300 yd F-class: suitable scale?

[fatelvis]

You didn’t mention what bullet you were shooting but if you were shooting a 107 SMK at 2600 fps, a 0.1 grain decrease (~7fps) is about 0.2” at 300yds. That’s about the equivalent of 1/2 mph crossing wind.

Right now I’m using Hornady 105 BTHP bullets, but will run out soon and will be switching to Berger 90 gr BTHPs

 

[dcali]

At 300 (or even 600 to be honest), a chargmaster is fine. If you do a ladder test and pick something in the middle of a step, you're good. (This is easier said than done at 300 - you may have to just test the old fashioned way by shooting groups). Generally, the precision of a chargemaster is plenty good to fit comfortably within one of those steps.

Don't fall into the trap of simply calculating the drop difference with a ballistics calculator and using that as a measure of how much precicsion your velocity needs to have. At range, the vertical difference is influenced heavily by barrel vibration. You need ot test it to see what the actual difference in vertical is. (This is much more dramatic at 600 and 1000, but it's good general practice).

With smaller cases like a .223 or longer ranges, you start to get into an area where an A&D can provide a little insurance.

 

[Dave M.]

Currently I am using a RCBS ChargeMaster to weigh my Varget charges for my 6BR for 300yd F-class. In your opinion, would I notice any changes by going to a better scale and trickling? Thanks!scorinh

Hard to say when we don’t know how you are scoring currently. But assuming you are scoring well now, I doubt you would see a difference in your scoring at 300 yards with a better scale. Chargemaster is fine for that distance and even at +/-0.1g you could still likely shoot clean 200 point relays at 300 yards.
dave

 

[Doom]

Don't fall into the trap of simply calculating the drop difference with a ballistics calculator and using that as a measure of how much precicsion your velocity needs to have. At range, the vertical difference is influenced heavily by barrel vibration. You need ot test it to see what the actual difference in vertical is. (This is much more dramatic at 600 and 1000, but it's good general practice).

Good point. Checking the change in velocity and running through a BC is only an approximation of the singular effect of velocity without any multiplicative or compensatory effects. It serves as a guide. Ultimately the target is going to have the final say.