What do I do now, 6BR help

[pdhntr]

As it was so nice today, I did some shooting with the rifle I hope to attend some matches with this year.

I guess I am thinking about 600 yards bench rest? Anyhow, it is a heavy barrel 6 Br. I am shooting Berger 105 Hybrid with Varget.

First question: I loaded all rounds to .015 jam. Anyone see a problem with that?

Second question: It seems 29.3 and 29.5 are really close to printing the same. Do I keep looking for loads, or stretch this thing out to 600 right away, and see what they do? I am able to shoot 600 at my place, so testing is not a problem.

Third question: I forgot to load up some at 29.4. Do I really need to test 29.4?

Thanks guys for any help, I really don't know much about what I am doing right now.

Jim

 

[lawman29]

Read these, you're getting ahead of yourself.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...-a-long-range-shooter-can-understand.3920005/
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/round-robin.3900957/#post-36759143
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/long-range-load-development.3882104/

 

[Barrel Nut]

Great start, but we always think we can do better, don't we? I'd test to be sure you can removed an unfired round from your chamber without pulling the bullet out and dumping powder all over the place. That may not be a deal killer because shooters will pay almost any price for improved precision. But you should know if a .015 jam is a potential problem or not.

If it were me, I'd do a little seating depth testing to see what happens. And then do some narrowly focused charge weight testing again if for no other reason to confirm that you can duplicate your already good results. Sometimes all the bullets seem to want to fall into the same hole and you should be sure a good group is the real deal as opposed to some kind of fluke.

Full disclosure: I like testing. If you hate it, just load up and check the next match schedule.

 

[Dan Hall]

The seating depth is probably close to perfect. Try a few more groups to make sure. That should answer question #1.
#2...try everything from 29.3 to 30.0 grains. .2 or .3 grains between loads is good.
#3...29.4 probably won't be needed. I would guess the 29.5 grain load will shoot great, you may have thrown that flyer yourself.

Try two groups of each load. Also try shooting your groups at 200 or 300 yards, if you can, it will tell you more.

Good luck.

 

[pdhntr]

Great start, but we always think we can do better, don't we? I'd test to be sure you can removed an unfired round from your chamber without pulling the bullet out and dumping powder all over the place. That may not be a deal killer because shooters will pay almost any price for improved precision. But you should know if a .015 jam is a potential problem or not.

If it were me, I'd do a little seating depth testing to see what happens. And then do some narrowly focused charge weight testing again if for no other reason to confirm that you can duplicate your already good results. Sometimes all the bullets seem to want to fall into the same hole and you should be sure a good group is the real deal as opposed to some kind of fluke.

Full disclosure: I like testing. If you hate it, just load up and check the next match schedule.

I totally forgot about pulling a loaded round out of the chamber. Thanks for bringing that up.

I am guessing with the little neck tension (bullet grip per fguffey?) I have, I will dump the entire contents into the trigger mechanism.

I am going to have to do seating depth test. I like to test. I have to test more. I was asking because I didn't know what to test next and you gave me something. Thanks.

Jim

 

[pdhntr]

The seating depth is probably close to perfect. Try a few more groups to make sure. That should answer question #1.
#2...try everything from 29.3 to 30.0 grains. .2 or .3 grains between loads is good.
#3...29.4 probably won't be needed. I would guess the 29.5 grain load will shoot great, you may have thrown that flyer yourself.

Try two groups of each load. Also try shooting your groups at 200 or 300 yards, if you can, it will tell you more.

Good luck.

I will try going up in powder from 29.5 to see what happens.

That isn't a flyer, for once in my life. It is a sighter from my other 6 BR to get the scope on. There was a big X to the left of the pic. I shot a total of 8 rounds.

I am going to have to look carefully at my range again. I can do 185 before I hit the valley using my concrete bench. I can do 300 from the deck of the house, but the bench is not as stable as I would like it, and Marie gets a little "anxious" when I shoot from there.

I might be able to build an elevated target that can get me to 200 yds. 300 can't be done. The next yardage I can do is 600.

I should probably look at doing the rest of my testing at 200.

Thanks.

Jim

 

[Dan Hall]

I also do my tuning at 200 yards, because that's as far as my range goes, and it helps me identify issues better. My 6 BRs like 30.0 grains of Varget under 103 gr. VLDs. Good luck finding a load for your rifle.

 

[lawman29]

Jim,

Read the threads I posted! Some very accomplished competitors have shared great advice in those posts. Generally as follows:
1) If you can test at the distance you are going to compete do all of your testing at that distance!! You stated you can test at 600 so do it all at that distance. In addition, to the logical benefits of 600 in developing a load, you are "practicing" for a competition every time you "pull" the trigger. Any errors you make in your set up etc will show up, you're also learning to read the mirage and wind and observe influences on bullet impacts.

