First Tuner test results

[JamesnTN]

well this is my first time setting up and testing a tuner. My load is 33.8 grains of LRM and a CCI 400 using the 105 Hybrids.

I set up at 200 yards to do the test. I sure didn't like what I saw in today's test. What I did was I started at "0" on the tuner. Per instructions from a highly noted BR guy here I marked the tuner into four quadrants and then I'd shoot 2 shots at Q1 then move to Q2 and so forth. From there I was suppose to work with the best group but not knowing I kept adjusting the tuner back to same Quadrant settings just screwing it out further each time. So what you see in the target is when i show a different Q1-4 that's another turn out on the tuner. Anyhow after myself and my help analyzing what I shot we decided to work within Q4 and Q1 at the end of the second turn and beginning of the third from "0"

So tomorrow I'll go back to Q4 one turn out from "0" and fine tweak it from there. If anyone has added suggestions all is most helpful.

Here's the photo

Now on Q2 bottom left target shows one hole but the other shot for what ever reason nearly went off the paper. I failed to get it in the first pic.

Here's a close up of the shot

Again I'm really not liking anything here this rifle was shooting right at 1" at 500 yards with only a brake installed.

 

[dmoran]

I suggest to tune with in 1 quadrant at a time or less. With my favorite tuner (Ezell PDT) on my LT-Gun Dasher, every 6-thousandths is a complete cycle, with the best settings to the worse settings all falling with in that 6-thousandths cycle. For ever 1-turn I see 5.2 complete cycles on average (TPI = 32 threads per inch).

Also suggest to use wind flags...
Good Luck
Donovan

 

[JamesnTN]

I suggest to tune with in 1 quadrant at a time or less. With my favorite tuner (Ezell PDT) on my LT-Gun Dasher, every 6-thousandths is a complete cycle, with the best settings to the worse settings all falling with in that 6-thousandths range. For ever 1-turn I see 5.2 complete cycles on average (threaded to 32 threads per inch).

Also suggest to use wind flags...
Good Luck
Donovan

Thanks for tip. The wind flags were in use. Although not needed today, the conditions were the best I've seen in a very long time. Overcast 73* wind 0-2 mph (mostly 0) flags hung down all morning long.

 

[dmoran]

^^^^ Got to love those days.... There few and far between up my way.

 

[Greyfox]

As Donavan said, you are turning way too much. Try making very small adjustments, 1/8" inch or so to begin with. Also, in spite of what has been said from time to time, you want to work with vertical and forget the horizontal for now. If it were me I'd want to start at 100 until I had an idea of what is going on. Since you say there was no need for wind flags, what you have here looks like something is wrong. It might help to know what brand of tuner you have and how it attaches to the barrel. If I had groups like that it would be telling me I had the set screws tightened uneven. You shouldn't be getting that kind of horizontal.

Rick

 

[JamesnTN]

As Donavan said, you are turning way too much. Try making very small adjustments, 1/8" inch or so to begin with. Also, in spite of what has been said from time to time, you want to work with vertical and forget the horizontal for now. If it were me I'd want to start at 100 until I had an idea of what is going on. Since you say there was no need for wind flags, what you have here looks like something is wrong. It might help to know what brand of tuner you have and how it attaches to the barrel. If I had groups like that it would be telling me I had the set screws tightened uneven. You shouldn't be getting that kind of horizontal.

Rick

Rick,

It's the Harrels Tuner Brake combo. Threaded 3/4-32 same as my regular brake. All I did was unscrewed the brake and screwed this one on. I agree something is wrong. The rifle with the regular break was shooting 1" at 500 so if I don't get a handle on this soon it'll go in the junk pile and I'll forget ever trying a brake.

 

[Greyfox]

Rick,

It's the Harrels Tuner Brake combo. Threaded 3/4-32 same as my regular brake. All I did was unscrewed the brake and screwed this one on. I agree something is wrong. The rifle with the regular break was shooting 1" at 500 so if I don't get a handle on this soon it'll go in the junk pile and I'll forget ever trying a brake.

