When shooting groups for load testing, I have been waiting 5 minutes between shots. I read about the method last week where you shoot a few different targets once each in succession with the loads you've developed. I have been doing that for some time, but I beleive many of you said you wait only 2 minutes between shots???

How long should I wait?

My rifles are: Ruger M77 Stainless 7mm Rem Mag (light 24" barrel)

Remington Model 7 300 SAUM 20" barrel

Remington Model 700VLS in .243 Win with heavy barrel

For me it depends on the air temp. & bbl. weight. On hot days, 5 min. is about right on cold days 1 min. between shots isn't a problem w/ heavy bbls. The lt.wts. require longer times. Basically, if the bbl. is too hot to touch, then it's too hot to shoot.

I will not claim what I do is right....it's just what I do....right or wrong

I take two shots and look thru the spotting scope. If they're close together I shoot the third one. total elapsed time for all three shots is often under two minutes.

I remove the bolt from the rifle and walk to the target and look at it and measure if needed.

Usually by the time I get back the barrel has cooled but if not I shoot a different rifle.

I don't take another three shot group until the barrel is cool (by touch) similar to when I got to the range.

Thanks for the responses guys. I have this dilemma with my light barrel Ruger M77 in 7mm Rem Mag.

I have fired several 5 shot groups waiting 5 minutes between shots. I will get two holes say slightly left of center that often touch. Then I often get two holes dang near touching slightly right of center and usually one in between making the total group from .75" tp 1.5".

I guess a lot of it is the loose screw behind the trigger...just seems odd to me that it puts them close together in a different spot!

quote:

Originally posted by Born to Hunt:
Thanks for the responses guys. I have this dilemma with my light barrel Ruger M77 in 7mm Rem Mag. !

My guess would be that the 7 mag. is a hunting rifle. Might I suggest that the next time after you thoroughly clean it shoot a couple rounds through it. Forget where they hit. Some days later take it to the range and fire two more shots within 10 seconds of each other with the loads you'd use for hunting. If they both land within 1" of point of aim you got yourself a hunting rifle.Notice it was point of aim; meaning they could be 2 in. from each other. The first one is the one that counts and if you know where that will hit***** you got it wired. JMHO roger

B t H

I take 3 to 4 guns to the range when I go. I will shoot 2 deliberate shots through the same gun, put it in the rack and shoot the next gun. By the time I return to the 1st gun it is reasonably cool and ready to shoot again. The reason I do this is that I want to look for changes in point of impact on the 2nd shot (in case it is needed in the field).

I also load and shoot 4 shot groups since it is easier when shooting 2 at a time.

There was only one gun that put the 1st and 3rd shot in the roughly the same place and the 2nd and 4th in roughly the same but different place. That gun was a friend's R---r in 300 win mag. The 2 groups were about an 1 1/2" apart.

The other 16 guns I have loaded for did not change POI, either because they did not heat up enough or did not have any other problem.

You are exactly right! It is a hunting rifle. I do enjoy reloading and shooting perhaps even more than hunting (did I just say that in public?)! So, I want all of my rifles to be as accurate as they can be. I enjoy trying to find that magic load that shoots best in each of my rifles...guess I'm expecting to much from a factory sporter...it definitely needs a trigger job.

Which brings me to another question. How hard would it be to install a Timney or Jewell trigger on this rifle? Job for a gunsmith or can I do it? I have adjusted the triggers on all my Rem Model 700's but too afraid to tinker with a Ruger trigger.

the ruger trigger is quite easy to fix up. The thing works on 1 spring. Pull the metal out of the stock - there is 1 pin holding the trigger mechanism in place. Push out the pin and replace the spring with a much lighter one. I've been able to reduce to 2# safely just by doing this. While you're at it however it does help to polish the surfaces abit

quote:

For me it depends on the air temp. & bbl. weight. On hot days, 5 min. is about right on cold days 1 min. between shots isn't a problem w/ heavy bbls. The lt.wts. require longer times. Basically, if the bbl. is too hot to touch, then it's too hot to shoot.

ditto

5 shots and check the targets,..then switch to another rifle, and repeat. I

Hey guys just be glad you can get a rifle to shoot even close to a group. I have waited 3, 5 10, 15 and 30 minutes with the same results scatter, scatter, scattter!

quote:

Originally posted by Blob1:
Hey guys just be glad you can get a rifle to shoot even close to a group. I have waited 3, 5 10, 15 and 30 minutes with the same results scatter, scatter, scattter!

Hey Blob1

I'm sensing a lot of frustration there.

You still trying to get that Ruger to shoot?

quote:

Originally posted by Born to Hunt:
When shooting groups for load testing, I have been waiting 5 minutes between shots. I read about the method last week where you shoot a few different targets once each in succession with the loads you've developed. I have been doing that for some time, but I beleive many of you said you wait only 2 minutes between shots???

How long should I wait?

My rifles are: Ruger M77 Stainless 7mm Rem Mag (light 24" barrel)

Remington Model 7 300 SAUM 20" barrel

Remington Model 700VLS in .243 Win with heavy barrel

You can probably find the answer best by experimenting some. Try not waiting and see if any of your rifle show a real pattern of walking in any direction or a significant increase in group size. If not your wasting your time - If so the look of the group may lead you to a problem with the rifle that could be improved or fixed!?

I've finally noticed while developing a load for my 204 Ruger,that my three shot group has to be a two shot group.If I do not give it time in between the 2nd and third shot I get a definate gap.The first two shots will be touching and the third shot will be 1/2 inch off, always.I turned to two shots as I don't have as much patience as I do ammo.