Oh my, what happened!

[watercam]

Was shooting a mini-Palma this morning. First target managed a 149-9X out of 150 on reduced Palma targets. My tried and true RWS R50 ammo, Win. 52C with a used Anschutz 54 Supermatch barrel. Started the next string with a different lot of R50 and basically shot a shotgun pattern barely holding the 6-ring. Made adjustments and it did not matter. Went back to the first lot and things settled down again.
Is this kind of lot to lot variation from premium ammunition a common occurrence? I mean I am not the best shot on the line, and I have been known to blame my gear but this was extreme.
The only 'tuning' I have ever done is with action screws but I don't think I can rein in this combination.
Any ideas welcome!

 

[spclark]

Yes, sadly this can be expected with premium ammo. Really picky shooters with good reason test several lots at a time thru their gear before deciding which batch to buy a LOT of for future use.

Frinds who've moved away from high power into small bore claim a big motivation is not having to reload ammo. The pace of matches matters too of course but given how hard ammo - of any kind - is to come by these days I have to wonder how one can pick & choose between lots of Unobtainammo & not spend your entire life savings.

(Who's selling RWS50 these days? Every supplier I know's had it back-ordered for months. It works in my Anschutz for mini Palma too....)

Keep in mind too you might try that new batch after a thorough cleaning of your barrel. Even in the same brand it's entirely possible a change of lot might take 20 or 50 rounds to settle in. That's typical between changes in brands, maybe it'd help in your case? Just a thought....

 

[watercam]

Good thought, it started the day clean but was fouled from the first lot when I started the next one. Will give it a go.
Champions Choice still seems to have R50 - paid $18/50 rounds about a month ago.

 

[Steve Blair]

Next time you shoot over in Phoenix, schedule a day and make an appointment at the Lapua Service Center in Mesa. They will put your rifle in a machine rest, test it against a number of lots, and sell you the lot that shoots best. Could save a lot of time and frustration.

 

[1Merlin]

Not familiar with the target.... How big is a 6 ring.? What does that equate to in group size?

 

[watercam]

6-ring on a Mini-Palma target is about 5" for the 800 yd. equivalent, 4.5" for the 900 and 1000 yd. equivalent.
Shot at 100 yds.. X-ring is about .75", 10-ring is about 1.5".
Basically I went from 1-moa for one lot of R50 to 5moa for another. Had not experienced this before but I do not shoot that much rimfire.

 

[watercam]

The Lapua Center idea would be great but not going to happen any time soon. With money tight right now I believe I will try and tune my rifle to the ammunition I have to start.
With all of your other center fire matches Steve, do you shoot rimfire as well?

 

[spclark]

With all of your other center fire matches Steve, do you shoot rimfire as well?

Not as much as I'd like to!

With our midwest winters the high power season ends early October. From then thru early April I've been shooting smallbore league at the historic Wheaton Rifle Club for several years. Done a little smallbore prone but conflicts with other matches is inevitable & I still prefer long range to other disciplines.

Shortage of ammo this year cut into my plans too; I've enough for a couple more seasons of both but the outdoor prone events seem to go better for me with something pricier than the Wolf I use for league.

 

[rayjay]

If you are on a budget you should try some lots of Lapua Center X . It works well in some guns and is far less money than the RWS. Eley Match EPS might also give good results.

At 100 yds any issues with ammo is magnified dramatically.

 

[Steve Blair]

The Lapua Center idea would be great but not going to happen any time soon. With money tight right now I believe I will try and tune my rifle to the ammunition I have to start.
With all of your other center fire matches Steve, do you shoot rimfire as well?

[br]
Mike, no, I have no more energy. [br]
Several of the Phoenix shooters who shoot rimfire have spoken well of the service center.

 

[spclark]

Champions Choice still seems to have R50 - paid $18/50 rounds about a month ago.

Stopped by their shop on Commercial Row after yesterday's shooting was done. They had bricks 'on sale' for $150 so I picked up a couple....

Just out of curiosity, what lot #'s were you using, with both good and not so results?

I have less than ~ 150 rounds of the lot I bought for a mini Palma last year. Be curious to see how the new lot compares when fired thru either of my two Annies.