Hi all,

Went to the range today with my first reloads. Some of the groups were very tight! Check this out:

http://www.geocities.com/cav_scout_mr2/load_data_21Feb.html

There are links to each target as well as an Excel Spreadsheet containing load data and specifics. I love it! I had two groups that had the holes connected! Oh, this is awesome. And we're just getting started!!
:D


Thanks for the input and I'm sure I'll have more questions. Like, what do I do now?

Hi all,

Went to the range today with my first reloads. Some of the groups were very tight! Check this out:

http://www.geocities.com/cav_scout_mr2/load_data_21Feb.html

There are links to each target as well as an Excel Spreadsheet containing load data and specifics. I love it! I had two groups that had the holes connected! Oh, this is awesome. And we're just getting started!!
:D


Thanks for the input and I'm sure I'll have more questions. Like, what do I do now?
What cal. do you load for?

Right now, I'm loading for my .308. I suppose that's all I'll load for until I end up with a different rifle. :)

I have come to realize that Geocities limits the number of times a free account's pages can be accessed. If anyone happens to get a message (temporarily unavailable or such), and you still want to check it out, try back in about an hour. That should do it.

Thanks,
Kevin

By your powder charges, you can tell that you are just getting started. Some of them are even below my Lyman manual's starting loads. It looks like you've got a good shooter with light loads.

What do you do now? That depends on what you are using your rifle for. My load development was based on getting excellent accuracy (#1 priority) at velocity at least comparable to factory loads for hunting purposes. I didn't like the starting loads that hit 6+ inches low at 100 yards. I also wanted a load I could depend on whether it was 0 degrees on opening morning in Michigan or 70 degrees in Western Kansas. So far, I've settled on a near max charge of Hodgdon Varget and Combined Technology 168 gr Ballistic Silvertips seated at .020" off the lands. This load has yet to produce a group larger than 3/4" for 3 shots at 100 yards. The other benefit is that it prints dead center and 1/2" high of factory Remington 150 grain Core-Lokt loads, so in a pinch, I can switch without worrying about my POI changing too much, at least within 100 yards.

More than likely, your testing has only just begun, but it looks like your results are promising so far.

amndouglas

amndouglas,

Yep, I just started reloading. I was actually kinda scared when I first read the manual (all kinds of talk about pressures too high and implied trips to the hospital). This was such a confidence booster. I am going to work up the loads slowly and see if there are any accuracy changes. BTW, consistant accuracy is my only priority, right now. My goal is to get into long range shooting, starting with 600y competitions. That's one reason so many of the targets indicate off-center groups. I wasn't looking to hit the bull's eye, but for a tight, consistant grouping. I'll dial in the scope more precisely when I get the charges up a bit. I think that, if I adjust it for every group, I'll be adjusting it all day, and that is just not that important to me, right now. I hope that makes sense.

Thanks for the input and encouragement!

amndouglas,

Yep, I just started reloading. I was actually kinda scared when I first read the manual (all kinds of talk about pressures too high and implied trips to the hospital). This was such a confidence booster. I am going to work up the loads slowly and see if there are any accuracy changes. BTW, consistant accuracy is my only priority, right now. My goal is to get into long range shooting, starting with 600y competitions. That's one reason so many of the targets indicate off-center groups. I wasn't looking to hit the bull's eye, but for a tight, consistant grouping. I'll dial in the scope more precisely when I get the charges up a bit. I think that, if I adjust it for every group, I'll be adjusting it all day, and that is just not that important to me, right now. I hope that makes sense.

Thanks for the input and encouragement!

If I read your data correctly, you originally sighted in using a light load. As you work your way up, you will probably have to readjust your zero just to keep your groups on the paper. I went about it the opposite way. I sighted in using factory ammunition, so my first handloads with starting charges weren't even on the paper. Your way is probably better than mine. Also, it's a good idea not to have your scope set dead on the target when testing your reloads because the last thing you want to be doing is erasing your target with bullet holes. It makes it kind of hard to keep your point of aim consistent.

Anyway, welcome to your newfound addiction.

amndouglas

Good job Kevin,

I still remember the first time I went to the range and got good results, it's a great feeling. The more you do and learn the better it gets.

Awesome info Kevin. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! I went back to the range today. I haven't posted all the targets (and probably won't), but here's a nice one: 168gr Sierra Match King seated .030 off the lands with 41.4 grains of Varget powder (Lapua case trimmed to 2.005 with a CCI primer).

http://www.geocities.com/Cav_Scout_MR2/Mar5_Target09

That's five rounds in there. I really love this hobby!

Cav,

I would say the varget is doing it for ya in that .308. Good shooting!

That's my .308 powder too.

Thanks Chief,

I have my next loads written down. I'm going to do two 5-shot groups with the same loads to check consistancy. The only difference will be a small increase in powder. I'll be about a grain off the max in the book at that point. If it stays that tight, I think I found my competition load for March 25th in Waco (600 yard). I would like to use a chrono before then to see what kinds of MV I'm getting, but that's not in the budget. :)

Another to try is IMR 4064.

I load 4064 at 42.5gr under a Nosler 168 Match bullet. Stellar results, and the same load works with Sierra GK's and Hornaday SP.

I've found this load to be very accurate in;

a 308 garand
the m1a
a 700 BDL in 308
a savage 99 in 308
and finally a VLS in 308,

just as you are shooting. It seems to be a good all around load. You'll do as well with varget, but I had no luck with W748.

whether IMR or Hodgdon 4895, you'll get good results there too.

Hodgdon's Blc-2 works well and was designed for the 308.

good luck to you!

I have not tried the Matchkings, since my rifle is more for hunting than target shooting. Anyway, with the 168gr Ballistic Silvertips, the best accuracy in my rifle came around 44 grains of Varget, and then again right around the published max with the bullets at .020" off the lands. I will be playing a bit with seating depth to tweak it, but I am pretty much set on staying with Varget. Hopefully, my 223 will like it (when I finally decide on which one to get), and then I'll just start buying kegs of the stuff. My 270 Win also likes it for 110 gr VMAX loads.

Cavscout:

You may want to continue in small increments to fine-tune your load. I normally go in .2 or .3 grain increments (for example 44.0, 44.2, 44.5, 44.7, 45.0, etc). Then, when I hit one that looks good, I load up a few more with that powder charge, as well as a few .1 gr above and below it. You'd be surprised how much difference a tenth of a grain can make, so by just skipping to 1 grain under max, you are kind of shooting in the dark. It might shoot well, and it might not.

amndouglas