Maltise

I AM USING HORNADY 165 GRAIN BULLETS IN MY 243 FULL STOCK M77 AND CAN,T SEEM TO GET GOOD GROUPINGS. DOES ANYONE USE A DIFFERENT MAKE OR LOAD IN THERE 243 AND GET TIGHT GROUPINGS?

THANKS

rj308

A 165 grain bullet in .243 caliber would be a mighty looooooong bullet. I thought the heaviest .243 bullets were 105 grains, maybe a few grains heavier. If your rifle is a .243, check the bullet weight of your cartridges again.

GaCop

I had an International in 30-06 and it was inaccurate with any load I tried in it no matter what bullet weight. That includes factory and handloads. I sold it in disgust. The best it would group was 2.5" at 100 yards.

Tom

trigger creep

Somehting doesn't sound right here, the heaviest bullet available for the .243 is the 115 grain Berger VLD. You better check again, either you meant .308 Win or your bullet weight is likely a 105. The .243 doesn't have a twist rate even CLOSE to being able to handle a 165 grain bullet.

Maltise

Sorry guys pressed the wrong button, it,s 105 grains and they are all over the place. Would 85 grains be any better or maybe a different manufacture?

Thanks

Ruger Redhawk

I have found with the M77's and most guns it's a matter of trial and error. One rifle might like one type ammo and an identical rifle might not like it. I tried Federal 150gr Premium in my M77 MKII 7mm Mag. It was all over the place. I bought the fairly inexpensive 150 gr Rem Core Lokts and it shot allot better. I now use the Winchester 150gr Supreme Silver Ballistic Tips. I would suggest buying different brands, different bullet types and try different weight projectiles. I have several of the M77 MKII's. I wouldn't call any of them tack drivers but more than accurate enough for hunting.

Tater

I agree. Try a wide variety of ammo.

My 44 Mag lever gun was particularly choosy. Groups went from 4-6 MOA to 2.5 MOA by simply switching brands. All were the same 240 grain JSP, just different brands.

bluesman

I have an M77 international in 6.5x55 swede that really did not shoot well. I relieved a spot of pressure in the stock where the wood was touching the barrel near the nose cap and my groups shrunk considerably with factory ammo. Now I reload for it and it will shoot into an inch at 100 yards easily.
Bear in mind that the barrels on these are thin and they get real hot after 3 rounds. Once mine gets hot, the groups open way up.

trigger creep

Try EVERYTHING. Controlled Round Feed's and any lightweight barreled guns have a tendency to be very picky, Ruger's included. Me and my dad currently have 3 CRF rifles, all of which are picky about what they like. Try everything you can afford/find and likely it will like something.

Maltise

Thanks Guys for the input. I have ordered 4 boxes of ammo. Nosler & Hornady 55 & 58 Gr & 85 & 90 Gr. I,ll keep you informed.

Lone Star

If you felt the need for 105 grain bullets, try 100 grainers in several brands. You shouldn't drop down to a varmint weight bullet if you use the .243 for larger game.

If you want to shoot 55 grain bullets, do it in a .223! Or, a .22/250.

Maltise

I hear ya Lone Star, at this point I am just looking to get on target@ 50,100 & 200 yds. I figure the lower grain will have close to the same caricturistics as the 90 & 100 grain rounds. Once I know I,m sighted in then I will go to the bigger loads. Besides I already ordered the smaller rounds. I can use them on yots and dogs.

advaitin

Get the rifle looked at by a good gunsmith. Chances are you need adjustment to the way the barrel contacts the stock, as someone said earlier. Full wood stocks look pretty, but bring a host of potential problems.

Maltise

The barrel is fully bedded so I didn,t think that would be a problem.

Meeteetse

My International in .308 likes the same 165 grain bullet your .243 likes. . . . lol

Took a while but I found my gun liked boat tail bullets in medium weight for the caliber. Nothing fancy about the load or the bullet, but apparently the barrel twist likes 165 gr. bullets.