Service Rifle Question...

[ChadCollins]

Concerning reloading for SR.....Im new to service rifle. I’ve been shooting a 6BR and been reloading for it for some time now. OF course the 6BR is easy. Varget and Berger 105 VLD. Not many reasons to experiment with much else....Hense my question for service rifle reloading..

I use a Redding full length bushing sizer and a Forrester ultra seating die for my 6BR.

I’m using a second hand standard Redding FL sizing die and seater. I feel like I’d like to invest in a better die setup since I have a nice new service rifle.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Chad

 

[XTR]

I doubt it.

How much position shooting have you been doing? The target it big, the reason things don't go into the X or 10 ring in SR competition is that you didn't point it there.

You'd be better off investing the $$ into a SCATT system and/or a 22LR upper to practice more.

 

[ChadCollins]

I doubt it.

How much position shooting have you been doing? The target it big, the reason things don't go into the X or 10 ring in SR competition is that you didn't point it there.

You'd be better off investing the $$ into a SCATT system and/or a 22LR upper to practice more.

I’m mostly a smallbore shooter anyways usually 1598 or better with irons or scope. I do have a scatt and it is a great tool. I’m just very green when it comes to reloading. So many rabbit holes to get lost in it seems.

Chad

 

[GSS]

Concerning reloading for SR.....Im new to service rifle. I’ve been shooting a 6BR and been reloading for it for some time now. OF course the 6BR is easy. Varget and Berger 105 VLD. Not many reasons to experiment with much else....Hense my question for service rifle reloading..

I use a Redding full length bushing sizer and a Forrester ultra seating die for my 6BR.

I’m using a second hand standard Redding FL sizing die and seater. I feel like I’d like to invest in a better die setup since I have a nice new service rifle.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Chad

Service Rifle reloading is simple..
Service Rifle is a position / shot execution / marksmanship contest with a 2 MOA 10 ring, not a reloading contest or equipment race.

As long as you have a decent 1x7 - 1x8 twist barrel that is free floated you are good to go out to 600 yards with tried and true mag length Sierra 77's or Hornady 75gr. hpbt's over 24 grains of Reloader 15 or Varget.

Once you are knocking on the door of HM scores ( 97% Avg ) you could experiment with better bullets for 600 yard slow prone stage.

I recommend you buy an RCBS X Die, Set a goal of earning the Distinguished Riflemans Badge and go shoot.

You make Master / Highmaster in Service Rifle at the range, not at the reloading bench.

If you have a local Master or Highmaster shooter at the range/s you will be shooting / competing at tell him you are new to this game and looking to learn. The hands on 1st hand coaching you get will help you progress the fastest.

Keep us posted how it goes as you work your way up the classification ladder.

 

[ChadCollins]

Service Rifle reloading is simple as it is a position / shot execution contest with a 2 MOA 10 ring, not a reloading contest or equipment race.

As long as you have a decent 1x7 - 1x8 twist barrel that is free floated you are good to go out to 600 yards with tried and true mag length Sierra 77's or Hornady 75gr. hpbt's over 24 grains of Reloader 15 or Varget. Once you are knocking on the door of HM scores ( 97% Avg ) you could experiment with better bullets for 600 yard slow prone stage.

I recommend you buy an RCBS X Die and go shoot.

You make Master / Highmaster in Service Rifle at the range, not at the reloading bench.

I think my barrel is good. My prone position is good. Sitting and standing will be another story.

My first 200yd local match with irons. 69 Sierras accuracy load from the manual.

I’ll read up on the RCBS X dies!

 

[DR_2297]

Stuff 23.8 - 24.0 grains of R15 or Varget behind a 75/77 and go shoot.

 

[GSS]

I’m mostly a smallbore shooter anyways usually 1598 or better with irons or scope. I do have a scatt and it is a great tool. I’m just very green when it comes to reloading. So many rabbit holes to get lost in it seems.

Chad

Experienced 3p or 4p Smallbore rifle shooters typically progress very quickly in Service Rifle or Match Rifle position shooting.

The Scatt is an awesome training tool for both.

 

[243winxb]

Sierra http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm

Reloading for Semi-Autos and Service Rifles

 

[marty dabney]

Smallbore shooters do seem to progress faster than most in Service rifle/XTC so quality reloading will serve you well.there are many good loads out there that work great without having to think about it but that comes with caveats. Some of those loads dont always work for everybody so if youre getting offcall shots then dont be afraid to try a different load. Your dies are fine.I got by for a while with Lee RGB dies.

 

[SWRichmond]

I think my barrel is good. My prone position is good. Sitting and standing will be another story.

My first 200yd local match with irons. 69 Sierras accuracy load from the manual.

I’ll read up on the RCBS X dies!

That doesnt look like the MR52 target.

 

[Twdmar]

Dont overthink it. Lake city brass, rem 7.5 primers. There are certain loads that just seem to work for service rifles. Look at the white oak arms page, there are loads there that work. I use 23.5 of re-15 with 77s and 80s and for 200 the hornady 55fmj will clean no problem with about any load it seems.

 

[Michael C]

Chad, you may want to head over to http://www.usrifleteams.com as most of us XTC service rifle and match rifle guys hang out there. I just legged out a couple of months ago and agree with everything said about shooting more reloading less. Here is what I do: any dies will work but I buy the best I can afford. I load all my 200 and 300 yard ammunition on a Dillon. Brass gets cleaned and sized prior to the progressive reloading. 24.2g of Varget is what I used for a long time until I started shooting lots of Palma, the I needed the Varget for that and switched my service rifle load to 23.2g IMR 8208xbr. Same load for 80g SMK, or 80.5 Berger. I believe it actually shoots better because it meters better in the Dillon. I single stage my 80s but honestly I don’t really think it matters for 600.
Dry fire offhand practice with all your gear on at least one a week. I would normally do 22 dry offhand twice or more and the same for sitting. That seemed to pay off more than anything else, and it’s even better than actually shooting. Enjoy the journey!
Mike

 

[DR1586]

The sizing did is fine. You may want to buy a micrometer sweater for ease of adjusting when switching from 75/77 to 80s. However, you can do just fine shooting lag length ammo all the way back. Another option is to have 2 standard seaters and label them for mag length and 80’s. Don’t overthink loading for a SR. Varget works great, and don’t get particular about brass or primers. Damn near anything will work in that regards. Best 800agg I ever shot was with mixed Year LC Brass and meter-thrown charges. Focus on cleaning offhand and everything else will fall into place.

 

[Downhill]

In service rifle a decent "vanilla" load will work (that part was figured out a long time ago). Holding and dry fire exercises are incredibly beneficial. Spend every spare moment improving your wind reading skill. Service rifle is won at 200 and lost at 600. I run lake city brass, cci small rifle primers, 26g cfe223 behind a nosler 52CC for the shortlines and 24.5g Varget behind the 80 Nosler Custom Comp for 600. If I feel lazy the 77's at mag length for the whole match.