.243 Winchester - Remington 700 ADL

Published on June 7, 2022
Duration: 20:34

This video details the process of reloading .243 Winchester ammunition for a Remington 700 ADL rifle, focusing on developing a hunting load. The instructor demonstrates case preparation, bullet seating, and initial range testing with two different powders, Stable 6.5 and IMR 4451, while analyzing velocity and group performance. The goal is to create a reliable and accurate hunting round, honoring the original owner's preferred bullet.

Quick Summary

This video details reloading .243 Winchester ammunition for a Remington 700 ADL, focusing on developing a hunting load with 85-grain Sierra Game King bullets. Two powders, Stable 6.5 and IMR 4451, were tested, with IMR 4451 showing better potential for accuracy and consistency despite initial challenges with velocity standard deviations.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Rifle Overview
  2. 00:26Remington 700 ADL .243 Winchester
  3. 00:37Scope and Basic Setup
  4. 00:45Grandfather's Favorite Deer Rifle
  5. 01:04Barrel Twist Rate Discussion
  6. 01:30Sierra Game King 85gr Bullet
  7. 01:42Reloading Powder Selection: Stable 6.5
  8. 02:39Second Powder Choice: IMR 4451
  9. 02:59Primers and Overall Length
  10. 03:17Goal: Usable Hunting Load
  11. 03:47New Brass Preparation
  12. 03:53Sizing Die and Lubrication
  13. 04:48Case Mouth Chamfering & Deburring
  14. 05:56Brass Prep Completion
  15. 06:06Charge Weighing & Bullet Seating Prep
  16. 06:10Hornady Seating Die Setup
  17. 07:00Seating Die Adjustment Change
  18. 07:38Seating Die Locked In
  19. 07:40Target Overall Length: 2.635"
  20. 08:09First Bullet Seated
  21. 08:48Bullet Comparator Measurement
  22. 09:18Final Bullet Seating Check
  23. 09:32Heading to the Range
  24. 09:43Range Setup: Target & Chronograph
  25. 09:59Scope Challenge: 12x Power
  26. 10:24First Shot Results & Velocity
  27. 10:58First Group Analysis (Stable 6.5)
  28. 11:07Velocity Standard Deviation Concerns
  29. 11:30Barrel Heat & Trigger Feel
  30. 11:55Next Load: 44.0 Grains Stable 6.5
  31. 12:04Second Group Analysis (Stable 6.5)
  32. 12:31Horizontal Stringing Issues
  33. 13:03Adjusting Shooting Hold
  34. 13:47Third Group Analysis (Stable 6.5)
  35. 14:01Continued SD Issues with Stable 6.5
  36. 14:24Moving to IMR 4451 Powder
  37. 14:25First Load: 39.5 Grains IMR 4451
  38. 14:48Standard Hold & Focus
  39. 15:03First IMR 4451 Shot & Brass
  40. 15:13Trigger Break Quality
  41. 15:40First IMR 4451 Group Analysis
  42. 15:52SD Still High with IMR 4451
  43. 15:57Next Load: 40.0 Grains IMR 4451
  44. 16:27Second IMR 4451 Group Analysis
  45. 16:34Best Group So Far & SD Improvement
  46. 16:44Final Load: 40.5 Grains IMR 4451
  47. 17:18Final Shot Velocity & SD
  48. 17:24First Range Trip Summary
  49. 17:30Brass Condition Review
  50. 17:51Disappointment with Stable 6.5
  51. 18:08Positive Outlook for IMR 4451
  52. 18:24Future Reloading Plans
  53. 18:33Target Velocity: 3000 FPS
  54. 18:47Brass Annealing & Sizing Strategy
  55. 19:03Exploring Other Powders
  56. 19:24Brass Fire Forming & Annealing Benefits
  57. 19:32Primer Considerations
  58. 19:49Next Video Preview
  59. 20:11Shop Marker Electronic Target System
  60. 20:26Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key components for reloading .243 Winchester ammunition in this video?

This video focuses on reloading .243 Winchester using 85-grain Sierra Game King bullets. Two powders, Stable 6.5 and IMR 4451, are tested, along with Winchester WLR primers. The target overall cartridge length is 2.635 inches.

What were the main challenges encountered during the .243 Winchester load development?

The primary challenge was high standard deviations in velocity with Stable 6.5 powder, indicating inconsistent burn. The instructor also noted issues with horizontal stringing due to scope reticle size and barrel heat management.

Which powder showed more promise for accurate .243 Winchester loads in this test?

IMR 4451 demonstrated more promise for accurate .243 Winchester loads. While initial results were mixed, one load achieved a standard deviation of 15.2 fps, a significant improvement over Stable 6.5, suggesting better consistency.

What are the next steps planned for improving the .243 Winchester reloads?

Future steps include annealing the fire-formed brass, potentially using an expanding mandrel, exploring different primers (like Federal), and aiming for higher velocities closer to the original owner's loads (around 3000 fps) to achieve a fuller case and better SD.

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