quote:

Originally posted by captdavid:
I'm not really a tweaker when it comes to reloading. I have two FN Mausers. I loaded for them using BTs and PTs. My 7x57 didn't shoot 140s well, but a friend had some 150PTs and worked up 1/2 grain increments to 2700fps using h4350. It shoots 1.25" groups. I stopped there. My 30-06 very similar work-up results 1.25" @ 2850 with 165PTs with h4350. Both rifles have shot several groups under one inch. I had ordered some 150BTs for the 7x57 they shot lousy. I then built my 280. It's a new Zastava double-set-triggers, Shaw 26" heavy sporter barrel. It's my longer range rifle, mainly because it's weight makes it easier to hold on. I had the 150BTs so I started with them using some borrowed Imr4831. I shot 6 groups using 150BTs working up to 2900fps, nothing better than 1.25, but most 1.5 or over. I thought, maybe it was the BTs as they were blems. I tried 150PTs, 6 groups, same results. Next I tried the H4350. Amazing! 6 groups each BTs and PTs, all under one inch!!! Average group .80" I stopped there. If I really got 'anal-retentive' I might get close to one inch, I'm not.

I copied this from another post about accuracy.
To me sub MOA accuracy is a mine is bigger than yours bragging right. Please I'm not trying to start anything. It's fine if that's what gives you confidence in your rifle. Honestly though, how many people can shoot much better than 2" groups from hunting conditions. That is unless your hunting conditions include sandbags. My buddies and I all have rifles that will shoot around one inch groups. That's a 3" group at 300yds. Mine run around 4' or so. We have a game. We try to replicate 'hunting' conditions. We have a horizontal 2x4 in front of a chair, representing shooting from a blind. We also have a vertical 4x4, our tree, a fence post and a pickup. A small back pack or a jacket can be used with the p-u. These are about as close to " hunting conditions' as we can replicate. The object is, using those 'props,' how good can you shoot? Under these conditions , a sub MOA rifle performs no better than an inch and a half one.
A 1/2 MOA rifle should shoot a 1 and 1/2" group at 300yds. That's around the size the bottom of a beer can. A 1 and 1/2 MOA rifle should shoot a 4 and 1/2' group at 300yds. That's about the size of a saucer. Given that the kill zone of most big game animals is about the size of a dinner plate any rifle that shoots 1.5 MOA is more than enough.
Back to the game: we shoot at, and hit consistently, a 4' gong at 200yds an 8' one at 300yds

I have a BRNO .22 sporter. It is very similar, weight and shape to my FNs it shoots 1" groups at 50yds. I have a heavy barreled BRNO .22. It's somewhat similar to my Zastava and shoots a little better. This is with mini-mags, not match. I use the same 'hunting condition' set up. The only difference is a 1' gong at 50yds and a 2" at 75. It's cheaper and easier, which leads to more practice.
I just thought I'd share. Captdavid