horizontal stringing

[Coyotero]

Hi from Montana from the new guy on the board with his first question. I have known for years that you can often alleviate horizontal stringing by going to a slightly faster or slower powder, but I dont know why. Can anyone tell me what makes this happen? Thanks in advance!

 

[halfmoanut]

Wind will cause it more than anything else. Without shooting wind flags there is no other cure that I am aware of.

 

[Coyotero]

Thanks for the thoughts. Let me set the stage a little more specifically. I am working up a load for a new to me model 700 PSS. With 167 scenars and RL-15, I get groups of about .5 vertical by 1.5 inches horizontal. When I switched to Accurate 2520, the groups shrunk to nice round .5 inch groups. The shooting was done in the same session with no wind or mirage concerns with loads generating near identical muzzle velocity. Mostly, I am wondering what happens from a technical standpoint that would cause these results when the powder burn rate is the only variable?.

 

[rayjay]

Everytime I introduce someone to windflags they always say '...I never realized.....' how variable the wind is. Feel nothing at the bench but flag #3 is about to be blown over or feel a slight breeze at the bench but all the flags are showing nothing or all the tails are just about hanging limp but the bullets seem to have a mind of their own or all the flags are showing a different wind direction and speed....

I have seen that last scenario in a 25 yd airgun match. The guys at that match that had never shot over flags were amazed.

 

[Coyotero]

Couldn't agree more about the flags.....I've shot with them for 25 years......this isn't a wind issue, though.

 

[Obtunded]

factory barrel...'nuff said

 

[12man]

If you had this same problem using a MATCH GRADE barrel, LILJA, KRIEGER ETC) and have this stringing issue instead of triangular or circular groups, what could cause this? I've been told vertical stringing can be caused by primer selection & wide spreads in velocities. Again this is all assumuming I am doing my part of shooting straight with a good gun, good rest, quality handloads & flags. Trying to learn anything I can from some of the best and knowledgable shooters around, any & all suggestions Highly Appreciated!! Thanks

 

[SooStan]

When I am loaded too hot the vertical goes away but the lateral you talk about becomes very obvious. Backing down the load usually cures it,for me anyway) but to much and the vertical comes back. Yes wind is important too but it is not everything when developing a load. While watching the shots they will be erratic and not follow the wind or your wind call. Had a strong constant full value wind from 9:00 and the shot went 4 inches left from the others with a few clustered nice and 1 out the right about 3 inches.,300yds) That was a bad load, to hot. Backed it down a grain and the vertical stayed about the same but lateral went under 1 inch in the same wind and was predictable or close to it. For me when I get lateral the load is to hot.

 

[Coyotero]

Stan...good info...thank you!

 

[12man]

Thanks for the reply I know there are ALOT of real GOOD shooters on the site.I am trying to learn more and improve my shooting & reloading skills, learning from others success & mistakes helps me Thanks Again