243 and reloaded 17. Thinking 75 vmax

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predatorpatrol

New member
I am wondering if any of u have In load data for the re 17? I have seen several times where it has been said to use 4350 data but I’m not sure of that. I looked at Alliant sight and it showed data for Speer. I am thinking about shooting the 75 vmax. I would be open to other suggestions on bullets for coyotes in the 75 to 87 grain range.

Thanks for any help
 
RL17 is a double based powder which will torch a throat quite a bit faster than a single based. 243 is a overbore barrel burner as it is. Combine the two and you’re probably looking at 800-1000 rounds of barrel life. After roaching a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel in less than 1500 rounds with RL17 I decided to never use it again.

H4350 is about the perfect burn rate for 70-90gr bullets out of a 243 and other 6mm’s with similar capacity. It still works for lighter and heavier bullets but for lighter something like Varget will work better and for heavies H4831 works great as well as H1000 but H1000 requires a 26”+ tube to get the performance out of it.

For what you’re looking for H4350 is by far the best choice. It’s the perfect burn rate and it’s by far the most temperature stable powder in that range. There are others that will work too, and there are a lot of other powders I’d choose over RL17.
 
I have had good luck with the 4064 I am currently using it with the 80gr Sierra blitz. Yesterday was first chance I have had to go hunt. Went to 3 spots. Called in single hit little low behind shoulder coyote took off running died in about 75 yards. Entry hole was size of a 8 inch gong a lot of splash. Called in single hit in chest no entry or exit drt. Second coyote came behind it could see it as well it was peaking. Hit little low is my guess knocked it down it jumped up spinning got away but there was a little brush that it went behind so could see how it escaped. Giant pools blood aground where it spun but no blood when it left. I am not saying it was bad shots. But the Sierra 80 blitz seems a little 2 exsplosive for my liking. This why I am searching for different bullet. I am use to drt.
 
80g Sierra Blitz BT

Work up to 41.5g of IMR 4064, Fed 210, Win or Rem brass, touch the lands with the bullet or no more than .003 off the lands for best accuracy.

Start at 39.5g and work up.

Velocity will be 3400 fps

39.5g of IMR 4064, fed 210 primer with 70g ballistic tips works well on coyotes.
 
If less explosive is what you want don't consider the 75 gr. V-Max. Take a hard look at the 85 gr. Sierra HPBT GK.
 
Originally Posted By: predatorpatrolThanks for the response. For some reason I’m a speed freak. That’s only reason I was thinking rl17.

I assure you that the 75fps or so you'll see over H4350 isn't worth cutting your barrel life nearly in half. You nor the critters will know the difference.
 
I have had good luck with 58 grain vmax in 6x6.8 and 6x45. Goes in don’t come out dead right there. I would use it but wanting something with a little better bc is why I decide I might try 75.
 
In my 6mm rem I shoot a Barnes TTSX BT with a 0.331 B.C and IMR 8208 xbr and get 3600+ fps out of a 26" barrel
 
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I shoot a .243 as well and the only real advantage outside of high winds (15+ mph) the 75’s have is getting closer to the lands in long throated rifles. Or If you’re not poking at shots farther than 500 yards outside of that you won’t see the advantage of the B.C. With 55’s my winter load runs 4210 without any issues with some Varget lit by a Remington 9 1/2. With the velocity gain you’ll see a big difference 100-500 yards. I’m no expert I’m just sharing my experience. But if you insist on speed with 75’s three powders I’ve used that with the chrono that yielded best results out of my gun we’re RL-15,H414, and Superformance.


Quick note 55 grain Nosler BT Varmint are the bullets I’m referencing
 
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That's a super deal. I may have to get some to try in my .243 AI. I have found some reduced loads that my gun really likes that I want to try on our local ground squirrels and I bet these would work good for those as well.

Thanks for sending that on.
 
Well now u got me thinking. So really I am trying to defy wind a little as I live in Kansas. Most my shots are in the 100 yard range and I have killed boat load coyotes with the 58’s. I guess I am looking for a bullet that I can dial up o. That less than optimal day where it’s cool out but not cold coyotes just peaking around at 350 to 400 yards. Or that coyote that I has no intrest steps out at 400 yards sits down and is just gonna watch. I’d like to have a chance at tipping Him over. So u think my 58’s running 4000 or so might be answer.
 
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Believe it or not the 55’s at 400 yards will have more energy and speed. I’d say 95% of the time I don’t have exits and they’re usually not going far if anywhere at all. I don’t shoot much past 400 and if I do my job I don’t have to worry about anything
 
RL17 seems to have a love it or hate it following. I shoot it in many rifles and don't have a problem with it.


Maybe the game has changed but I've always been told speed trumps BC inside of 400 yards. My thinking is fairly good BC and the fastest accurate load wins the day. If past 400 is in the daily bread,go high BC and dope as needed.
 
Originally Posted By: Redneckbmxer24If you want to defy wind, BC is your friend, not velocity. Pick the highest BC bullet your twist can handle, develop a loaded and send it.

