I was recently doing load development at 100 yds with a .308 and noticed a group where the bullet holes were smaller than other groups. The group was small but not tiny and was perfectly symmetrical. Is this a load I should try to tune into something smaller or just treat it like any other group? The group on the left vs group on the right same bullets.
What do small bullet holes mean?
- Thread starter Fairchaser
- Start date
Normally when you see the more perfectly round hole it's a good indication that load is very good and the bullet is more stable.
Straightshooter1
Gold $$ Contributor
Often such differences can just be the difference in how the target lays on the backing of a paper target. . . .and even what kind of backing is being used.
Yes, I would definitely try that load again for duplication.
Targets sitting tightly on Corflute give nice tight holes. If you use a floppy soft cardboard as backing or fix targets over layers of old targets, you'll get less distinct holes.
Corflute is a great backing material as it's somewhat self-healing. Lasts for ages. Go see a sign writer for offcuts or old signs.
Corflute is a great backing material as it's somewhat self-healing. Lasts for ages. Go see a sign writer for offcuts or old signs.
243Lapua
Silver $$ Contributor
Your backer and your target paper don't have a gap on the left picture. Your right picture target has a gap. When I shoot my 6 PPC I like for my targets to be really close to the cardboard or backer to where there is no gap, it produces a very sharp cut on the target paper, clean cut.
Old political signs make great target backers.
Yep those little donkeys on them make great sighters.
Relators put all kinds of portable target frames on weekends.
Same bullet?
Same bullet for both 200.20x Berger. The target paper was stapled perfectly flat against the target board which was cardboard. The picture was taken after the target was removed. These are the only small bullet holes for any of the groups that day and stuck out as such. I was doing a seating depth test and that group was the longest jump at .036. I would have to tune further with a barrel tuner to tighten it up further.
When your rifle starts making nice clean small round holes it’s telling you that’s what it likes.
Top short range guys spend a lot of time looking at targets to see how well the bullets cut the paper.
Bart
Comparing two three-shot groups, statistically there is no significant difference in the two groups. Shoot more groups (or shoot more shots per group) and you will see if they are in the same population or not. If you have a friend that is fluent in statistics he can give you guidance that is meaningful.
In competition we do it all the time. Bullet holes getting ragged is a precursor to the rifle going out of tune. No time for statistical analysis durning a match.
Bart
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Look for the perfect hole to see the tune. A good tune will hold a bullet in the target instead of letting it fall thru
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
At long range we see very often some tunes cut the wind better than others. My thought on why is those bullets are just more stable. So naturally they will cut a smaller hole.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.