Load for .243, model 1900 Husqvarna

fairview mick · June 11, 2012, 06:25 PM

I recently purchased a Smith and Wesson .243 built by Husqvarna. It has a 1/14 twist. I'm strictly using hornady 87 grain and 100 btsp. From what I read in the Hornady loading book, the Varget was one of the most accurate, but there is nothing listed for the heavier bullets. Anyone out ther have a good formula for 87 grain and 100 grain bullets using Varget?
Thanks.
Mickey

yoter · June 12, 2012, 09:19 AM

I don't know about Varget, but the 1 in 14 rifling caught my eye. From what I've read, if you want to go heavier in the 243 (95 grains on up) then your going to want a faster rotational rate. 1 in 9 is good for heavier bullets, and 1 in 10 seems to be about standard - and shoots the "medium" (around 85 grains) the best. With a 1 in 14 rate, you might want to try a lighter bullet rather than a heavier one if you accuracy starts to decline.

I'm sorry I can't help on the Varget load, as I have never used that powder. Good luck!

David Bachelder · June 13, 2012, 10:40 AM

Two suggestions.

Hornady 87 gr Vmax over 37.5 grains Varget.
Hornady 95 gr SST over 35 grains Varget

My Remington780 loves both of those loads. I'm .035 off the lands.

Brian Pfleuger · June 13, 2012, 04:49 PM

Long story short, you have almost no chance of stabilizing the 100gr Hornady in a 1:14 barrel and only a slightly better chance with the 87gr.

fairview mick · June 19, 2012, 07:39 PM

The 87 grain wasn't too bad. The 100 grain was at best, 3 inches at 100 yds. I followed the advice ot Yoter, went to 65 gr bullet with 39.1 or Varget and at 200 yds, group was 1 and 1/2 inch with 5 shots.
Thanks for all the help.
Mickey

hooligan1 · June 22, 2012, 07:31 AM

Our Mark X, was made in Zastava, it has a 1- 9.8 inch twist. I find that the 100 grn Sierra GMK's are accurate, and I use Winchester Supreme 780 powder, shoots just under an inch at 100 yds. The rifle has no bedding really, no pillars, or such, it is free floated.

June 11, 2012, 06:25 PM	#1
fairview mick Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2005 Location: North Olmsted Posts: 795	Load for .243, model 1900 Husqvarna I recently purchased a Smith and Wesson .243 built by Husqvarna. It has a 1/14 twist. I'm strictly using hornady 87 grain and 100 btsp. From what I read in the Hornady loading book, the Varget was one of the most accurate, but there is nothing listed for the heavier bullets. Anyone out ther have a good formula for 87 grain and 100 grain bullets using Varget? Thanks. Mickey __________________ 90% of my hard earned money went to Hot women, fast bikes and guns. THE REST I WASTED!!!!! Mickey-NRA life member

June 13, 2012, 10:40 AM	#3
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	Two suggestions. Hornady 87 gr Vmax over 37.5 grains Varget. Hornady 95 gr SST over 35 grains Varget My Remington780 loves both of those loads. I'm .035 off the lands. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

June 13, 2012, 04:49 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Long story short, you have almost no chance of stabilizing the 100gr Hornady in a 1:14 barrel and only a slightly better chance with the 87gr. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

June 19, 2012, 07:39 PM	#5
fairview mick Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2005 Location: North Olmsted Posts: 795	To Brain The 87 grain wasn't too bad. The 100 grain was at best, 3 inches at 100 yds. I followed the advice ot Yoter, went to 65 gr bullet with 39.1 or Varget and at 200 yds, group was 1 and 1/2 inch with 5 shots. Thanks for all the help. Mickey __________________ 90% of my hard earned money went to Hot women, fast bikes and guns. THE REST I WASTED!!!!! Mickey-NRA life member

June 22, 2012, 07:31 AM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Our Mark X, was made in Zastava, it has a 1- 9.8 inch twist. I find that the 100 grn Sierra GMK's are accurate, and I use Winchester Supreme 780 powder, shoots just under an inch at 100 yds. The rifle has no bedding really, no pillars, or such, it is free floated. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

June 12, 2012, 09:19 AM	#2
yoter Member Join Date: September 4, 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 28	I don't know about Varget, but the 1 in 14 rifling caught my eye. From what I've read, if you want to go heavier in the 243 (95 grains on up) then your going to want a faster rotational rate. 1 in 9 is good for heavier bullets, and 1 in 10 seems to be about standard - and shoots the "medium" (around 85 grains) the best. With a 1 in 14 rate, you might want to try a lighter bullet rather than a heavier one if you accuracy starts to decline. I'm sorry I can't help on the Varget load, as I have never used that powder. Good luck!