Sometimes I am Amazed

[WyleWD]

Factory hunting rifle, repeating sub moa groups you are gtg. A few single shot, cold bore shots, that stay "in group" over time(days) and you have confirmed the load/optic. I do this over the course of a month, same target and the rifle travels as I would when hunting. Because hunting is really the first shot.

Exactly! WD

 

[ToddKS]

The reloading for competition/ accuracy has indeed become a “Rabbit Hole“ to market expensive equipment to those OCD types that seem to gravitate to this sport.

Just go to “You Tube” and immerse yourself in the various reloading videos. The “Expert/Champion” shooter starts off annealing their brass in a $1400 ultimate machine. Then they travel across their 40x60 ft. reloading/gun room to trim their brass on a $400+ trimmer. The next step finds us sizing n expanding on a multi- thousand $ press With touch screen controls. Now the reloader uses a $700 primer seating tool with .005” accuracy Because the designer tested the unit and decreased their group size using a statistically sized sample. Powder is dispensed on a $6000 ultimate scale/ trickler. Finally, the bullet is seated on an arbor press that is instrumented to read seating pressure and that info is feed to a laptop computer. The seating pressure is graphically displayed To indicate level of consistency. I have skipped the rifle, scope, custom front rest, and e-target system used for testing. After all this, I am living in a “ Van down by the River”.

“Rabbit Hole” indeed!

There is a trade off between time and money. You can buy time savings, but it costs money.

 

[Bob3700]

There is a trade off between time and money. You can buy time savings, but it costs money.

I agree. The other side of that coin is “ Monkey See, Monkey Do”!

if at the match, the winner had a turd tied to the barrel, at the next match, everyone would have turds!

Also, don”t forget the bling/ testosterone factor!

 

[David Milisock]

Having abandoned Sierra Bullets because of supply and availability issues, I selected the Hornady 75 Vmax as a replacement for predator hunting applications for my 243 Win's. This means I have to engage in the dreaded load development process which I hate.

A testament to how much I hate it is that a few months ago I loaded up some test loads with Varget but kept waiting for a cloudy and low wind day to test. I had several of those days over the last few months but made excuses not to test the loads. Finally, I gritted my teeth and test them on Friday.

I know this is not usual or unique but sometimes it does amaze me how a relatively small changes in powder charge can influence group size. For example:

Test 1: 36.0 g - Group 0.958
Test 2: 36.5 g - Group 0.602
Test 3: 37.0 g - Group 1.095

Just a 0.5 grain change made a significant difference. It just made me re-appreciate how essential load development can be.

PS: If some verification tests validate Test 2, I am good to go. That enough for what I need, no more load development.

I use the VMAX in my 6MM Remington and my 223 with good results in terms of accuracy and performance on game. With the 6MM all hits are devastating even out to 500 and 600 yards, the bullets expand well. In close (300 yards or less) all hits are explosive; head shots are unbelievable. The 223 is great out to 350 and I have made one hit at 500 but not as devastating as the 6MM at that range.

I like the VMAX in the 6MM as I can push them hard enough to overcome poor BC/SD and they are fragile enough to not worry that a miss can bounce off into a dangerous place. In heavy rain they have exploded in air for me twice.

 

[K22]

I use the VMAX in my 6MM Remington and my 223 with good results in terms of accuracy and performance on game. With the 6MM all hits are devastating even out to 500 and 600 yards, the bullets expand well. In close (300 yards or less) all hits are explosive; head shots are unbelievable. The 223 is great out to 350 and I have made one hit at 500 but not as devastating as the 6MM at that range.

I like the VMAX in the 6MM as I can push them hard enough to overcome poor BC/SD and they are fragile enough to not worry that a miss can bounce off into a dangerous place. In heavy rain they have exploded in air for me twice.

95% of my shot opportunities are under 300 yards. Thanks for the info.

 

[Straightshooter1]

The reloading for competition/ accuracy has indeed become a “Rabbit Hole“ to market expensive equipment to those OCD types that seem to gravitate to this sport.

Just go to “You Tube” and immerse yourself in the various reloading videos. The “Expert/Champion” shooter starts off annealing their brass in a $1400 ultimate machine. Then they travel across their 40x60 ft. reloading/gun room to trim their brass on a $400+ trimmer. The next step finds us sizing n expanding on a multi- thousand $ press With touch screen controls. Now the reloader uses a $700 primer seating tool with .005” accuracy Because the designer tested the unit and decreased their group size using a statistically sized sample. Powder is dispensed on a $6000 ultimate scale/ trickler. Finally, the bullet is seated on an arbor press that is instrumented to read seating pressure and that info is feed to a laptop computer. The seating pressure is graphically displayed To indicate level of consistency. I have skipped the rifle, scope, custom front rest, and e-target system used for testing. After all this, I am living in a “ Van down by the River”.

“Rabbit Hole” indeed!

. . . oh, and how about the machining tools to further blue print an action, bolt and barrel.