2) The first test is a ladder test at 600. You haven't done that yet and are 'jumping' (no pun intended) ahead to seating depth....

I'm going to stop here and suggest you read those posts and figure out a plan/system to develop at load for the 600 bench rest game. Embrace the process, take good notes....Good luck.

 

[Terry Altom]

The seating depth is probably close to perfect. Try a few more groups to make sure. That should answer question #1.
#2...try everything from 29.3 to 30.0 grains. .2 or .3 grains between loads is good.
#3...29.4 probably won't be needed. I would guess the 29.5 grain load will shoot great, you may have thrown that flyer yourself.

Try two groups of each load. Also try shooting your groups at 200 or 300 yards, if you can, it will tell you more.

Good luck.

I would like to add to get the velocity of those loads if you can. In case you need to back off the jam due to potential bullet pulling (which you can test a little by seating bullets in cases without putting powder in them and cycling them) you can see how performace is at the same velocity with less jam.

 

[pdhntr]

Jim,

Read the threads I posted! Some very accomplished competitors have shared great advice in those posts. Generally as follows:
1) If you can test at the distance you are going to compete do all of your testing at that distance!! You stated you can test at 600 so do it all at that distance. In addition, to the logical benefits of 600 in developing a load, you are "practicing" for a competition every time you "pull" the trigger. Any errors you make in your set up etc will show up, you're also learning to read the mirage and wind and observe influences on bullet impacts.

2) The first test is a ladder test at 600. You haven't done that yet and are 'jumping' (no pun intended) ahead to seating depth....

I'm going to stop here and suggest you read those posts and figure out a plan/system to develop at load for the 600 bench rest game. Embrace the process, take good notes....Good luck.

Hi Lawman,

It's not that I am not taking your advice, it's just a lot to read/study. I am working on it.

I am getting the idea that with my range, I should be testing at 600 as much as possible.

I feel I have to address seating depth right now, as I am pretty sure I won't be able to pull out a loaded round from the chamber.

Thanks.

Jim

 

[pdhntr]

I would like to add to get the velocity of those loads if you can. In case you need to back off the jam due to potential bullet pulling (which you can test a little by seating bullets in cases without putting powder in them and cycling them) you can see how performace is at the same velocity with less jam.

Thanks for the idea Terry. I can run a small test as I wanted to run a couple over the chrony to see what they were doing anyhow. Just for reference.

Thanks.

Jim

 

[500Stroker]

Everybody that replied has provided you with great food for thought.
If it were me I would load the best you have got now and then shot them at 600 yards.
If it works for you, get in the game and go have some fun. Then later on try what the guy's have suggested to refine your load. I think you have a great start - Good Luck and be safe.

 

[Shynloco]

Jim,
FTW, shoot a full 6 Benchrest Target sheet (5 rds per target) and then evaluate where you need to go, if at all. I do not believe one or two 3 shot groups are sufficient to hang your hat on.

Alex

 

[pdhntr]

Jim,
FTW, shoot a full 6 Benchrest Target sheet (5 rds per target) and then evaluate where you need to go, if at all. I do not believe one or two 3 shot groups are sufficient to hang your hat on.

Alex

OK......What is a "full 6 Benchrest Target sheet" ?

And what range am I suppose to shoot it?

I researched them on the site, but there are so many, for different ranges.

Thanks Alex.

Jim

 

[Shynloco]

Jim,
There is a standard accepted BENCHREST competition target (International Benchrest Shooters= IBS) that has 6 individual BENCHREST targets that is shot in competition. As to distance, that depends on what you are shooting yourself. I shoot 100 yards and the IBS has targets for each specific distance. You can look them up on the Internet or go to say Midway USA that has them pictured as well. My remarks were directed at the targets you pictured and that's the distance I would shoot and see how your load compared in terms of consistent groups to verify the load or to make adjustments.

Alex

P.S. I'm no good at posting pictures on this blog, but if you send me your email address, I'll email you a picture of the IBS Target I use for 100yds OR send me your mailed address and I'll send you a few.

 

[Terry Altom]

Jim,

For targets, you can also download some decent ones from this site. Take a quick look here and pay particular attention to the load development section. Something there should get you started without waiting on the mailman.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/shooting-skills/targets/


Terry

 

[pdhntr]

Thanks Alex and Terry. The targets I was looking at make more sense now.

Getting ready for the big snow. Won't be able to shoot for a few days, so will do more research. (and plow snow)

 

[Terry Altom]

Thanks Alex and Terry. The targets I was looking at make more sense now.

Getting ready for the big snow. Won't be able to shoot for a few days, so will do more research. (and plow snow)

I get a little anal about the data analytics and like to record my details and results in a spreadsheet also. Of course, if you hit a good load out of the gate as it looks like you have, you might not even bother with it. I like targets where I can record lots of stuff. Here's a partial shot of my spreadsheet. I also color code the MOA columns. Again, more than necessary, but I like it.