Painless load development (mine)

[willfrye027]

Curious if anyone has some input on my progress using this process. I am looking for something close to 1 MOA @ 100 yards.

Tikka Action, Proof Research pre-fit 26" 1:8, 7mm PRC approx 100 rounds down the tube so far.

I loaded up retumbo 3 charges to check pressure. Then loaded 10 @ .5 grains below the first sign of pressure.

I wasn't able to measure group at the range I was shooting at but the group was not good. probably something like 2".

Did the same process for H1000 and ended up with 2-3/8" group at 100. (175eld-x)

I tested MAG PRO for pressure and then loaded up 10 more, will shoot those tomorrow. (175eld-x)

Would you switch to another powder or ditch the 175's and try some 162 eld-x I have? I have LRT powder, RL 26 and a little Magnum powder I could try. Was really hoping h1000 or retumbo would work.

Personally I would try a different bullet. I feel like bullets make more difference than powder but that is purely anecdotal. How much does your setup weight? Lightweight magnums are tough to shoot, I know I can’t shoot them very well.

 

[DakotaBPNW]

Curious if anyone has some input on my progress using this process. I am looking for something close to 1 MOA @ 100 yards.

Tikka Action, Proof Research pre-fit 26" 1:8, 7mm PRC approx 100 rounds down the tube so far.

I loaded up retumbo 3 charges to check pressure. Then loaded 10 @ .5 grains below the first sign of pressure.

I wasn't able to measure group at the range I was shooting at but the group was not good. probably something like 2".

Did the same process for H1000 and ended up with 2-3/8" group at 100. (175eld-x)

I tested MAG PRO for pressure and then loaded up 10 more, will shoot those tomorrow. (175eld-x)

Would you switch to another powder or ditch the 175's and try some 162 eld-x I have? I have LRT powder, RL 26 and a little Magnum powder I could try. Was really hoping h1000 or retumbo would work.

What bullet are you hoping to shoot? No point in dancing around working up a load on a bullet that isn’t going to perform for your intended ranges and use

 

[PineBrook413]

Personally I would try a different bullet. I feel like bullets make more difference than powder but that is purely anecdotal. How much does your setup weight? Lightweight magnums are tough to shoot, I know I can’t shoot them very well.

Gun weight is a little under 9lbs. While magnums are for sure harder to shoot I don't have any issue shooting sub moa groups with similar other rifles in my safe. I regularly shoot out to 1000 yards.... by no means a competitive shooter but I am proficient.

 

[PineBrook413]

What bullet are you hoping to shoot? No point in dancing around working up a load on a bullet that isn’t going to perform for your intended ranges and use

Was hoping to use the 175 eld-x but would be ok with 162 eldx or 160cx, accu bonds etc

Goal here is elk gun that has enough gitty up for 600+ yard elk.

 

[amassi]

Was hoping to use the 175 eld-x but would be ok with 162 eldx or 160cx, accu bonds etc

Goal here is elk gun that has enough gitty up for 600+ yard elk.

Sounds like 180 eld-m should be on your short list


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[PineBrook413]

Sounds like 180 eld-m should be on your short list


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I'm a bit nervous about using a match bullet on large game, although I have seen the extensive evidence on here that they are very effective.

 

[amassi]

I'm a bit nervous about using a match bullet on large game, although I have seen the extensive evidence on here that they are very effective.

There isn’t an animal alive that’s going to survive that 180 eld-m. It’s overkill on elk out of a 7 saum and you’ve got more velocity. It will make very very dead elk.


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[PineBrook413]

There isn’t an animal alive that’s going to survive that 180 eld-m. It’s overkill on elk out of a 7 saum and you’ve got more velocity. It will make very very dead elk.


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Yeah I guess I need to get beyond the metal block of using a match bullet haha.

I'll order some up. The gun did shoot the factory 180 eldm much better than the factory 175 eld-x.

 

[DakotaBPNW]

Was hoping to use the 175 eld-x but would be ok with 162 eldx or 160cx, accu bonds etc

Goal here is elk gun that has enough gitty up for 600+ yard elk.

I wouldn’t quit on the 175’s if that’s what you’re after. H1000 seemed promising if those are your initial groups. A little seating depth change can go a long way.

 

[PineBrook413]

I wouldn’t quit on the 175’s if that’s what you’re after. H1000 seemed promising if those are your initial groups. A little seating depth change can go a long way.

I considered it, but from my experience seating depth has not taken something like a 2" group and cut it in half. Not saying it couldn't happen I just haven't seen in my limited experience.

 

[amassi]

I considered it, but from my experience seating depth has not taken something like a 2" group and cut it in half. Not saying it couldn't happen I just haven't seen in my limited experience.

Especially not with the eld-x which is about as insensitive to seating depth as they come


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[HighUintas]

Is that with a standard saami 7prc chamber and throat?

I can't see how a Hornady-designed cartridge is going to shoot that poorly with a bullet they make that is likely really popular and likely one of the main bullets intended to be used.

 

[PineBrook413]

Yes standard 7prc chamber.

I’m sure there is a powder that will work for the 175eldx. Question is, is it one of the 5 or so powders I have and how long to find it


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[BjornF16]

Yes standard 7prc chamber.

I’m sure there is a powder that will work for the 175eldx. Question is, is it one of the 5 or so powders I have and how long to find it


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Try a different primer

 

[HighUintas]

Yes standard 7prc chamber.

I’m sure there is a powder that will work for the 175eldx. Question is, is it one of the 5 or so powders I have and how long to find it


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I don't know if it would be fruitful, but if you are set on trying to get the 175 to shoot, you could email them and ask which powders seemed to give the best results with that bullet . I'd think they would answer that unless they've only done mostly factory load testing so far and they're using a "proprietary" powder

 

[dreamingWest]

I found a good enough load for my Tikka 223 with 77 TMK this morning. Of course there is so much data on this forum with these components I figured it would be easy.

For pressure check I loaded 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5 of TAC using 2.26 oal. It's about 85 F today. No real problems, 24.5 was slightly compressed.

Loaded 10 at 24.3 and shot a group as good as my preferred Black Hills 5.56 load.

Question: Do you guys deal with crimped primer pockets or just move on to other brass? I've got a little Lyman hand tool that works but it's still annoying.

 

[TX_Diver]

I found a good enough load for my Tikka 223 with 77 TMK this morning. Of course there is so much data on this forum with these components I figured it would be easy.

For pressure check I loaded 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5 of TAC using 2.26 oal. It's about 85 F today. No real problems, 24.5 was slightly compressed.

Loaded 10 at 24.3 and shot a group as good as my preferred Black Hills 5.56 load.

Question: Do you guys deal with crimped primer pockets or just move on to other brass? I've got a little Lyman hand tool that works but it's still annoying.

Dillon Super Swage is the way to go (in my opinion) if you have a large amount of brass.

 

[wind gypsy]

Question: Do you guys deal with crimped primer pockets or just move on to other brass? I've got a little Lyman hand tool that works but it's still annoying.

I move on to other brass but I have a shitload of other 556/223 brass.

 

[Axlrod]

Years ago I processed a 5 gallon bucket of once fired Lake City. It is very good brass, but you can buy 1000 processed on G.B. for $150 or so.

 

[ToolMann]

10 shots. Tikka SL 6.5 Creedmoor. 42 grains IMR 4350, 143 ELDX. Had the same result with 140 NBTs. The process just keeps working. Good enough for me.