Pointing-trimming 7mm 180 Berger Hybrids

[Cakes]

For those of you out there that point or point/trim the 180 hybrids; With the recommended insert are you able to completely close the metplat? I realize it depends on jacket thickness and with a #1 whidden insert the best I can get is approx. 50% of original without getting excessive "coning" on the tip. Been too windy to compare but curious what others are seeing when pointing the 180's in regards to the metplat size after pointing? Eric in DL

 

[sdeal5]

For those of you out there that point or point/trim the 180 hybrids; With the recommended insert are you able to completely close the metplat? I realize it depends on jacket thickness and with a #1 whidden insert the best I can get is approx. 50% of original without getting excessive "coning" on the tip. Been too windy to compare but curious what others are seeing when pointing the 180's in regards to the metplat size after pointing? Eric in DL

Eric----I use the Hoover accuracy one equipment and can get them closed back up nearly all the way with no deformity. Could squeeze them on down, but what I am doing seems to be working, so I think I'll leave well enough alone! Hoover gives you many options on the tipping punches. It can get pricey if you load very many different bullets, but they really work well and John is a very helpful guy to deal with------scott

 

[Terry]

Use the "0".

Terry

 

[Steve Blair]

I trim .010" with the Hoover trimmer and point with the Whidden and #1 insert. The points are not closed completely but are ~½ the original tip diameter. They hold better vertical and print ~6" higher @ 1000. At 2940 muzzle velocity, that calculates to a .362 G7 BC, just under a 5% improvement. Data is from actual firing tests with the same load.

 

[FroggyOne2]

From what I walked away with when I had a conversation with Bryan at Perry this year is that you don't want to close the tips all the way up. I don't for fear of disturbing the jacket of the bullet. There is a small hole that is about half the original meplat hole. With the 22 cal bullets, the hole looks very small. I could tell that it vastly improved verticale dispersion!

 

[Cakes]

I appreciate the comments. Looking at the picture I feel a bit more comfortable as my setup produces identical points. Got to the range today and was limited to 200yds but needed to confirm my "pointing method" didn't detract from my known accurate load and all worked out just fine. I'll test them @ 800/1000 this weekend at a f-class match. EJ

 

[Steve Blair]

Good luck and good shooting.

 

[elmerdeer]

Looking forward for when you post your findings, if the pointing actually helps with elevation, wind and accuracy at 1000yards.
Thx
Elmer

 

[nosualc]

I'm anxious to hear Eric's thoughts on this, as today's match was shot in some tough wind.

-nosualc

 

[Cakes]

Long cold day at the range, even saw a few snow flakes!! Long hot shower after 4 hour drive home felt gooood!! As for a comparison of plain vs pointed/trimmed 180's....? Just don't know. Today's conditions while tough where no comparison to the winds at the ND. LR Regions where my .284 needed 10 minutes of wind. today only 2. (better bc = less windage required??) Hot & dry vs. cold & humid. F-class rules vs Fullbore where the shot must be taken within 45-50 sec. Today several times found myself "having" to take the shot before I had the conditions I wanted. About the only thing I really noticed was I dropped my points 99% left or right vs. the occasional top or bottom. So maaaybe I get a little warm & fuzzy from reduced vertical. For my .284, no difference in come-ups..standard 24 minutes +/- a bit. I'll continue the comparison next spring but for now after 1400 rounds time to put the rigs to bed for the winter. Enjoyed the summer boys!! Eric in DL

 

[Steve Blair]

Pointing will not produce enough B.C improvement to see a significant difference in wind, too many variables. There may be an occasional 9 avoided but it is impossible to attribute it to pointing. You noted two things that indicate an improved and more consistent B.C. First, less apparent vertical. My experience is that this is fairly subtle, just somewhat less up and down due to better uniformity. Second, if your conditions were cold, you had higher air density and should have needed more elevation to zero. If you did not, that would argue for a slightly improved B.C. Mine only showed ~4.9%, not exactly game changing. If the only change was improved vertical, I would still trim and point. Every little bit helps. [br]
We are just getting started with our fall tournaments. We had our last LR weekend of the year at Camp Pendlton last Saturday and Sunday. CA State LR - Nov. 2-4, 29 Palms LR Regional - Nov. 15-16, Arizona State LR - November 17-18 and the AZ State Palma - Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Then, we are done until the Berger SW Nats in early February. That is a lot of trimming and pointing.

 

[Nomad47]

Steve, will you and Eric be at Ben Avery Nov 17 & 18? If so, I will have to come and watch. I will be parked in Buckeye, AZ at that time.

Looking at Google Earth, I think I found a place where I can bang steel out to 1100 yards Between Buckeye and Gila Bend.

 

[Steve Blair]

Bill,

I will be at Ben Avery for the AZ LR Championship, Nov. 17-18. I am driving over from 29 Palms when we finish the prone matches. If you can't find some space between Buckeye and Gila Bend, we need to talk about your vision. Seriously, there is a lot of BLM land out that way. Just make sure you are outside the city limits of Buckeye or Goodyear.

 

[Nomad47]

LOL on the vision, Steve. We usually park for a month south of Tonopah (AZ, not NV) and there is BLM land south of there and 1000 yards.

Across SR85 from the Buckeye Hills Shooting Range (and which is BLM land), I think I found a place where I can set up my portable steel at any distance from 600 to 1100 yards and not have any problems with vegetation getting in the way.

Will you be early for the AZ matches? Any plans if you are early?

Edit: Oops, I see there are no days in between.

 

[Steve Blair]

No, the 29 Palms LR Regional prone matches are over around 1300 on the 16th. It is about a 4½ hour drive from 29 Palms to North Phoenix and I will have a dirty gun needing cleaning and checking. The best time to get together would be Saturday afternoon or evening after the first day of matches. [br]
I would not normally shoot matches back to back like this but it is just too tempting to shoot at Ben Avery. I won the 29 Palms Regional in F-Open last year and hope to repeat. I suspect there might be a few other folks there with a different plan.

 

[Nomad47]

Do you shoot at the Marine Base outside 29 Palms? We have stayed at an RV Park just off the base while we visited Joshua Tree National park.

You are welcome to clean your dirty rifle at my motorhome. But I assume you clean it in your hotel room.

 

[Steve Blair]

Yes, the Regional is held at the base. They have a nice 1000 yard range that is known for treacherous winds. This will be the 53rd annual 29 Palms LR Regional. For us SoCal types, this is kind of a special event, once per year. I'll be driving my Suburban, sort of a miniature version of your behemoth. I carry everything needed when attending these matches.

 

[Nomad47]

And driving back to San Diego Sunday evening, I assume. Figured you would have everything you could possibly need with you. Did you drive to Raton?
You're shooting a 284 Shehane and 180 Hybrids, correct?

 

[Steve Blair]

Yes, it's about 6 hours from Phoenix. I drove to Raton, about 16 hours in two days. I'm still shooting the Shehane with Hybrids. It is shooting well and see no reason to change. Maybe next year.

 

[Nomad47]

We drove thru Raton & Taos on our way to AZ this year.

And I need to make an apology to the OP for hijacking his thread. I didn't intend to get so carried away.