Nosler
If quick load tells you you're getting a 89% burn with X generating 3100fps and you're getting 3300fps with X you know something is going on. This is the limit of the T that some people apply not realising what the A is.
Unburnt powder can cause serious issues, duly noted
I'm developing with other powders for these same bullets, 550 150 and other brands, a fast powder has the advantage of being useful in shorter barrelled rifles getting a better burn, but like I said, there are ways and means to get more out of slower powders.
If you think that these bullets have the same release, friction and pressure characteristics as a barnes you're missing the mark to begin with, not to mention that you are doing so without asking any questions about neck thickness, ID, crimp, jump, lands angle, I suggest you load them up using your data varying the neck tension and crimp pressure and pay to have them tested to cip standards and return with the A to back up your T with 'it's way too slow'
There are allot of variables that are not on that quick load data you posted.
The picture does not show drive bands..If the Yew tree bullet (sorry the names has unfortunately connotations with Operation Yew Tree for me )
If the bullet in question has “drive bands” and the body is land diameter (drive bands groove diameter) then there will be significant pressure reduction and likelihood of higher than predicted VO
I’ve seen this time and time again with my own experience of using LTS with drive bands
Often seeing 300 FPS over predicted PMax or equivalent software
I agree wholeheartedly; Using N-160 in Lapua brass my results were this, the predicted QL velocity of my chosen load was 2,943 fps from my 570mm barrel but the chronographed velocity was an average of 147 fps higher, just as various articles on reloading with mono-metals predict. But this is with a powder load and bullet seating depth which needs a drop tube to be used to achieve the desired powder charge that gave me the best accuracy from N-160. The load was 974 Bar below P-Max. However, I did find a different powder gave me my best results, but all rifle barrels are individuals.If the Yew tree bullet (sorry the names has unfortunately connotations with Operation Yew Tree for me )
If the bullet in question has “drive bands” and the body is land diameter (drive bands groove diameter) then there will be significant pressure reduction and likelihood of higher than predicted VO
I’ve seen this time and time again with my own experience of using LTS with drive bands
Often seeing 300 FPS over predicted PMax or equivalent software
I’d also like to know how he explains the 120% case fill and also the voodoo magic used ref “ways and means to get more out of slower powders.”The picture does not show drive bands..