tuning vertical at mid range

[eric n]

Is it best to tune a little vertical in your load at 300 and 600 yds to try and cheat the wind?

I think I would like to throw my hat into the local varmint matches and practice for f/tr. I have an action that needed a barrel so I put a 7 tw 223 on it . Shows promise, however I'm unsure which direction to go.

Initial development at 100 was flawed as it was blowing 20+ mph so I hoped to chrony and find pressure but left the chrony at home. A few loads looked like they had potential so I tried them another day at 300m and a different range, no chrony again as its a pita to set up at this range.
Wind was a bit tricky on the flags and coming from 8 to 2 but the mirage was steady and I felt like I shot the same condition throughout the test.
What direction would you go with this? Shooting 80 bergers, 28'' barrel, harris bipod. + and - are from jam and the 24.5 at .020 off was skewed.. I held for wind through a switch because the 1st 2 looked so good, was hoping for less vertical.
I sure would appreciate your thoughts on it, I need to stop burning barrels up in load development.lol
Thank you,
Eric

 

[seymour fish]

Tony Boyer say YES at 100-200-300. About half to one bullet hole of vertical. should give nice round groups all the way to 1000. Sometimes I find a load that prints a perfect waterline at 1000 that 'seems' wind sensitive, and the next charge increment upward tightens right up with 1-2" of vertical and much less horizontal. Tubb mentioned he thought the wide flat waterline was some odd barrel harmonic obviated by the next increase powder charge. Thus synthesizing it, tune to eliminate horizontal harmonic/wind sensitivity. Allow yourself 2" of vertical in FTR at 1000 with roundish groups, and the bullets should follow the wind predictably, which is all you can hope for. Seymour

 

[Joe Salt]

Eric I would work with 24.3 Gr. and play with seating depth, a tenth of a grain at a time with powder if that changes it. If you keep holding, you will never know if it will shoot in the wind. Even at a 1000 yards I will not hold, because I've gotten bit too many times thinking I could out guess the wind. I like trying the latter test just so I know where I am as far as vertical, But like Seymour fish said the wide water line is not where you want to be. A lot of times you can get rid of vertical with changing seating depth.

Joe salt

 

[skiutah02]

I would work with 24.3 Gr. and play with seating depth, a tenth of a grain at a time with powder if that changes it.

This is good advice

 

[effendude]

Ski's recommendation is a good start. I would recommend you don't attempt load development unless conditions are ideal. Wind may throw some unknown variables into your tests. Early am or late evening are often the best times. Otherwise you are just wasting components IMHO.
Scott

 

[eric n]

Thank you for the insight gentlemen.
I purposely shot in the wind to try and tune and get practice reading mirage after reading Boyer's book... I truly enjoy the challenge of holding but have known for a while I need a good front rest for development( and ditching the harris).
It is obvious to me now I will save money in the long run, by getting rid of the variables earlier.
As always, thanks for taking the time to help the new guys!
Eric

 

[rmist]

So to get rid of a large horizontal group along the waterline you're supposed to add more powder? I have been shooting 600 yards with a 6BR and usually have a large flat group (2"-3"-even 4") !! At 100 and 200 yards it's a nice little bug hole with a tiny bit of vertical.

Eric what powder and primer are you using?

Thanks
Rmist

 

[eric n]

Varget and cci 450's.