Thread: 90 gr Sierra Game Changer in 243 Win

Up until now I have been using the Hornady 95 gr SST in my 243 Win which is a factory Mod 700 with a 2.5 x 10 Nikon Monarch on it which I have just fitted and sighted in. I have now sighted the rifle in with the new 90 gr Sierra Game Changer bullet at 100 yards and run them through the Chrono.
I choose AR 2209 as my powder and loaded up some at 42 grains and 43 grains ( Max in ADI Book is 44.5 grs )
42 grains AR 2209 = 3025 fps, 2945, 3056, 3049,3083. ( not sure what happened with the low reading) 3031 fps Av
43 grains AR 2209 = 3239 fps, 3128, 3169, 3144, 3110 ( not sure what happened with the fast one) 3158 fps AV
As I was sighting in at the time I never got a good chance to see how accurate they grouped but they showed a bit of promise until the barrel heated up.
In the photo's the picture shows the first shot on the target then I started adjusting the scope, the next two shots in the black then I adjusted again and fired the next three shots , by this time the barrel was hot and the group opened up a bit. After letting the barrel cool I fired the last GC bullet to verify my 100 yard zero and it was close enough.
The rifle is stock standard and has the upward pressure at the end of the barrel which works but was wondering if this would be the main cause of the groups opening up when it got hot. Would bedding the action and free floating the barrel improve things?
As it is it's ok for hunting if you only fire a few shots at a time but after six or seven it seems to expand the group a bit.
Happy with the velocity and it looks like a good bullet with a high BC of .490 which is good for a 243 bullet.
I tried one of my old 95 gr SST loads after finishing sighting in and it hit about 1.4 inch high so it looks as if I can still use them as well.

Next thing to do is try these Game Changers on some deer as there have been lots of different opinions about how they work on game. I still will try the Hornady 90 gr ELD X when they hit the shops as I think they will work well on game and should be good shooters.