28 Nosler Lightweight Build

[std7mag]

Have you given any consideration to using Nosler ABLR bullets?

I've been using them in my 7mm Rem Mag, and now in my (2) 280 Rem.

Doing some load development with them using Alliant PP4000 in my 284 Win.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Have you given any consideration to using Nosler ABLR bullets?

I've been using them in my 7mm Rem Mag, and now in my (2) 280 Rem.

Doing some load development with them using Alliant PP4000 in my 284 Win.

Not really. I've haven't had great luck with Accubonds. How are your results with the ABLR? On ballistic tips and accubonds, the price didn't justify the performance in my rifles when compared to Hornady or Berger. I know some people swear by them. I saw mixed results with RDF's in other people's guns, too. The price looks more in line with the competition with the ABLR though and boxes of 100 rather than 50.

 

[std7mag]

Since the ABLR comes in boxes of 100 as opposed to 50, it definitely makes them a more economical pick vs the regular Accubond, or Ballistic Tips.

I shoot a lot of Hornady SSTs at the range.
I find that the Ballistic Tips will give better groups consistantly.

I also have no luck with the regular Accubonds. Either your rifle likes them, or it doesn't. Mine decidedly do not like them.

Savage 111 in 7mm Rem Mag at 600 yards on a calm day, shot an honest 1.5" group of 3 shots with 150gr ABLR over RL26.
The Gods were smiling on me that day!
I haven't tried it since!

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Can't argue with holes in the paper. I had better luck with ballistic tips than the accubonds, also. My dad's 1972 M700 270 shoots one hole groups with the 130gr ballistic tip. I just haven't had the same luck with my rifles.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

The action is shipping tomorrow!

 

[Kurz]

An original when folks did not worry so much about the weight of a rifle, only how well it put the game down.


Mauser Type 'B', 10.75x68 Mauser with all steel accoutrement = 7 lbs. 5 oz.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Decided to go with an SHV 4-14x50 for now. It’s decidedly not a lightweight scope but I sure do like shooting with it. I should be able to pick up the action from the FFL tomorrow and screw it together this weekend. The Manners stock is not close to being ready so it probably won’t in “final” configuration for a while. That will not stop me from shooting it.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Brown Santa Claus showed up after the FFL closed. Pisser.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Made some progress today. Current configuration:
Origin action
Proof 26” 8 twist barrel
Timney elite hunter
Christensen TFM stock
BDL bottom metal

Had to mix and match some stocks and parts to get it shootable. The DBM needed some fitting to work. I don’t want to do anything permanent to these stocks since I have a Manners on order. I ditched the dbm for stock BDL bottom metal for now. The 195 dummy round is too long for the box so I will be single feeding until the rest of the stuff arrives. Should get the scope this week and will get some 175 eldx’s (cheap) loaded up for break in. This is my first non-700 action and I’m extremely impressed with the quality and features. Won’t be going back to truing factory actions.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Just discovered my powder funnel doesn't work for this case...

 

[rickiesrevenge]

If you end up needing some 195's I have some that my barrel didn't like.

Aaron

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Thanks. I might take you up on that. I’ll start working on those after I get some rounds down the pipe and the barrel settles down.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

I got some rounds down the pipe today with the Viper 6.5-20. I started my loads down at the bottom of the table. Why burn powder on break in? It is nice to shoot. I’m not taking the groups too seriously yet. Brown Santa dropped my SHV off while I was out Can’t get used to the idea of my scope sitting on my front porch in broad daylight. I loaded up 77,77.5,78 and 78.5gr of Retumbo. 175gr ELDX .025 off, new Nosler brass, CCI250 and 78.5gr of Retumbo produced 3042 FPS avg, SD 12, ES 31 and a .81” 5 shot group at 100. I’m pleased so far. Obviously no signs of any pressure. Loading upwards from 78.5 tonight to go try out the new scope and get some more shoot and clean cycles in

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Went out and shot the 175 eldx’s again in the rain today. Sighters at 100yd and groups at 300. First shots since new scope went on. Im pretty sure my sighters were in a node at 80.5gr. I should be able to reach the next one at around 83.5gr. 14x is not enough magnification for 300yd load development for me. The scope was great though. I will probably switch back to one of my 20x or 24x scopes for load work. 82gr of Retumbo got me 3173 fps. POI shifted upwards quite a bit from 81.5 to 82gr.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

Long story short, I ran into pressure at 82.9gr at the bottom of the next node. 3264 avg SD6 ES 11. I’m dropping back to 80.5 gr to fine tune and stretch it out to see if it holds up. The shooter and mirage produced some unimpressive groups today although the vertical tightened up predictably as I got closer to the high node. I re-shot the 80.5 group to confirm it was indeed a node and got 3121 avg SD 9 ES 23. I used that load to get on paper with my 6.5-20x44 viper pa. It has a fine duplex reticle that is easier to use for load work than the fat FFP MIL-R on the SHV.
I will get these 175’s shot out at 1k after I do some tinkering. Side note, this is the cleanest barrel I have ever owned. No copper fouling at all and cleans up quick.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

I loaded up the rest of my 1x brass with my final 175gr ELDX load, (80.7gr Retumbo, 1X Nosler brass trimmed to 2.57, CCI 250, .030 jump. 3165 fps SD 8.6 ES 17) and headed to the desert intending to get out to 1k. Turns out my spot was occupied when I got there and had to go to an alternate. I could only get out to 700 and it was a mud hole. To top it off, it was gusty. My expectation of a nice tight group at 700 was a fantasy although I am pleased with the load. I held .5 mil for 10 mph full value wind and tried to time the shots with 10 mph readings on the kestrel and did the best I could. I am happy with the vertical. The Magnetospeed gave me an 8" POI shift at 700 yd. I have 200 more ELDX's for a rainy day and a workable load. I'm not going to burn powder on seating tests for this bullet. Time to move on to the 195.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

I annealed my 2x brass before starting on the 195 EOL. I shot Retumbo from 77gr up to 79 gr at 300 yd today. Started with .015" off per guidance found here and it paid off. Although conditions sucked, the vertical behaved as it should and it looks very promising. I'll take a little luck every time. I'll fine tune a little with charge weight and then chrono and stretch out the distance. I'm not sure anyone cares about any of this but I am definitely amusing myself.

 

[Orr89rocz]

Looks good. I kinda want to do a 28 nos myself. Just not now while supplies are so short and hard to find stuff.

 

[Mdhmsmith]

It’s been a long road. 9 month wait on the stock, etc, etc. Hopefully weather cooperates and I can get a few rounds through it tomorrow. The scope set me back on weight. It is 11.4 lbs ready to hunt with bipod and can. We will be using it on my son’s elk hunt in October. We will see how it goes.

 

[284winner]

It’s been a long road. 9 month wait on the stock, etc, etc. Hopefully weather cooperates and I can get a few rounds through it tomorrow. The scope set me back on weight. It is 11.4 lbs ready to hunt with bipod and can. We will be using it on my son’s elk hunt in October. We will see how it goes.

They almost always wind up heavier than we think. I just finished one and hoped for under 9 lbs. It's just over by about an ounce. I actually figured on an 8.5 lb gun. Weighing all the parts came in under 9 but after assembly went over.