finally built my .243 lbc

[aftcg]

Started with a 20" BHW barrel of course.
Mega upper and lower (ambi bolt release)
PRI carbon fiber fore end and full length rail
Magpul UBR and MOE+ pistol grip.

I still need gas block, buffer and spring, plus of course optics




I'll post more as I get it done and get some groups punched.

[The Wolverine]

Sweet looking fire stick. You are going to love it.

My 243LBC is the most accurate rifle I own, and I have two sniper rifles that I have multiple thousands of dollars in, and the 243LBC out shoots them.

I just need more time to shoot it, and work up some loads, my deer and hog round is covered (100gr Partition), but I need to load some 58gr V-max and cull some of the coyotes around here.

Paul

[letaz77]

That is just BEAUTIFUL....what gas block are you going to use?

[aftcg]

I got the rest of the pieces last night. I went with a Rainier low profile gas block.

I was tempted to get a PRI gas block with the folding front sight, but honestly this is a hunting rifle and back up iron sights would just be posing, and add $200+ to the build that could go towards glass.

I've got a set of Redding 6ppc competition dies showing up soon, and brass on the way. I'm rubbing my palms together in anticipation.

[aftcg]

Thought I'd add a few pics of the completed rifle, having shot it a bit.

[GLSHOOTER]

Does it shoot as good as it looks?

Greg

[aftcg]

Sadly, no

I just got back from the range. I've now put 150 rounds through it and I've yet to find a group that makes me smile.

I haven't measured the groups from today yet but there are two groups that are maybe 1.1-1.25" five shot groups (100 yards).

87 Vmax perched on 8208 per your recipe is one of those groups.

The other bullet showing some promise is the Barnes 85 TSX, at around the same group size as the 87 Vmax.

I got one group of 95 Berger VLD on 8208 and it has three rounds touching and two that spread out to around 2". Another with a slightly higher charge is all at 2". I can load downward from there and see what happens, but I'm curious what is happening. No flattened primers or any other sign of pressure.


58 Vmax = not impressed
70 Sierra blitzking = not impressed
70 Nosler BT = not impressed
85 Sierra Gameking = not impressed.

I'm scratching my head. I know how to shoot and I know how to reload. The two "flyers" with the 95 VLD were not called shots, they should have been money.

My 16" AR in .223 with a WOA barrel will shoot as well as this .243 lbc, and it has a compact ACOG on it.

My Sako .22ppc will shoot under .5" all day and occasionally under 1/4". My 700 in .243 turns in spectacular groups on a consistent basis.

I mean it's not like 1.1" is a complete joke, but so far it's not worth the money I paid for the barrel.

My barrel nut is torqued properly, my bolt and barrel came together from BHW, I'm using excellent components in my build.

I clean it using a bore guide, I allow it to cool.

Ideas?

Edit: I'm going to add that it does cycle and fire with 100% reliability thus far

[GLSHOOTER]

Looks like a real conundrum. What seating depth are you using?

Consider H4895 and RL 15 for a run at it.

Greg

[aftcg]

I started with RL15 because it's what I had laying around. Nothing shocking there. I've got 4895 so I'll try that next.

I seated the Berger 95 VLD at 2.257", the Barnes TSX at 2.170 and the rest at 2.176". I think I got that number off the 6mm AR page.

[Deleted]

I am out of town right now so I don't have access to my notes. IIRC the seating depth for the 58 is 2.133-2.135 I have found this cartridge likes to be right at the lands. Experiment with seating depth. It sounds like the accuracy is in there you just have to find it.

[clyancey]

Well, the rifle looks great! As for your load development, keep at it. I've been working on my 20 LBC, and while I have more than 450 rounds through it with only marginal success, I can say that I have learned a lot and still have plenty of other combinations to try!

[aftcg]

450 rounds and you haven't hit pay dirt yet? That's disappointing.

These lbc rounds were reported to be inherently accurate, and being so closely related to the 6ppc and 22ppc, etc they should be relatively easy to make small holes with.

I'm now to 200 rounds and have yet to break 3/4" and I'm mostly 1.5" and sometimes it's just embarrassing to collect my target using the "known loads" that are supposed to produce bug holes.

My M1A was as consistent as this and it was rack grade. I've built several ARs and they all shoot as well or better than this rifle and certainly more consistently.

Not giving up yet, just saying I'm not thrilled.

[pasttense]

I have no experience with the 243lbc yet however the easiest bullets to get good groups with are generally flat base in 243 Winchester my best groups have come with 85gr Sierra sp. not a great BC. but a lot of smack to 300 and change . if you are dedicated to the bullets you have check your crimp . a feed ramp bumping your bullets out alignment will cause all kinds of difficulties. Paul

[Deleted]

very nice AR in deed.

[aftcg]

I appreciate the compliment. I have mostly been posting about my success/failures in this thread:

www.blackholeweaponry.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wildcatting&action=display&thread=880

As you'll read there, I've decided to get a high end single stage trigger but other than that I'm happy with the rifle. I still need to buy a scope so I can put this one back on the rifle I stole it from.

That's an interesting comment about feed ramps deflecting the bullet tip. I might run a test and chamber some rounds and then check them for runout to see if that might be happening.