Re: In Over my Head

10 November 2004, 06:16

54JNoll

Re: In Over my Head

I use the quick load method outlined in the Barnes Manual except I fire more than one bullet at each charge weight when determining safe operating levels.

Pick a bullet and buy 3 or 4 powders to try.

I uniform the primer pockets, and debur the flash holes on all brass.

Then I load up a couple rounds for each 1/2 grain increase in powder charge from the min up to the max charge for each powder given and fire paying attention for pressure signs. Always work up slowly towards max charges. Stop as soon as the first signs of pressure are observed. Use the last "known" safe charge as the max for that particular combo in the chosen rifle. Load 6 rounds at each bullet-powder combo and fire for group. Then choose the most accurate of the powders and fine tune with powder charge first and then with seating depth next. Takes less than 100 rounds and only 2-3 trips to the range.

I should add I am really only looking for groups of uner 1 inch.

10 November 2004, 10:09

Dutch

Take one Shilen barrel, and call us in the morning....

What is going on out there? Now 1/2 MOA is the standard? It wasn't 15 years ago that Weatherby's 1.5" guarantee was a --BIG DEAL-- and that was three shots!

I have three guns that will average five into half moa, and they have Pac-nor, Shilen and Douglas on the barrel. And I have to work the Douglas very, very hard to get there (to it's defense, it's in a 7mag, and it does move on the bags a little

).

The best factory guns I've shot is my wife's Tikka and my kid's Sig, and they stay MOA if worked diligently..... Most days. If there's no wind. And the phase of the moon is right. If I haven't had too much coffee. FWIW, Dutch.

10 November 2004, 08:07

Atkinson

Few factory rifles will shoot 1/2 inch, few custom rifles will shoot 1/2 inch; most varmint rifles won't shoot 1/2 inch and some target bench rest rifles won't shoot 1/2 inch....

Lots of them will shoot an ocassional 1/2 inch group if you flinch one in!

The best load for a consistant 1/2 inch gun is 40 grs. of Bull Shit over any bullet..Lots of those guns around.

10 November 2004, 06:09

DesertRam

Quote:

I am trying to achieve 1/2" or less groups with factory rifles and so far, I'm having little success.

And you will probably continue this. Internet claims aside, I believe a 1/2 MOA factory rifle is a rare bird. I also believe that there are few shooters that are consistently capable of 1/2" groups. Sure, most of us manage something like that every once in a while (I've even done it), but I think very few can do it day in and day out.

I look for hunting accuracy. For small caliber rifles that I shoot little critters with, I like to see sub-MOA five shot groups if at all possible. For big game guns, I strive for 1-1.5" three shot groups. This is at 100 yards. Expecting an "average" shooter and an "average" factory rifle to do better than this is asking too much IMHO.

That's just me though, others will surely differ in opinion. I just find it hard to believe that there are as many guns/shooters that can shoot 1/2" groups at 300 yards as the 'net says

FWIW, I think you are going about your loading in the correct manner. I first choose the bullet I want based on the cartridge/rifle's intended use. Then I peruse my manuals and select the three or four powders that provide the highest velocity. If I have time, I use the "ladder" method with each powder to determine if one powder seems more consistent than the others. Then I load increasing charges of this powder (3 or 5 rounds, depending on rifle) up to max to see which charge is going to provide the best accuracy. I want the most accurate, fastest load - you balance accuracy and speed depending on your desires and uses of the rifle.

If time is limited, I just load three rounds of two or three charges with each powder and head for the range. This will typically provide an accurate enough load for hunting, and give you a good idea where to start fine-tuning when you have time to work up a more accurate load.

11 November 2004, 04:20

beemanbeme

I agree with most of what is posted here as there are several roads to Jerusalem. I would say however to pick the bullet WEIGHT you want to shoot not a particular bullet. It seems each manufacturer has their own idea as to what size and profile a bullet should be. Some seem to work better than others in YOUR rifle.
I've also found my best loads come from using a hot stove (a campfire works well also), a couple of shots of snakebite, and 42.7grs of bullshit.