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View Full Version : Comments Please - 45-70 using Win 748


flashhole
08-06-2004, 04:25 PM
This is with my Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70. Target distance is 100 yards.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/GuideGun/1ClickR.jpg

This first picture shows the holes made by my standard load of 58.0 Grains Hodgdon Varget under a Hornady 350 grain RN bullet. I have switched from WLRM primers to CCI 200 primers. The groups are a little better with the non magnum primer.

The line reading 1 Click R shows the difference before and after a minor scope adjustment. 1 click on my Burris Posi Lock scope is not exactly a minor effort but I have been consistently left of center for the past several weeks so I made the adjustment. The vertical stringing is more me than the gun.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/GuideGun/Win748String.jpg

This second photo is what I would like comment on. The load was Winchester 748 powder in the amounts shown on the backer, same 350 grain bullet with a magnum primer. I didn't find any load data for 748 and a bullet lighter than 405 grains and what I found indicated a need for a magnum primer.

The shot to the left of the black spot was pre scope adjustment. The shot just below the orange spot was post scope adjustment (like in the photo above). Both of these were using the Varget load above.

The 748 loads were shot prior to the scope adjustment. The point of aim for all 748 shots was the center of the orange spot. I don't own a chrony so I can't make any comments about velocity as compared to the Varget loads.

What should I interpret from the hole pattern in the target? 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62 are the grains of powder for the different loads. I held pretty good on all shots so I think the pattern is meaningful. There was no sign of high pressure and I would consider the 60 grain load a full case using the 350 grain bullet with 61 and 62 grains being slightly compressed. I intend to duplicate the test next time out to see if the results repeat themselves. Are there any comments that can be made comparing the Varget loads to the 748 loads?

Any comments are appreciated,

kdub
08-06-2004, 08:14 PM
Im not much of one to use ball powders - a little hard to ignite as compared to extruded and doesn't like to be compressed.

The Varget is a good choice for the 45-70 (IMHO), but not as good as VithaVuori N133 or AA2015BR in the tests I've conducted with a host of powders.

Also use the Hornady 350 RN and FN exclusively in the LTD1 - don't shoot the rifle enough to worry about wearing out the Ballard rifling within my lifetime. Someone else can worry about it after I'm finished with it! :p

TedH
08-08-2004, 08:53 AM
"What should I interpret from the hole pattern in the target? 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62 are the grains of powder for the different loads. I held pretty good on all shots so I think the pattern is meaningful."

I would not interpret your hole pattern to mean much at all. To get a true indication of a certain load's capabilities you should shoot at least two 5 shot groups of each load. With some rifles {belted magnums} I shoot three 3 shot groups and average the results. If you can spare a hundred bucks sometime, go ahead and get yourself a chrono. It can be a very valuable tool for the reloader. I have saved lots of bullets from going downrange upon finding out a certain powder is lacking the velocity to merit further load development.