Panda 30br First Outing

[Ccrider]

Decided to try the short load work up method described by RG Robinette- jam hard, working up from 32gr. of H4198, with neck tension .004 under size of finish round.

3 shot groups at 100 with flags shot at night. I adjusted the scope after the first group. Nothing spectacular. My guess is that the groups will tighten up as I come out of the lands some. We will see.

Also, my first time shooting in over a month. Gun handling was adequate but I never felt like I was in the zone. Plus I was rushing-missed the first quarter of tje Super Bowl.

 

[Ccrider]

Ok. Here is round 2. I came out of the lands .01. This still leaves me .032 into the lands. Winds gusting up to 15mph. I had flags and tried to pick a condition that was holding.

Between 33.5 and 34.5 looks promising. 32 also looks consistent.

 

[jimmymac]

I think I’d use the Tony Boyer method and avoid trying to find a tune in gusty conditions.

Some say it takes too many rounds with his method, but at least it will show you what powder and seating depth combo shows the most promise. Once that’s been established, work in smaller increments to get to the promised land. My .02.

Good luck. The 30BR is a lot of fun once you get the tune worked out.

 

[Ccrider]

I think I’d use the Tony Boyer method and avoid trying to find a tune in gusty conditions.

Some say it takes too many rounds with his method, but at least it will show you what powder and seating depth combo shows the most promise. Once that’s been established, work in smaller increments to get to the promised land. My .02.

Good luck. The 30BR is a lot of fun once you get the tune worked out.

I normally use the Boyer method. Just thought I would use @RGRobinett method. Seems a bit more simplistic and you end up at the same place.

 

[AlNyhus]

The Robinett method always gets you there. Lots of promise already...that's exactly the spots that show me some love.
Notice that you're seeing the same thing at those 3 power charges even coming back .010. -Al

 

[JimPag]

I have found that loading on the light side will work once in a while under certain conditions, but if you go to a match loaded light you'll get used like a rented Government mule if the wind picks up. Stick between 34.3 and 35. Stick with load nodes that have proven to work.

 

[Ccrider]

used like a rented Government mule

That there is funny.

 

[Ccrider]

The Robinett method always gets you there. Lots of promise already...that's exactly the spots that show me some love.
Notice that you're seeing the same thing at those 3 power charges even coming back .010. -Al

Yes. I saw where you posted to use the method also. Between you and Randy, I figure I knew I was in safe waters.

 

[AlNyhus]

When it shows me where it wants to be, I shoot each of those three charge weights coming back .005 each time until it gets bigger. You should see the same tendency across all three charge weights.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Ccrider]

When it shows me where it wants to be, I shoot each of those three charge weights coming back .005 each time until it gets bigger. You should see the same tendency across all three charge weights.

Good shootin' -Al

Well. You are right. I came out of the lands another .01. The rifle seem to come alive then, but for me pulling a shot:

 

[AlNyhus]

Repeat the good groups moving back .005 each time.

 

[Ccrider]

Repeat the good groups moving back .005 each time.

Will do.

 

[Ccrider]

Here is what I got moving out of the lands .005 each series. So, how would you interpret the results?Thanks

 

[TIMO]

Ccrider,
I would revisit the 34.7, (13). Column C, Row 3.
My rifle likes a hard jam but every rifle likes what it likes.
Tell us about your rifle.
Keep us updated.
Tim

 

[Ccrider]

Didn’t have much time but did get to shoot some this beautiful afternoon. Temperature was 20+ degrees warmer this afternoon and the sun was shining. The wind was less than 5mph.

I shot 3 5-shot groups. The first was -20 off of a hard jam with 34.9gr. A .200 group. Not what I expected.

Next I tried .15 of hard jam with 33.7gr. Went from mediocre to worse-.330- ouch!!!

After studying my previous groups, looking at the higher velocity I was getting today and considering it was a lots warmer, I decided to go back to -20 off hard jam and reduce the load to 33.7. Had enough brass prepped to shoot one more 5 shot group. Bingo! Call it lucky, call it good, .100 5 shot group. Pretty neat, an es of 1 for five shots.

I will continue to work in this area and see if it holds up. Should get my tuner placed on the barrel next week. Hopefully it will not change the tune much. Here is the target- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

[EEP]

If I’m interpreting your target notes correctly, 34.6gr 8thou off lands and go win some matches. Gives you 5thou throat erosion before having to change seating depth. It likes 3040fps +/-10, stick with it.

Good luck!

 

[Ccrider]

Had my gunsmith put an Ezell’s tuner on this gun before I finished up tuning. Was Chris’s to what impact the tuner would have on the tune. My guess was that I would have to tweak the tune after the tuner was put on. I was wrong.

I loaded 3 foulers/sighters and 5 rounds 34.7gr. .20 off of hard jam. The tuner changed the point of impact, moving it up about an inch and slightly to the right. Part of this could have been due to taking the barrel off and the thorough cleaning I gave it before putting back on. I adjusted for vertical and the third shot went where expected so I went to the target.

The first five shot group was .13. Everything felt good and my gun handling was decent. I am shooting from a 3 leg wooden bench so I have to execute consistently or it shows on the target.

I loaded 5 more 34.7 .20 off hard jam. I also loaded three sighters using 125gr TNTs to calibrate my Shotmarker. The TNTs went into a nice .19 three shot group. Pretty good considering there was no load development. These bullets are cheap but plenty good enough to practice with.


The second 5 shot group was a .16. Not shabby at all. The gun wanted to shoot better. I was mucking it up.

I figured I would load 5 more. Same load. This time I did my part and the gun shot a 5 shot .04 group. So, 34.7, .20 off of hard jam is the sweet spot.

Obviously, there is no need to adjust the tuner right now. I will leave it at the zero setting until I see a need to adjust it or just can’t resist playing with it to see how it changes the groups.

I may try some different powders just to see how they perform since I only have 8lbs of H4198. I will post my results when I do.

Here is the last target. Thanks for all of the feedback.

Charles

 

[muleystalker]

What bullets were you shooting? I see you load some 125 TNT's for fowlers but couldn't see what bullets you were using for this load workup.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[jimmymac]

That is shooting great. These 30BR's are a lot of fun. I've had excellent accuracy with H322. If you have any of that laying around, it might surprise you. Good luck.

 

[Ccrider]

That is shooting great. These 30BR's are a lot of fun. I've had excellent accuracy with H322. If you have any of that laying around, it might surprise you. Good luck.

Thanks. Got plenty of H322 and it is easy to find. Will definitely check it out.