Can I be competitive with this load?

[ultra25-06]

Hi all, well I have been working on load development for my .260rem. I would like to be able to have fun but still be somewhat competitive, my rifle is posted in the forum somewhere and still under going upgrades. At this point I am using basic reloading tools such as standard RCBS neck sizing, full length sizing and standard seating dies. I have a Lyman crusher and a Lyman turret press (turret is used for pistol only, crusher for rifle) and Lyman accesories. This is all I can afford for the time being, but I am happy with it. Anyway as far as load development goes I've setteled with Rem brass, CCI br2, 45gr H4831sc, 142gr SMK @ 2.800. Velocity is 2737fps avg chrono'd. The only primers I have not tried are Fed as I cant get them anywhere (maybe online). Rifle is savage 110, shilen barrel, stock trigger, fixed 10x bushnell elite. Here is a pic of my avg 10 shot group at 100 it is a 1" grid. I can cosistanly shoot this group. Will this work to be competitive? I know it may not be spectacular but this is my first attempt at all this stuff. I also will be upgrading the scope in the future. Oh my intrest will be for f-class.

 

[SpencerC]

If it's F-class your after, you better start shooting at 600-1000y and practice your wind reading and long range groupings. Shooting at 100y is a start but will tell you absolutely nothing of what it/you can do at 1000....JMO

 

[ultra25-06]

Practice is very important and I realize that. My question is in regards to load development. I only shoot 100yds or less for load development or when hunting and it happens to be in that range. I do shoot regularly (3 times a week or more) out to 500 with 3 of my rifles .223, 25-06 and my .260 use on avg 50rnds per cal per session. These shooting session do not include hunting so in reality I shoot around 6 times a week.

I just dont want to waste rounds down range if they wont work for the distance requierd in f-class. I am able to keep the 25-06 and .260 moa or better, the .223 is a little harder but that may be due to the 40grain bullets Im using. Shooting 500 yrds is relativly easy and common out here. I have no close acces to a range, so all shooting is what I would call real world from field positions, go to the desert or mountains and shoot.

I have shot my .260 out to 800yds but not past that yet. I was able to hit 9 out of 10 on a 9" target using factory ammo. Wind is a constant here, so it is rare to get a calm day. I realize I need to shoot farther for f-class.

So again my question is does this look like a good load for shooting past 500? There is no need IMHO to waste loads if they wont work. Are the groups I've shown at 100yds any good for determining if they will work at that distance (1000yds)? Or is it just a simple as you stated just try it, see what happens and practice? Sorry for the lengthy reply. Hope to here more. Thanks.

 

[SpencerC]

Exactly it, you need to try it and see. A 1/4MOA group at 100 does not necessarily equal a 1/4MOA group at all distances. At 100 yards you could have a ES of 100fps and not notice any deviation in group size, but you definitely WILL at longer ranges, especially at 600+.

In my .223 I can shoot a 80gn SMK with 24.4gn of N150, 2 loads of 90gn VLD's (23.5 and 24.4gn) of N150 into the same group and still come in under .400" at 100 yards. I will GUARANTEE that will NOT happen at 600y. I sure wish it would though...Make life much easier...

 

[ultra25-06]

Thanks, out of curiousity what do you shoot for as far as es and sd go? What is a good standard to set or be under? This load is at 37fps. Another load same charge but with rem primers was 18fps and had 2 flyers (may have been me) should I try it again?

 

[Erik Cortina]

It should work for midrange, 600 and under. For long range, I would look for a node that is faster than what you are shooting now, it will help you in the wind bucking department. My 6.5x47 Lapua with 139 gr. Scenars and N550 go 2900 fps., so you should be able to at least achieve those numbers with your 260.

 

[MarkS]

ultra25-06

For long range I like to see 20 or less for the ES. Your 37 es may see some vertical in the group at longer ranges. I would shoot the both loads at 200 or 300 yds. See how much vertical in the loads. I have seen vertical in loads that shot great at 100 yds, but not at 200yds. I like to see 0.4" groups or less at 200 yds. I have the best luck with the Fed GM primers for ES. The best ES I have had is 9, I shot 3 IBS 600 yd benchrest records, with this load. Good luck.

Mark Schronce