i got my barrel back a few weeks ago and just now getting around to doing some testing. The beginning had me worried with fireforming and barrel break in. The first few shots laid copper down the barrel in a really bad way and the first 2-3 shots it took litterly 30 mins to get the copper out after each firing. Well after polishing the throat with some flitz and then applying flitz to a few rounds and let dry I can say the barrel has finally settled down.
Saturday evening I loaded up a few rounds beginning at 61.0 grains of H4350 and went to 62.5 in .5 grain increments. The wind was a bit stout so my first initial test was at 300 yards. When all the rounds were fired I wasn't pleased with groups so, I decided to start back at 61.5 and work up in .3 grain increments and stopped at 62.7. Sunday evening I went back to the range and this time I setup at 500 spite the strong winds and test these loaded rounds. When I got to 62.7 I could see a really nice four shot group and was pleased. After retrieving the targets the group indeed was very promising and now gave me a new starting point to work up from and test again.
Sunday night I analyzed what the targets were from Saturday and Sunday and decided to load 5 each at 62.6 and 62.8 grains and go back out Monday morning early.
Back at the range before daylight Monday I got setup and with the winds laid down and the sun shining on the target just right I sighted in and test. The end results was 62.8 was the clear winner where 62.6 showed lots of verticle. Roughly 5-7"to be honest. But then that 62.8 was tight I had four shots under 1.250 and my 1 shot took it to a 1.4" group.
* Note Monday morning the temps were 20-25* cooler than Sunday evening that may been reason for so much vertical at 62.6.
So after testing 62.7 and 62.8 both groups shot in the 1.4's area.
Below are pics of both groups. The next test will be 62.7 and 62.9 and I'll see how those stack up and if so I'll creep on up again until the groups open up.
Stats of load are rifle is a Bat M McMillan MBR stock Brux 1-12" twist barrel finished at 30" with a Harrells brake. Winchester Brass Federal 210m primer and BIB 187 FB bullets. Powder H4350
Sunday's group only four shots at 500 yards
Monday mornings group at 500 yards.
Comments and input on making this group even tighter is appreciated.
Saturday evening I loaded up a few rounds beginning at 61.0 grains of H4350 and went to 62.5 in .5 grain increments. The wind was a bit stout so my first initial test was at 300 yards. When all the rounds were fired I wasn't pleased with groups so, I decided to start back at 61.5 and work up in .3 grain increments and stopped at 62.7. Sunday evening I went back to the range and this time I setup at 500 spite the strong winds and test these loaded rounds. When I got to 62.7 I could see a really nice four shot group and was pleased. After retrieving the targets the group indeed was very promising and now gave me a new starting point to work up from and test again.
Sunday night I analyzed what the targets were from Saturday and Sunday and decided to load 5 each at 62.6 and 62.8 grains and go back out Monday morning early.
Back at the range before daylight Monday I got setup and with the winds laid down and the sun shining on the target just right I sighted in and test. The end results was 62.8 was the clear winner where 62.6 showed lots of verticle. Roughly 5-7"to be honest. But then that 62.8 was tight I had four shots under 1.250 and my 1 shot took it to a 1.4" group.
* Note Monday morning the temps were 20-25* cooler than Sunday evening that may been reason for so much vertical at 62.6.
So after testing 62.7 and 62.8 both groups shot in the 1.4's area.
Below are pics of both groups. The next test will be 62.7 and 62.9 and I'll see how those stack up and if so I'll creep on up again until the groups open up.
Stats of load are rifle is a Bat M McMillan MBR stock Brux 1-12" twist barrel finished at 30" with a Harrells brake. Winchester Brass Federal 210m primer and BIB 187 FB bullets. Powder H4350
Sunday's group only four shots at 500 yards
Monday mornings group at 500 yards.
Comments and input on making this group even tighter is appreciated.
