should i be dissapointed? range results.

31 August 2008, 13:15

Paul from nz

hadnt done much load development with my 280ackley. had only shot 162gr A-maxs and decided id try some 168gr Matchkings to see if i could get anymore accuracy out of it.

did load up a few rounds.

VV-N560 loaded 55-58grs, nosler 280AI brass, CCI br primers with the 168gr SMKs. both 55 and 56gr did around 3/4", 57 did .475" and 58 did 1.2"
5 shot groups at 100yards off sandbags.

didnt chrony the first 2 loads

was happy enough with the half inch group but wasnt really satisfied with the 2735FPS +-3FPS from 57grains, fantastic velocity consistancy however! but dissapointing velocity.

58grains of powder yielded 2830FPS with a similar variation in velocity. better velocity but poor accuracy, didnt go any higher as i thought the accuracy would get worse.

my 162gr A-max load is 59gr N560, nosler brass, fed 210 GMM. they cruise at 2900FPS with a larger S.D and they shoot around 3/4MOA to 600yards.

where to next for my SMK load?

31 August 2008, 16:39

SteveM70

Paul, if long range accuracy is what you are wanting I think it would be worth it to try the 58 grain load at longer ranges. As I'm sure you may know, groups could actualy tighten up.

31 August 2008, 17:50

swampshooter

paul, just because groups of 58 grs. were larger doesn't mean that they won't tighten back up if you go higher, pressures permitting. i would try 58.5&59grs. and see what happens.

01 September 2008, 11:28

Paul from nz

quote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
It could be differences in twist/stabilization. Not all 1 in 9" barrels stabilize all 168 grain bullets the same. I suggest you try the 150gr SMK. You might be surprised.

i was going to give the 150s a try but for some reason i decided id try the 168gr

assuming it was a stabilisation problem, wouldnt the groups get better as it went faster?

right, ill put in more powder!

01 September 2008, 12:13

ireload2

quote:
Originally posted by Paul from nz:
hadnt done much load development with my 280ackley. had only shot 162gr A-maxs and decided id try some 168gr Matchkings to see if i could get anymore accuracy out of it.

did load up a few rounds.

VV-N560 loaded 55-58grs, nosler 280AI brass, CCI br primers with the 168gr SMKs. both 55 and 56gr did around 3/4", 57 did .475" and 58 did 1.2"
5 shot groups at 100yards off sandbags.

didnt chrony the first 2 loads

was happy enough with the half inch group but wasnt really satisfied with the 2735FPS +-3FPS from 57grains, fantastic velocity consistancy however! but dissapointing velocity.

58grains of powder yielded 2830FPS with a similar variation in velocity. better velocity but poor accuracy, didnt go any higher as i thought the accuracy would get worse.

my 162gr A-max load is 59gr N560, nosler brass, fed 210 GMM. they cruise at 2900FPS with a larger S.D and they shoot around 3/4MOA to 600yards.

where to next for my SMK load?

All is not lost. You learned a little about your rifle. All premium components does not guarantee one hole groups.
You, your scope and your barrel may be contributing to you disappointment.

I have had ordinary Federal round nose factory loads out shoot carefully assembled hand loads due to bullet and throat incompatibility in a 7X57.
I have also shot 7MM match bullets in a 7mm Rem Mag that performed no better than ordinary 140 grain soft points.

01 September 2008, 23:13

fredj338

The A-max is one of the longest bullets out there, if your rifle stabelizes them, it should handle the SMK. I would try 1/2gr increases & see if it tightens up, maybe very OAL. You & the rifle are obviously capable. It could also be the rifle doesn't like SMK above a certain vel. happens. My 338-06 will not shoot any 225gr bullet well much over 2550fps, yet handles 200/210gr & 250gr w/ exc. accuracy.

04 September 2008, 10:27

Paul from nz

the rifle is a rem700 action that has been trued, with a 26" 1-9 lilja, its only a #5 contour. nightforce 5.5-22X50. mounted in nightforce rings where the bases and rings are all one piece. probably stiffins the action a little too.

04 September 2008, 15:52

eddieharren

When working up loads, in my 6PPC BR rifle, I often encounter small groups at lower velocities. While these loads may shoot well, on a calm day, they often fail to "buck" the conditions when they arise. As I increase the powder charge, in small increments, the groups normally open up, only to close back up as I approach maximum. This method is loosely related to the often discussed "Ladder Test".