.243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

.243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by Flyer » 17 Jan 2017, 10:29 pm

Got some chrono results for my .243 Sako today (22.5" barrel 1-in-9.75 measured twist). All load data is with ADI 2209 powder and real velocities are probably 20fps higher than measured, as the chrono was set up 10m from the muzzle. Average of three shots and loads were fairly consistent with minimum 4fps and maximum 32fps spread (most around 10-15fps).

* Please note that some of these loads are above ADI's recommended maximum (where data is available), but all were worked up prior to chronoing.

Sierra Tipped Match King 95gr (BC .500)
40.5gr = 3034 fps
42.5gr = 3128 fps
44.1gr = 3212 fps (this was the only load that showed signs of pressure, with slight bulging of one of the primers - it ran as fast as 3229fps)

Sierra Game King 100gr (BC .430)
39.5gr = 3001 fps
40.5gr = 3056 fps
41.5gr = 3100 fps

Hornady V-max 87gr (BC .400)
43gr = 3194 fps
43.5gr = 3223 fps
44gr = 3234 fps
44.5gr = 3277 fps
45gr = 3287 fps

The Tipped Match Kings were way ahead in terms of retained energy, showing 1040ft/lb of energy at 500m - about 200ft/lb above anything else(!) - and slightly better than the 87gr V-maxes in terms of trajectory out to 500m (200m zero).

EDIT: Put in precise averages instead of rounding up/down.
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Re: .243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by bobnob » 18 Jan 2017, 5:12 am

What was accuracy like Flyer?

The TMK should be a good one with those speeds and nice BC...
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Re: .243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by on_one_wheel » 18 Jan 2017, 7:19 am

Good results.

I'm running Sierra Game King 100g in my .243 but I'm yet to chronograph them.
Judging by my rifles consistency I'd say that the speeds are prety consistent.

One of these days I'll buy a chronograph. I'm always on the lookout for a second hand one.
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Re: .243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by Flyer » 18 Jan 2017, 7:24 am

I've been having a few bedding issues with the rifle, but when it behaves itself, the most accurate loads I've tested so far have been the TMK 40.5gr and Game King 39.5gr. The TMK is still very accurate (sub MOA) at 42.5gr and 44gr, while the Game King 40.5gr load is very close to the 39.5gr load. I haven't tested the V-max for accuracy yet, but shot a friend's V-max loads (43.3gr of RL17) through my rifle and they were also sub-MOA (about .750").

You can see examples of groups here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7221

The Tipped Match Kings are stable out to 500m in my standard twist Sako.
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Re: .243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by bobnob » 20 Jan 2017, 5:27 am

Yeah I reckon they'd keep stable way out past 1km. Thanks.

You have most bases covered; the 100 SGK for pigs and deer, the 95 TMK for long range and the 87 Vmax for pests and fun!
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Re: .243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by Flyer » 20 Jan 2017, 8:26 pm

This is my metallic silhouette rifle, so I was really looking for an accurate load that will knock rams down at 500m. The 44gr TMKs seem to do it, while the SGKs are not quite as reliable. They will knock a ram down if you hit it in the right place, but if you hit low, or if there is a wind blowing from behind the target, the SGKs sometimes have trouble putting them down. But I agree they are a much better hunting bullet than the frangible TMKs.

Image
Found this .223 comparison pic here: http://www.predatormastersforums.com/fo ... 7&page=all

L-R: 65gr Game King, 69gr Match King, 69gr Tipped Match King, 55gr V-Max
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Re: .243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by bobnob » 21 Jan 2017, 5:26 am

The retained energy of the TMK due to their better BC is at work on those steel rams. Shame your twist probably rules out the 105g Amax and Hornady 105 BTHP.

The 90g Lapua Scenar might be worth a look if you can locate them. They can be launched fast and have a very good BC too. Will stabilise in a 1-10 as well.
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Re: .243 Chronoed: 95gr TMK, 100gr Game King, 87gr V-max

Post by Flyer » 22 Jan 2017, 4:23 pm

Berger does an 87gr VLD hunting round (HPBT) with a BC of .427, which is good for maybe 55ftlb of energy over the 87gr V-max at 500m, but still 150ftlb down on the TMK - and only just as stable (see below).

I ran a few projectiles past the JBM calculator to see what should stabilise in my standard twist barrel, and the 95gr TMK seemed to be right on the money. With a .150" plastic tip and 1.170" projectile length, it came up much more stable (on paper, anyway) than the 95gr Berger VLDs etc.

Here's the calculator: http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmstab-5.1.cgi

And here's a good resource on projectile length: http://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics ... gths.shtml

I looked at the 105 A-max - and have heard of them stabilising in 1-9 twists - but they have the same BC as the TMK for less speed.

On paper at least, the 95gr TMK seems to be better than anything else out there for a standard twist .243. The only downside is the price: $80 per 100 :?
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