Kimber 243
- Thread starter Pruson
- Start date
I load them for my buddy Tim's .243 and they are also what I use in my 6-284.
For the .243, Tim's rifle likes both H380 and Varget. With both producing 4K fps. Slight accuracy edge to the H380, but have mostly used Varget anyway - partly for temp stability and partly because I always have an 8 lb jug of it sitting around somewhere.
I'd have to check notes for OAL. But there ain't no reaching the lands in his rifle with that bullet. No way. I shoot them in firm contact with the lands in mine though.
- DAA
For the .243, Tim's rifle likes both H380 and Varget. With both producing 4K fps. Slight accuracy edge to the H380, but have mostly used Varget anyway - partly for temp stability and partly because I always have an 8 lb jug of it sitting around somewhere.
I'd have to check notes for OAL. But there ain't no reaching the lands in his rifle with that bullet. No way. I shoot them in firm contact with the lands in mine though.
- DAA
varminter .223
Well-known member
Just tried some h4895 and 55 ballistic tips in a buddy's Savage and it shot great. It is a 22-inch Barrel and I think we calculated it just a little over 3,800 feet per second. It was a little bit under max load on the bottle but I don't recall the exact recipe. I've got a 243 Axis II XP that I picked up cheap that's supposed to be in Saturday I'm going to test that load in.
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My Montana 243 was one of the toughest rifles I have ever shot to get to shoot well consistently. Most of it was the nut behind the bolt. Being so light weight, it let me see every mistake in my system. I use to load H414, 55 ballistic tips, & Fed 210's at plus 4000 FPS. It was a country mile away from the lands. I used Nosler's OAL. It was a joy to carry, but other rifles are much easier for me to hit reliably with.
I would suggest using a powder that is much more temp insensitive than H414. I used it, but I always had to tune it. No matter where I hit the coyote [beeep], he was always anchored. Every single time. I am a much better reloader these days. I use to have fliers. I had it rerbarreld with a Douglas 1-12. For what ever reason, the Douglas was hundreds of feet slower than the factory. And it wouldn't group the 55's!
I would suggest using a powder that is much more temp insensitive than H414. I used it, but I always had to tune it. No matter where I hit the coyote [beeep], he was always anchored. Every single time. I am a much better reloader these days. I use to have fliers. I had it rerbarreld with a Douglas 1-12. For what ever reason, the Douglas was hundreds of feet slower than the factory. And it wouldn't group the 55's!
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Dultimatpredator
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: 243kimber My Montana 243 was one of the toughest rifles I have ever shot to get to shoot well consistently. Most of it was the nut behind the bolt. Being so light weight, it let me see every mistake in my system. I use to load H414, 55 ballistic tips, & Fed 210's at plus 4000 FPS. It was a country mile away from the lands. I used Nosler's OAL. It was a joy to carry, but other rifles are much easier for me to hit reliably with.
I would suggest using a powder that is much more temp insensitive than H414. I used it, but I always had to tune it. No matter where I hit the coyote [beeep], he was always anchored. Every single time. I am a much better reloader these days. I use to have fliers. I had it rerbarreld with a Douglas 1-12. For what ever reason, the Douglas was hundreds of feet slower than the factory. And it wouldn't group the 55's!
From what I hear it’s more on the rifle. I have a buddy who’s a smith. Before he opened his shop he worked for a sporting goods store about 12 years ago that stopped carrying kimber rifles because 99% percent of them came back with customer complaints for accuracy issues. The claimed sub MOA rifles were shooting 2 to 3 inch plus MOA out of the box. After the rifles came back from the factory it was his job to test them of course. This Smith who I’ve seen shoot .2” MOA at 200 yards several times told me the average “factory repaired” kimber that came back that he tested still shot 1.4” at best on average. I was reminded the other day when I almost bought one. I’m sure the kimber lovers will flame over this post.
I would suggest using a powder that is much more temp insensitive than H414. I used it, but I always had to tune it. No matter where I hit the coyote [beeep], he was always anchored. Every single time. I am a much better reloader these days. I use to have fliers. I had it rerbarreld with a Douglas 1-12. For what ever reason, the Douglas was hundreds of feet slower than the factory. And it wouldn't group the 55's!
From what I hear it’s more on the rifle. I have a buddy who’s a smith. Before he opened his shop he worked for a sporting goods store about 12 years ago that stopped carrying kimber rifles because 99% percent of them came back with customer complaints for accuracy issues. The claimed sub MOA rifles were shooting 2 to 3 inch plus MOA out of the box. After the rifles came back from the factory it was his job to test them of course. This Smith who I’ve seen shoot .2” MOA at 200 yards several times told me the average “factory repaired” kimber that came back that he tested still shot 1.4” at best on average. I was reminded the other day when I almost bought one. I’m sure the kimber lovers will flame over this post.
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Coyotejunki
Well-known member
Wow, I only have 4 of them and all of them shot MOA or better @ 100 yards with reloads. I must be really lucky.
Coyotejunki
Well-known member
With bullets under 70 gr, I have had luck with IMR 3031.
Pruson, rpm, throat geometry, play a huge part of the accuracy issue.
55's, Varget seems to be a hands down winner.
I would not loose much patience on the 55 if your throat is a country mile long. 75g Sierra HP and Sierra 80g Blitz are magic with Varget and IMR 4064.
243's just massacre coyotes, pick a bullet.
55's, Varget seems to be a hands down winner.
I would not loose much patience on the 55 if your throat is a country mile long. 75g Sierra HP and Sierra 80g Blitz are magic with Varget and IMR 4064.
243's just massacre coyotes, pick a bullet.
BOWLSEYE
New member
H380 has been accurate with 58 V-max, 55 Noslers have done well with H4895, Varget and RL15. 70 & 75 grain bullets with Hybrid 100 accurate also. Google Cooper rifle accuracy loads and I think you will see H380 listed for the test loads. You may get better accuracy out of a lower velocity load but SH%t happens.