22-243 Middlestead

C

CharlieinCO

New member
New to the forum but not new to hunting and reloading. Just acquired a 22-243 Midd on a Rem action, Douglas barrel with 28" 1 in 10 twist. Along with the rifle came Redding dies and 145 loaded rounds. 60 gr Hornady Vmax over 45.5 gars of H 4350 approx 4000 fps. Rifle shoots very nice groups except noticed that some of the bullets were not reaching the paper at 100 yds and the bullets that were made some interesting smudges on the paper. These were nice round holes with no indication of key holing. Do the Vmaxs not like 4k fps? Also what is the max weight the 1-10 twist will stabilize at 22-243 velocities?
 
The bullets are destructing in flight. Those little smudges are the jacket starting to rupture. You will need a thicker jacket bullet like a Nosler. I should do up to 69's if the velocity is high. I blow up 50 VMAX at 3750 and an 8 twist.

Greg
 
Several things to remember, as a barrel gets a tad bit of wear on it, the bore surface becomes very erosive to the bullet jacket.

I would go on a mad dog hunt for 60g Bergers which are great on coyotes, second would be the 60g Nosler.

60's at 4000??? I got to have one!!!

Some years ago, I shot a bobcat in half at 100 yards with a 65g Berger(no longer made) with a MV of 3700 fps out of a 27" 22/250 AI standing on the gas petal.
 
Even uber-smooth barrels blow them up. My barrel had five rounds through it before it bew up the first one. Shot #2 was a comet trail target. I hava few pictures if the phenomenon.

Greg
 
I hope to have a 22-243 Winchester by the end if the week. It is 1:8 26" Krieger barrel. The plan is to push a 75 A-Max as hard as i can accurately.
Try slowing them down some. Or like others mentioned go to a different bullet.
 
I would give hornady tech line a call. Sierra bulletsmiths will tell you the max speed a bullet will take with a given twist. Hornady should be able to do the same.

That said, i would move up in weight to the 69 sierra matchking or even the tipped version if the twist will allow. Sierra will be able to help you there too.
 
Originally Posted By: CharlieinCOYes, but he has passed on . Why do you ask?

I know a smith out your way that has built a bunch of Middlestead rifles. Just wondering, they more popular out west.
 
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isn't a middlestead just the 30 degree angle of the shoulder...?

a regular shoulder being 28 degrees... and a Ackley Improved being a 40 degree...?

It seems to me that a AI would be the better route to take.

I can also see a 60 gr bullet easily hitting 4000 fps
 
Originally Posted By: dan brothersisn't a middlestead just the 30 degree angle of the shoulder...?

a regular shoulder being 28 degrees... and a Ackley Improved being a 40 degree...?

It seems to me that a AI would be the better route to take.

I can also see a 60 gr bullet easily hitting 4000 fps

Standard angle is 20 degrees. The Mid just goes to 30 and gives a longer neck.

Greg
 
Ive compared cases capacity between Middlestead and Winchester andnfound VERY little difference.
Middlestead is longer neck, 30* shoulder and slightly straighter sides vs. the Winchester.
Hope to have mine in a couple days.
 
Originally Posted By: dan brothersisn't a middlestead just the 30 degree angle of the shoulder...?

a regular shoulder being 28 degrees... and a Ackley Improved being a 40 degree...?

It seems to me that a AI would be the better route to take.

I talked with Dave Kiff about this, at length, a few years ago and he was of the opinion anything more than about 37.5 degree shoulder angle resulted in diminishing returns. Most of the newer developed stuff with "improved" cases tends to be 30 or 35 degree shoulder angle.
 
Originally Posted By: CharlieinCOGL Shooter
The holes looked exactly like that one with the smudge.

I was stumped until I started counting four bullets in five shot groups. It is spectacular when they hit a PD at that rotational speed and velocity.

Greg
 
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