Long range load development at 100 yards.

[mdavis78102]

I remember a photo where it looked as though David was going to crown Jeff Cochran.....

 

[savageshooter86]

tried some older lot # of 168 SMK,Varget,Lapua brass, KVB7 primers

Scope was adjusted after the 3rd 42.0 gr load. Thoughts on the target please

 

[Silenstalker]

So attached I am submitting a target that is a tad blurry but is a load test I did at 100 yards today. 270 Win, 150 gr. ABLR H4831sc. Top left to bottom right in 1/2 gr. increments are 52.5-55.5. Loaded at SAAMI as this is a hunting rifle and my 1st try. Where would you guys say is the node? Other than a couple of bad fliers, I have my best guess but want to see if it matches. Thanks for any help and or suggestions.

 

[BoydAllen]

I would say that 55 gr. looks promising. Just out of curiosity, did you have any way to look at what the wind was doing? Has the rifle been bedded? What kind of scope? How much more room do you have in the magazine. SAAMI is for manufacturers and IMO, does not mean much for establishing seating depth for custom loads.

 

[Silenstalker]

I was thinking 55 also not just because of the tight group but because the groups on either side of it are relatively the same spot and height in relation to the bullseye. Not counting the 1 flier.

As for the rifle, it is a completely factory weatherby vanguard series 2 back country. All I have done to it is lighten the trigger. It was over 90 degrees here today and the barrel took a long time to cool down.

I know saami is a long way from where I should be but thought I would try some just to see...

Also I am shooting the basic Vortex Viper 6.5-20x40. The magazine is at 3.500"

I have thought of loading some at 3.495 and run another test or load 15 of these at 55 grs. And reshoot them at 300 yards to see how they perform.

One last thing, I am a novice at both reloading and shooting a rifle. Thank you for any and all input!

 

[scalian]

243 win
87 vmax
H4350

What do you guys think?

 

[BoydAllen]

Although I have rifles that are unbedded, it is because they gave me under half inch accuracy, early on, (with reloads) that way and for their purpose that was just fine. Generally, if a rifle does not show me something pretty good in early testing, I assume that it needs bedding, and some of the targets that have been shown in this thread look to me like they are strong evidence that there are some gunsmithing issues that need tending to before any more groups are shot...seriously. Sometimes I get the impression that fellows do not really understand how important good bedding is. Of course, with what we know these days, any bedding job should be with pillars, and checked as to its quality with a dial indicator. Just because it looks good, does not mean that a bedding job is stress free.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Although I have rifles that are unbedded, it is because they gave me under half inch accuracy, early on, (with reloads) that way and for their purpose that was just fine. Generally, if a rifle does not show me something pretty good in early testing, I assume that it needs bedding, and some of the targets that have been shown in this thread look to me like they are strong evidence that there are some gunsmithing issues that need tending to before any more groups are shot...seriously. Sometimes I get the impression that fellows do not really understand how important good bedding is. Of course, with what we know these days, any bedding job should be with pillars, and checked as to its quality with a dial indicator. Just because it looks good, does not mean that a bedding job is stress free.

+1

 

[watercam]

Can't believe this thread is still going... Been around the world twice already!

 

[Erik Cortina]

I will be doing load development for my 6.5x47 Lapua soon. I will post all results. In the meantime, I'm dealing with horrendous Raton winds!

 

[jmj888]

Here is an interesting one...load development on 6.5-284...140gr Berger VLDs jammed .010"...4831SC in 1/2gr. increments starting from top left at 47.5 and going in order to 51gr. Very little vertical difference between charges at 100. Any thoughts?

 

[BoydAllen]

Would 51.5 be too much pressure, and could you fit it in the case?

 

[jmj888]

Would 51.5 be too much pressure, and could you fit it in the case?

Already loaded up some 51.5 to test along with some more 51.0. Was in a hurry to get to the range with new gun and forgot my chrony too.

This was the first 24 rounds down the barrel...The throat on the gun is a hair on the short side so i was really just testing pressure signs. Even at 100 degrees outside temp there were no ejector marks, primers still looked good, and bolt lift was smooth.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Would 51.5 be too much pressure, and could you fit it in the case?

Already loaded up some 51.5 to test along with some more 51.0. Was in a hurry to get to the range with new gun and forgot my chrony too.

This was the first 24 rounds down the barrel...The throat on the gun is a hair on the short side so i was really just testing pressure signs. Even at 100 degrees outside temp there were no ejector marks, primers still looked good, and bolt lift was smooth.

Do you have chronograph results?

 

[jmj888]

Would 51.5 be too much pressure, and could you fit it in the case?

Already loaded up some 51.5 to test along with some more 51.0. Was in a hurry to get to the range with new gun and forgot my chrony too.

This was the first 24 rounds down the barrel...The throat on the gun is a hair on the short side so i was really just testing pressure signs. Even at 100 degrees outside temp there were no ejector marks, primers still looked good, and bolt lift was smooth.

Do you have chronograph results?

I wish I did. I was in a hurry and didnt get to chronograph. Going to duplicate the test over again over chrony...was just itching to get some rounds downrange out of the new gun. 50.5-51.5 should put it in the 2900-2950 range.

 

[drumcorpschamp]

Eric,

I'll jump in on this thread. Only difference between targets regarding loading specs are primers. Looks like the CCI 450's are performing better for me in light of the consistency in chronograph numbers.

I'm leaning toward 32.2 grs. w/450's. Your analysis?

Jerry

Trying turn turn the pix and re-attach.

 

[troutslayer]

Erik, just wanted to thank you for the information! I look forward to trying out your process. I have read this thread 03 times to study everyone else's targets and to absorb as much info as possible. Appreciate all the guys efforts and seeing their progress really makes this a great read! Thanks everyone!

 

[savageshooter86]

Jerry were you shooting 2 shot groups? I'm confused

 

[lawrence97]

Here are mine ! please comment on what you think is the sweet spot....

and for comparison and to see that if it shoots at 100, it will most likely do good further out. Here is an 800 yard target. C1-C5 = 54.5 and D1-D5 = 55

At 800 I was holding center of X and not compensating for wind. The wind was blowing at 10-12mph from left to right as seen on target.

 

[drumcorpschamp]

Jerry were you shooting 2 shot groups? I'm confused

Yes Andrew, 2 shots for each powder charge. Gets me in the ballpark.
Jerry