ruger243223
New member
Is anyone shooting one of these. What kind of information can you give me. What velocitys can I expect with 65-70gr Bullets. What kind of barrel life?. Thanks HAPPY HUNTING
22-243 Middlestead AI
- Thread starter ruger243223
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mulie03
New member
I shot against some guys in OK shooting these at long range steel matches,they seem do great, even at long range. If i remember right the guy who was shooting one was running 75 gr bullets at about 3500fps!!!!!! I expect barrel life would be 700-1200 rounds depending on how you drive it. if your interested in building one give this guy a call he builds lots of them for western Oklahoma guys.
http://newmanprecision.com/index.html
http://newmanprecision.com/index.html
Im in the process of building a 22-243 Middlestead right now. I am only in the begining stages, and dont know alot about them. I plan to shoot 80 or 90 grain bullets, and desperatly need some reloading data. Right now I an fire forming brass with 55 grain bullets. I googled 22-243 to get some websites with some reloading data. Good luck!
IDBob
New member
Here's a note on the Middlestead from another forum.
In The Varmint Hunter Magazine issue #29 on page 25 starts the review of VHA Custom Gun Project #12 22/243 Middlestead. Here is a para-phrase from the article. Paul Middlestead wanted a cartridge bigger than the swift but smaller than the 22/243 ackley.He left the body/shoulder junction alone and die formed the neck well back into the shoulder. Once the die forming and fire forming was complete the shoulder is now 30 degrees. this cartridge proved easy to load for after all of the die forming and fire forming is completed. "This case is a real pain in the but to make, however,and I remain unconvinced that the middlestead version is superior in any way to the straight 22/243,22/243 ackley, or the 220Swift Ackley." It was also stated in the article that one of the Steve Timms contacts stated that the 22/243 middlestead looks like a 22br lengthened 1/2 inch from the rear. I personally would go with the 22/243 Ackley to gain more velocity and to help reduce bolt thrust and reduce the trimming requirements. hope this clears some thing up for you.
In The Varmint Hunter Magazine issue #29 on page 25 starts the review of VHA Custom Gun Project #12 22/243 Middlestead. Here is a para-phrase from the article. Paul Middlestead wanted a cartridge bigger than the swift but smaller than the 22/243 ackley.He left the body/shoulder junction alone and die formed the neck well back into the shoulder. Once the die forming and fire forming was complete the shoulder is now 30 degrees. this cartridge proved easy to load for after all of the die forming and fire forming is completed. "This case is a real pain in the but to make, however,and I remain unconvinced that the middlestead version is superior in any way to the straight 22/243,22/243 ackley, or the 220Swift Ackley." It was also stated in the article that one of the Steve Timms contacts stated that the 22/243 middlestead looks like a 22br lengthened 1/2 inch from the rear. I personally would go with the 22/243 Ackley to gain more velocity and to help reduce bolt thrust and reduce the trimming requirements. hope this clears some thing up for you.
Heres a couple of pics of my 22-243 ackley. I shoot 75, 80, and 90 gr Bergers in this. The target is of two 80's and 2 90's to the same point of impact. I shot my deer at 385 yds. last fall with an 80 grain Berger. Buck hit through both lungs, made mush out of them. Traveled about ten paces after shot. No exit. I was pretty happy. Next time I think I'll try the 90's. I have used only H1000 powder so far. Good luck, D
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That target looks awesome! I am fire forming right now with 55 grn bullets out of an old barrel, but plan to shoot either 80 or 90 grn bergers or JLK's, when I get the 7 twist barrel on. What twist barrel is yours, and what velocities are you getting out of the 80's and 90's? I really need some load data. Thanks, and I hope I can get mine to shoot like that!!!
Jeremiah, My barrel is an 8 twist 28" Kreiger. I am getting 3500fps plus a little out of the 80's and do not know on the 90's. Have not chronographed them yet. I am having to figure out load data as I go, H1000 produced good results to start with so I'm pretty happy. I may try some 7828, rl22 and 25, and possibly some Western Magnum.
Dasher, Thanks for the quick reply! I really like the looks of those groups, and will definetly start with something close to what you are doing, when I get the new barrel put on. The only difference is that I went with the Middlestead instead of The AI. Have you done much shooting at longer yardages yet, just wondering what kind of groups you have been getting? Anyways thanks again, and keep me posted with your results and/or any new data you come up with. By the way, great looking gun, like the Nightforce!