Don't know what to tell you as I've not used a Harrell's brake/tuner combo. I can tell you that I've not seen anything like that with any of mine and I have at least 5 different types/brands.
All of them work and they all work the same way. As I suggested, begin with very small adjustments. It only takes a little to make a difference on the target.

Rick

 

[DJ111]

Step one. Remove and put brake back on.

Step two. Enjoy life and move on!

In all honesty you may have to start over and tune your load with the added weight on the barrel to get it back in tune and then make fine adjustments from there.

You are entering a world of heartache and pain with one of those Voodoo muzzle tuners for long range!

They do change groups though no question about that!

Good luck with the trial!!

 

[dmoran]

They do change groups though no question about that!

Now that's funny...... !.!.!
But do agree when it comes to tuner/brakes. They can make a very good load, a very bad load, on some settings.
Donovan

 

[JamesnTN]

Step one. Remove and put brake back on.

Step two. Enjoy life and move on!

In all honesty you may have to start over and tune your load with the added weight on the barrel to get it back in tune and then make fine adjustments from there.

You are entering a world of heartache and pain with one of those Voodoo muzzle tuners for long range!

They do change groups though no question about that!

Good luck with the trial!!

You are most likely correct. I thought I'd try one though. First impressions not good from today's tests. I'll sit down at 100 and retune with it and then make my adjustments and see what goes from there.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Don't give up !!!

 

[CaptainMal]

No clue what that tuner is like. I only have and use RAS tuners. The secret is to literally screw them near all the way in and going out you will find maybe two complete nodes in little more than .5" of movement. My adjustments are maybe 1/16" turn each adjustment.

 

[DJ111]

I made one in the summer of 2012, and made it so I could put the weight at the muzzle or beyond. I did a lot of testing and it worked pretty well and I had it shooting very well in MN. Went to the 600 yard nats in MO....and well....it was a bust! Ended up taking it off there and the groups cut in half. I thought I had it figured out before I left....I was wrong.

It was a little crude...but it worked.

 

[savagedasher]

No clue what that tuner is like. I only have and use RAS tuners. The secret is to literally screw them near all the way in and going out you will find maybe two complete nodes in little more than .5" of movement. My adjustments are maybe 1/16" turn each adjustment.

If it take more then 12 shot to get the bullets touching the the tuner isn't doing its job.
If the instructions is read . Larry

 

[JamesnTN]

If it take more then 12 shot to get the bullets touching the the tuner isn't doing its job.
If the instructions is read . Larry

Tuner never came with instructions.

 

[savagedasher]

Tuner never came with instructions.

Check with where you got it . They should help . Larry

 

[BenPerfected]

All the way out to 150 and then back a max of 4 numbers on the dial. I have 4 Harrell's Tuners and the settings are almost the same. My barrels are all the same HV contour and 28" in length.

 

[JamesnTN]

All the way out to 150 and then back a max of 4 numbers on the dial. I have 4 Harrell's Tuners and the settings are almost the same. My barrels are all the same HV contour and 28" in length.

When you say all the way out are you talking towards muzzle end or back at the zero end?

 

[BenPerfected]

When you say all the way out are you talking towards muzzle end or back at the zero end?

Hard to respond as the tuner is mostly past the muzzle. Maybe this will help, start with the adjustable tuner weights all the way out from the muzzle and then turn slightly inward as needed.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

How many different answers can there be? James, can I suggest that you use a tuner made by someone that will help you with getting it set and how to use a tuner? Call me some time if that sounds like a good idea. It's hard to imagine some people having such great results with tuners on all of their rifles while others see very poor results from them on their rifles. That alone seems to say a mouth full. ...They all work on the same principle..some better than others, but as you can see from the "answers" on here..not everyone goes about using them the same way. There must be a right way and a wrong way. Get my drift?

I'm like Rick...while I do make and sell my own tuners, I've had good success with most all of the different ones out there and have tested most of them, firsthand. Mine come with instructions, be it the printed kind that I include with them, a phone conversation...or inviting you to my shop for a personal crash course with some trigger time. If you have my tuner and a known good load in your gun with a bare barrel, I will make you a believer in an hour or your money back. How's that?--Mike