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I use spreadsheets and MS Project at work. Love keeping my data like this, but also have it all written in my load book.Sweet Spreadsheet. I'm going to start making one's like that.
I make spread sheets like this. Varmint hunting rifle. This was a ladder test. Always room for improvement. I don't care about ES , SD or % fill, just group size. Don't know why I shot it at 50 yards. They may have been cutting the grass? Not my favorite bullet. 14 twist doesn't like 70 gr and up bullets.Sweet Spreadsheet. I'm going to start making one's like that.
Date | Bullet | Powder | Wt. | Primer | COAL | Wilson | Bushing | FPS | ES | Horiz | Vert | no. shots | Pressue | Annealed | Comment | Total Shots | |
70 BK | 8208 | 33.3 | BR4 | 2.165 | 165 | 265 | lost | 0.245 | 0.195 | no | 50 yrds | ||||||
70 BK | 8208 | 33.6 | BR4 | 2.165 | 165 | 265 | 3294 | no | v slt ej mark | ||||||||
70 BK | 8208 | 33.9 | BR4 | 2.165 | 165 | 265 | 3327 | no | v slt ej mark | ||||||||
70 BK | 8208 | 34.2 | BR4 | 2.165 | 165 | 265 | 3332 | no | v slt ej mark | ||||||||
70 BK | 8208 | 34.5 | BR4 | 2.165 | 165 | 265 | 3384 | v slt ej mark |
A couple of my groups were fairly decent. If I can repeat and get 2" consistently at 100 yards, I am good for what I do.I could not make the ftx bullet group like I thought it should from my 336. I tried several combinations but around 2.5 inch at 100 was the best I could come up with. Suggestions from others for 748 and Hornady RN 150's got me what I was looking for.
Todd
Thank you sir. I am headed in that direction. I am a newby and there is a lot of info out there, but that is a simple way to look at it. The one load just blew the others out of the water.I would add that, in my opinion, the velocity variation should not be a deciding factor in your choice of loads. I'd focus solely on the grouping, and whether that meets your requirements.
I am running probably 20fps above that at 37. Accuracy was the worst at that load.I'm running the same powder, bullet, with winchester primer, federal cases at 2.565 in Marlin 30AW. You're in the right area. I load at 37.0 gr snd have shot it up to 80 degrees without any pressure issues. To the point, I never had any solid loads until I got to 36.5 gr, then it starting shooting really good and stayed solid and maintained vertical and spread all the way to 37.5 gr, where I stopped.
I found my flyers were from putting rest forward under forestock wood. Place the rest back near the receiver and shoulder it tight and it does well. Just shot s 5 shot group of 5" at 300 yd on Tuesday, which is it's norm. Temp was 48 degrees. At 100, same day, my group was 1.1". It will hold the same spread at 30 degrees, and at 80 degrees. I would look for the entire range where vertical poi stays consistent and work from there.
FYI's:
1) Hornady says 37.0 is fine and stands by it, though hogdon says 35.5 so use you best judgement.
2) That powder is somewhat temp sensitive, so expect poi to shift.
3) My marlin chamber is generous, and I got 14/1000ths shoulder migration.
EDIT: My velocity at 37.0 gr is 2365 fps.
What rifle? What barrel length? What barrel twist? What brass? What H2O volume on fired case? What cartridge base-to ogive measurement when your overall length is 2.535"? What max OAL for your chamber for that bullet? Where are you placing your rest? Are you worried about scope scars? Etc., etc.I am running probably 20fps above that at 37. Accuracy was the worst at that load.
I may be in the minority here, but my father and several uncles used the 30-30 Model 94 Win in the 50's through the 80's hunting eastern white tail deer where shot were rarely, if ever over 150 yards. All were successful even with open sights and factory ammo.Three shots per group.
This was 50 yards, so really the best would have been 2" groups at 100 yards. I ain"t that good, haha.
Marlin 336 with 1-6x32 LPVO.
Additional data on the cases for each group and velocity.
View attachment 1404953
I have some PPU cases coming in so I am using the same headstamp. Computer is only used to catalog information.wow get rid of the computer and start shooting.
get rid of mixed cases and start with 100 name brand new
weight sort them to remove any odd balls
Just looking for the most accurate load, load up 100 or so and move to the next. I am pretty happy with the results overall. And I won't be using this rifle for anything over 100 yards or I would have out a higher power scope on it. So, I will be working out to 100 yards next.I may be in the minority here, but my father and several uncles used the 30-30 Model 94 Win in the 50's through the 80's hunting eastern white tail deer where shot were rarely, if ever over 150 yards. All were successful even with open sights and factory ammo.
If you have a load that will consistently group 3 to 4" at 100 yards you will be fine for deer hunting if that is your goal and if your shooting opportunities are in the 150 yards and under range.
The 30-30 lever rifle in a great hunting rifle in thick cover but in my opinion, does not lend itself to extensive load development trying to squeeze a few tenths reduction in group size because of all the variables in a level rifle.
You might be better served by selecting one of the best loads and start practicing in field positions. This will yield more dividends than hours of load development on the bench unless that is what you like to do.