My First 500 group...,kind of long with target pic)

[P1ZombieKiller]

I have a 6mm/284,Sako action, Kreiger 28" 1:11 twist, Mcmillan stock, Nikon Monarch 6-24x50) and have never shot it past 270 yards,I know... such a waste). I just never had a place to shoot it other than the deer lease, and when we went down there, I was having neck thickness issues and the rounds would not chamber. Anyway, I took it to the new gun club I joined last month down here in Texas,free plug... www.brgc.net ) and I decided to do a little load development. I loaded 87 grn v-max with H4831. Loaded 50.0, 55.2, 55.5, 55.7, and 56.0 and was going to shoot over the chronograph. Knowing I was going down there for the first time, and they had a 500 yard range,the whole reason I joined), I loaded up an extra 20 rounds of the lowest powder charge to play with if I had some extra time. Got all the way down there and of course.... the battery was dead in the chrono. So with no chornograph to work with, I decided to take those extra rounds and do a little playing since I drove 2 hours and had a kitchen pass for the day.

I took those 20 rounds, and was able to zero the scope, and then started playing around with drop at 300 – 500 yards on the 12” steel gongs they have there. When I hit the 500 yard gong 3 times in a row towards the middle, I decided to take those last 5 rounds and shot for group at 500 yards.

Now this was my first time to ever shoot 500 yards for group with any gun. I have shot 500 yards at steel plates before with several guns, but never at paper. The day was perfect. 53 degrees. Very little if any wind. Not a cloud in the sky. After the 15 rounds, I cleaned the barrel, and then let it cool,not sure if that was right or wrong… but that’s what I did). I shot the 5 rounds and then went down to retrieve my target. I was amazed that I could do that. Not only that I did it, but with a load I have never shot before. I just wanted to share that with a few of the other newer guys to this sport. As one very wise poster on this site had said before. “500 yards is just one more zero'd spot on your scope. Nothing more”.

 

[Preacher]

Very nice group for a 500 yard V-max.........

 

[AndyW]

Curious what velocity you are getting with the 87 grain Vmax?

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

I have not chrono'd this exact load. I was getting 3550 out of the other load I had with 87 grains, but that was with RL-22. I am going this weekend to shoot again with those loads since the battery was dead in the chrono. I also loaded those same loads with Berger 88grn flat base. I have heard too many bad things about the 87 v-max and how inconsistent they have been between lots.

I'll post the info here when done.

 

[6BR]

Zombie, NICE shooting with 87grn V-Max. I am guessing with the powder amount your using now, your probably getting close to 3600fps or faster. If you want the best bullet for varmint hunting at ranges past 300 yards, you should really try the 105grn A-Max. The 105grn A-Max will give you the best of both worlds when it comes to varmint hunting at long range. It has excellent BC .500, is way more consistent than the 87grn V-Max and it expands very well on varmints like Pdogs and Squirrels and also works very well for coyotes. I am using the 105grn A-Max out of my 6BR and it is very accurate. I am running them right at 2910fps, I am thinking you would be able to run them around 3200fps. I've also heard really good things about the 88grn Berger. Good luck and let us know how everything works.

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

If you want the best bullet for varmint hunting at ranges past 300 yards, you should really try the 105grn A-Max. I've also heard really good things about the 88grn Berger. Good luck and let us know how everything works.

I have 2 barrels. This one is 1:11 twist, so 87/88 is all I want to go in it. I have another krieger in 1:9 twist that fits this action, but I'm waiting the send it out to get threaded for a supressor. When that is done, I plan on puttig in on this same gun, and 105 v-max's are the first bullet I plan on trying.

Meanwhile, I did buy a box of 88grn FB Bergers and I'm shooting them Sunday with the other 87 v-max to see which one shoots better. When i finish, I hope to post them here just like you did on your other post.