Competition Rifle Spread at 400 yards

[rlandrum]

I'm just getting back out on the range after a bit if a hiatus. Last I'd purchased was a custom competition rifle, and I'd done a little ammo testing, but nothing serious. It's a 6mm BR with Brux barrel, BAT receiver, and jewell trigger, and I installed a Weaver T-36.

It shoots real good, as they say.

This weekend, I had the opportunity to shoot at 400 yards, the longest I'd ever shot. Once I'd qualified on the 100 yard range with a sub 1 minute MOA, (which I did on the first try with connecting holes), I moved over to the 400. I was on paper immediately, which surprised me a little. I expected more drop than I got, but perhaps that was due to the slight downhill range.

I googled a bit, but couldn't find anything to compare this to. I'm wonder how well my rifle (and I) perform at this distance. This is just a 10 shot group, in excellent conditions, so it's probably the best I can do with so little practice. How does this compare to other calibers at this distance (or greater distances)?

 

[Erik Cortina]

What size is your group?

I would say with your equipment and perfect conditions I would expect 1" - 1.5" groups.
Keep at it, you'll get there.

 

[watercam]

You did not mention whether you were shooting with a sling or rest. The pic I am guessing is rotated 90 deg. which shows some wind at work. Assuming the red bull is 1" it appears you have about 2.5" of vertical dispersion - close to .5 moa at 400. Keep going! Off to a respectable start!

 

[rlandrum]

I was using a competition rest for these shots. There was a little bit of wind, but I'd somehow left my flag tape at home and didn't have any solid references. Heat ripples through the scope were nearly vertical though.

I was thinking 1.5 inch spread was about where I wanted to be. I shot a 4 inch spread on 10 shots, give or take.

I was also using 87 grain Berger BTHP, with 28.5 grains of Varget with CCI primers. My initial ammo testing lead me in this direction, and they were very consistent. I had no blowouts or failures to eject. 30 grains was way too much, and 26 was slightly more inconsistent. The Hogdon's left a nasty residue, but was a little more consistent. I opted for the cleaner Varget.

 

[Lapua40X]

Also assuming that what I'm looking at here is an image that's been rotated 90 degrees and that what I see is actually horizontal stringing and not vertical, the spread is consistent with wind affects. You also mentioned mirage influences and, even when they appear to be vertical, that can make the target appear to be somewhere other than where it actually is. All in all, looks like you're on your way. You may find that a bullet in the range of 107 grains and a load around 28 - 28.5 grains of Varget will carry better at that distance and longer.

 

[rlandrum]

Also assuming that what I'm looking at here is an image that's been rotated 90 degrees and that what I see is actually horizontal stringing and not vertical, the spread is consistent with wind affects. You also mentioned mirage influences and, even when they appear to be vertical, that can make the target appear to be somewhere other than where it actually is. All in all, looks like you're on your way. You may find that a bullet in the range of 107 grains and a load around 28 - 28.5 grains of Varget will carry better at that distance and longer.

Your assumptions are correct. It was originally horizontal (no clue why the site thinks it's vertical). I was unlucky with the 107s at 200 yards, but had them loaded out a little heavy at 30 grains. They lost quite bit of consistency, even in my 8.1 twist. It was something close to an 8 inch spread. Granted, I was stilling learning my gun at the time.

 

[Lapua40X]

Your assumptions are correct. It was originally horizontal (no clue why the site thinks it's vertical). I was unlucky with the 107s at 200 yards, but had them loaded out a little heavy at 30 grains. They lost quite bit of consistency, even in my 8.1 twist. It was something close to an 8 inch spread. Granted, I was stilling learning my gun at the time.

I had read some stories praising 6BR with 30 grains of Varget but, as in your situation, my rifle didn't like loads that heavy. The 28.5 grain loads with Sierra MK 107 work very well for me out to 800 yards and can even do fairly well at 1K under ideal conditions but they don't get along with the wind very well over 800 yards.

 

[Hombre0321]

I also have read and heard of the success of the 30 Grn of Varget in the 6br, I believe there are at least a couple of articles here on 6br extolling this load. I have 6br barrels on four of my match rifles, all four of these barrels are Kreigers. Three of these rifles just love the 30 grn Varget load. They also shoot a load of 30 grns of RL15 with no difference and with the same tune. One of these barrels will not shoot Varget well at all and the RL15 load is 28.3.

Sometimes you just cannot figure this reloading thing out no matter what you do.

Roland

 

[WyleWD]

I also have read and heard of the success of the 30 Grn of Varget in the 6br, I believe there are at least a couple of articles here on 6br extolling this load. I have 6br barrels on four of my match rifles, all four of these barrels are Kreigers. Three of these rifles just love the 30 grn Varget load. They also shoot a load of 30 grns of RL15 with no difference and with the same tune. One of these barrels will not shoot Varget well at all and the RL15 load is 28.3.

Sometimes you just cannot figure this reloading thing out no matter what you do.

Roland

Great post Roland.... let THE RIFLE tell you what it likes. WD