Let’s lay this scenario out as to why that’s false in this case of inside 500 yards. Please do not take this as I’m being abrasive this is for educational purposes.

Conditions are 15 mph crosswind both loads zeroed at 100 yards and both are load data available to the public.

55 grain Nosler BT Varmint B.C of .276 muzzle velocity of 4058

100 y 1.1779 inches drift 3626 FPS Drop 0.0. Energy 1605
200 y 4.7966 inches. Drift 3236 FPS Drop 1.1638 Energy 1279
300 y 11.2395 inches drift 2879 FPS Drop 5.6633 Energy 1012
400 y 20.9604 inches. Drift 2550 FPS Drop 14.3797 Energy 794
500 y 34.5618 inches drift 2244 FPS Drop 28.4759 Energy 615

Now 75 V Max B.C of .330 muzzle velocity of 3450

100 y 1.1792. Drift 3134 FPS Drop 0.0 Energy 1635
200 y 4.7745. Drift 2841 FPS Drop 2.0673 Energy 1344
300 y 11.1580. Drift 2566 FPS Drop 8.4544 Energy 1096
400 y 20.7538. Drift 2308 FPS Drop 20.1436 Energy 887
500 y 34.0957 drift 2064 FPS Drop 38.3933 Energy 709


Now one note I’ll add to this before people start with the 75 has more energy at longer range. I won’t disagree as it clearly does. But the bullets we use require speed to do as they’re designed and faster bullets expand faster, thus delivering more energy. So the 55’s from what I’ve seen do this more consistently.
 
Originally Posted By: JayOriginally Posted By: Redneckbmxer24If you want to defy wind, BC is your friend, not velocity. Pick the highest BC bullet your twist can handle, develop a loaded and send it.

Let’s lay this scenario out as to why that’s false in this case of inside 500 yards. Please do not take this as I’m being abrasive this is for educational purposes.

Conditions are 15 mph crosswind both loads zeroed at 100 yards and both are load data available to the public.

55 grain Nosler BT Varmint B.C of .276 muzzle velocity of 4058

100 y 1.1779 inches drift 3626 FPS Drop 0.0. Energy 1605
200 y 4.7966 inches. Drift 3236 FPS Drop 1.1638 Energy 1279
300 y 11.2395 inches drift 2879 FPS Drop 5.6633 Energy 1012
400 y 20.9604 inches. Drift 2550 FPS Drop 14.3797 Energy 794
500 y 34.5618 inches drift 2244 FPS Drop 28.4759 Energy 615

Now 75 V Max B.C of .330 muzzle velocity of 3450

100 y 1.1792. Drift 3134 FPS Drop 0.0 Energy 1635
200 y 4.7745. Drift 2841 FPS Drop 2.0673 Energy 1344
300 y 11.1580. Drift 2566 FPS Drop 8.4544 Energy 1096
400 y 20.7538. Drift 2308 FPS Drop 20.1436 Energy 887
500 y 34.0957 drift 2064 FPS Drop 38.3933 Energy 709


Now one note I’ll add to this before people start with the 75 has more energy at longer range. I won’t disagree as it clearly does. But the bullets we use require speed to do as they’re designed and faster bullets expand faster, thus delivering more energy. So the 55’s from what I’ve seen do this more consistently.


First of all, your own data clearly shows the 75’s having less wind drift and that’s what my comment was about because the OP said he wanted to defy wind. The different between those two bullets is as negligible as it gets but the data does show the 75 drifting less. You also picked about the highest velocity that you can get out of the 55gr and a lower velocity for the 75.

Second, the 75 vmax doesn’t have a high BC and is not the bullet I would suggest running if you want to defy wind. Run the numbers for a 90gr Lapua Scenar at 3300 and a 95gr Berger Classic hunter at 3250 in the same conditions. Either of those bullets will stabilize in even a 1:10 twist and have about the best BC you’re going to find that any old 243 will stabilize. If you have a faster twist then there’s even better bullet choices for BC.
 
Ok first off thanks for all the info u guys have been great. So of the guys that shoot or have shoot the lighter bullets. Say at 400 yards have u had any splashes at that distance with lighter bullets. Especially talking about the 55 grain nosler bt. I am leaning towards trying them. The reason I was thinking rl 17 is it looked like I could get velocity up with the mid weight bullets. I just worry about the 55 at say 400 having enough weight to penetrate very well. I have on hand.

Nosler
55 and 70 bt, and 55 vermgedon

Hornady
58,75, 87, vmax
I think 75 , 87 hollow point

Sierra
60,and 80 blitz

I shot a 223 with 55v max and shot 5 coyotes one day only recovered 3 all tip over jumped up run off the 3 there where found had giant holes but a lot splash. I shot 3 the other day with 80 grain blitz and 2 run off. Reminded me of that.
I just want a dry bullet out to 400 if I do my part. Like I said 90 percent of what I shoot are less than hundred and 50 percent that is 50 yards.
 
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