Major Grouping Issue

[603Country]

I shoot a lot of Nosler bullets, and their OAL and recommended accuracy powders, at least in my rifles, are pretty close to what I use. And the Lyman manual also has a powder recommendation.

 

[K22]

See Posts # 17and # 19. You're well over max charge. In addition, many rifle / bullets combos, in my experience, shoot generally best (accuracy-wise) at mid-charge loads. Sierra list 54.0 grain of H4350 as max for 180 grain bullets, albeit not partition bullets but nevertheless this gives you a sense of their lab test results with 180 gain bullets.

I never had much success with Partition Bullet accuracy wise, generally about 1 to 1 1/2 moa but I didn't choose that bullet for small groups, I chose it for terminal performance reason. That level of precision is more than adequate for big game hunting purposes. The Partition's claim to fame is penetration with controlled expansion. With the development of the Accubond bonded bullets, they may be better suited for you if precision is your goal

Clearly you ruled out mechanical issues with rifle and scope since the 168's shoot very well. That combo should handle any big game you will to hunt in North America that is suitable for a 30 -06. "Don't fix it - it ain't broken" may apply here.

If you are determined to pursue the 180 grain Partitions, use the Nosler Published data and start at the beginning load and work up.

 

[bertuzzi]

Barrell Twist is 1 in 10.

I really appreciate all the input, there is so much good in the responses. I was certainly leaning more towards giving up on the bullet, but I really want to make this work. I have 40 more left and I'll burn through them and see if I can get this with them. If I can't I am done.

That being said, to all those who suggest lower the charge, you're probably right LOL. I love to push the charge and listen to my rifle for pressure and not so much the bullet. Probably a bad thing in some instances, hence the situation. I have had ZERO pressure signs at this charge. I will lower it down to maybe 52 or 53 grains and work up from there and see what happens. I will post results for those interested.

As for changing the primer, I've never really been a believer in if that really matters. Now keep in mind, I am by no means an expert here and not saying I'm right. I've only been reloading for about 4 years and only more so in the last 2 years. I have probably handloaded and shot maybe 2000 rounds. I have 4 or 5 different Large Rifle primer brands, but exclusively use CCI BR-2's. If you've read this far, do you guys really notice a lot of difference in changing primers sometimes? Any science or idea why this would change something so drastically?

Thanks again

 

[L.Sherm]

I've never really been a believer in if that really matters.

Oooh it matters more than just making it go bang.

 

[bertuzzi]

Oooh it matters more than just making it go bang.

Can you elaborate? I'm genuinely looking to understand because to me, in my brain I feel they're all basically the same with minor differences.

This year I want to experiment with different primers and see, because I think real world experience is the best. The second best is seeking out people with real world experience and getting their opinions. Which is where I am here.

The only experience I have with swapping primers, is with my 300WM. I tried magnum primers and just large rifle and had no difference noted.

 

[L.Sherm]

You won't know unless you test different primers which one shoots the best.
Theres primer-powder combinations that shoot better than others. Firing control systems on actions too.

 

[L.Sherm]

Take a middle of the road powder charge on your 06 and try say Fed 210, CCI BR2 ect. and only the primer switch nothing else.
There should be group shape or something that indicates which one it likes.
I load for 2- 6.5x06AI both shoot the exact powder, bullet and charge but different primers. One is a factory action steel barrel the other is a Defiance action and Carbon cut with the same reamer.

 

[L.Sherm]

The more you increase the distance the more you will notice the difference

 

[Steve Donlon]

If you want to use a heavy hunting bullet try a 200 gr. Horndy ELDX or a Berger 190 VLD or a Barnes LRX 200 gr. or something along those lines. It's a 30-06 and they like 190- 200 gr. bullets with the powder you have.

 

[bertuzzi]

So I dropped my charge starting 52.5G and the groups did seem to come together and make some pattern sense. I did 52.5, 53, 53.5. At 53.5 they started to be crazy again so I went back down and tried 52.8 and 53.2. Looks like I'm landing on 53G, as it was my best group, which I attached a picture of the group. I really want to get these as close to an inch as possible, 1.53 inches just isn't good enough for me. I am going to load 3 - 5 shot groups with 3 different primers but all the same charge. I will report my findings for those who care.

Thanks

 

[ELR LVR]

If you have a faster than 12 I would try a couple different primers then if nothing different powder something a little slower.

I might suggest trying 4831 and Re-22
Re-22 gives me GREAT accuracy in every gun I use it in
---
Skip Re-19

 

[bertuzzi]

So now I'm even more confused. Tried 3 different primers. CCI, Federal and Fiochi. Groups are chaotic again but the last 3 shots on the cci primers were beautiful.... First 2, not so much. I have attached pics of the groups. I think I'm just going to move on fro these partitions, unless someone has some thoughts.
Also here is the data.
53 GRAINS

CCI - 2628, 2611, 2611, 2625, 2597 - SD 11.5 ES 31.8

FED - 2622, 2607, 2604, 2600, 2613 - SD 7.7 ES 22.3

FIO - 2592, 2594, 2604, 2609, 2610 - SD 7.5 ES 18.7

 

[603Country]

The primers aren’t the problem. I’d get some new brass, some Accubonds, and try again.

And, I’ve had the unfortunate bad luck more than once of having a scope fail. As a matter of fact, I recently had a very accurate rifle shoot very bad groups. It was the scope. It just started wandering bullet holes around. With the new scope, all is well. You might try another scope, just to be sure.