6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[Carl Ross]

Which model is that and what barrel length?

22.4” apparently, it started as this:

Tikka T3x Ember RTech .243 Win Blk/SS FL 22.4" MB MT5/8x24 Bbl 3rd Rifle JRTXRBS315

Tikka T3x Ember RTech .243 Win Blk/SS FL 22.4" MB MT5/8x24 Bbl 3rd Rifle JRTXRBS315 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

Considered using it for NRL Hunter Factory, but after comparing to a Seekins I decided to use it for hunting instead.

 

[General RE LEE]

Which model is that and what barrel length?

Looks like a Superlite in a Rok Stok

 

[General RE LEE]

Affirmative.

How accurate and precise are you able to get heavy-for-caliber handloads in the 1:8 243? I've considered just getting a 1:8 243 Tikka vs a 6 CM.

Are there any seating depth issues?

 

[Carl Ross]

How accurate and precise are you able to get heavy-for-caliber handloads in the 1:8 243? I've considered just getting a 1:8 243 Tikka vs a 6 CM.

Are there any seating depth issues?

My first pitch bullet/powder/seating depth try did 10 shots in 1 MOA so I stopped there. 109 ELD - 41 H4350 - .030” off lands. OAL is 2.860”, it fits in M+ mags but not regular M’s.

 

[HighUintas]

My first pitch bullet/powder/seating depth try did 10 shots in 1 MOA so I stopped there. 109 ELD - 41 H4350 - .030” off lands. OAL is 2.860”, it fits in M+ mags but not regular M’s.

I've got the same barrel, although I throated mine to seat further out. I'm only getting 2985 with 108s and 42gr h4350. Starline brass. It seems to be a bit slow for other bullet and powder combos too. What brass are you using?

 

[Carl Ross]

I've got the same barrel, although I throated mine to seat further out. I'm only getting 2985 with 108s and 42gr h4350. Starline brass. It seems to be a bit slow for other bullet and powder combos too. What brass are you using?

Funny enough, it’s some Hornady brass that I borrowed from a friend when I needed to get this rifle going quickly. After this firing I’ll return it, I have Starline on deck.

I would expect extending the throat would reduce speed with all else equal. And, different (individual) barrel, different bullet, different powder lot, along with different brass.

 

[HighUintas]

Funny enough, it’s some Hornady brass that I borrowed from a friend when I needed to get this rifle going quickly. After this firing I’ll return it, I have Starline on deck.

I would expect extending the throat would reduce speed with all else equal. And, different (individual) barrel, different bullet, different powder lot, along with different brass.

Yes I know all the differences will contribute. It just seems mine is oddly slow. I'm right at acceptable pressure at 42. When it's warm, like 75-80, I'll get intermittent swipes. I figured seating further out would allow me more velocity than the factory throat. I'll have to check my notes for col... I know it won't fit in standard m mag.

But I can't complain. It's accurate

 

[General RE LEE]

I've got the same barrel, although I throated mine to seat further out. I'm only getting 2985 with 108s and 42gr h4350. Starline brass. It seems to be a bit slow for other bullet and powder combos too. What brass are you using?

“Only getting 2985 with 108s”

lol dude that’s great ballistics. I get 2650 with my 6 ARC and killed 3 deer deader than snot this season.

 

[HighUintas]

“Only getting 2985 with 108s”

lol dude that’s great ballistics. I get 2650 with my 6 ARC and killed 3 deer deader than snot this season.

I guess it's in line with Hornady's load data.... But 2.700 is much shorter than my col. If I shortened it to that I'd be seeing pressure signs even in cold weather, I think.

I don't think that's particularly great ballistics. The 108 has an SD of .261. it's not exactly a heavy for caliber bullet. In comparison to 6cm case volume and taking into account my longer coal, I should be able to go higher than 42gr at 2985. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that it is less than I expected.

 

[The Guide]

View attachment 822977View attachment 822978


I guess it's in line with Hornady's load data.... But 2.700 is much shorter than my col. If I shortened it to that I'd be seeing pressure signs even in cold weather, I think.

I don't think that's particularly great ballistics. The 108 has an SD of .261. it's not exactly a heavy for caliber bullet. In comparison to 6cm case volume and taking into account my longer coal, I should be able to go higher than 42gr at 2985. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that it is less than I expected.

You also have an 8 twist barrel and that data shows it for a 10 twist barrel. Your barrel will build pressure faster and be slower due to more friction from the faster twist. Tikka barrels (in general) are slow but accurate. My 20" barrel is around 2900 with 42 grains @ 2.8" in Starline brass.

Jay

 

[Castle Rock]

I've got the same barrel, although I throated mine to seat further out. I'm only getting 2985 with 108s and 42gr h4350. Starline brass. It seems to be a bit slow for other bullet and powder combos too. What brass are you using?

That is about all you can expect with that combo in 243, but realistically 100 fps more wouldn’t make any difference anyhow
How many rounds on the barrel, mine sped up after a couple of hundred rounds
41.5/ 4350
Note the average velocities below
Now


When new