Painless load development (mine)

[wind gypsy]

“Showin some potential, I’m excited to see what it does with some actual load dev”

 

[sickles107]

MRC was rebarreled with an ACE 18” Tikka T3 lite contour, in 6cm.

View attachment 784944

Either I missed something being out of cell service past few days... or you chopped an inch off something on the back of an old 3-9... OR THATS ONE OF THE NEW GOT DAM MOFO SWFA CHICKENS?!?!

 

[Formidilosus]

Either I missed something being out of cell service past few days... or you chopped an inch off something on the back of an old 3-9... OR THATS ONE OF THE NEW GOT DAM MOFO SWFA CHICKENS?!?!

It’s a 10x SWFA HD.

 

[texag10]

Either I missed something being out of cell service past few days... or you chopped an inch off something on the back of an old 3-9... OR THATS ONE OF THE NEW GOT DAM MOFO SWFA CHICKENS?!?!

He's trying to distract you from the Rhodesian camo bag....

EDIT: When you got the S2H store and click on the jellyfish back, that option appears in the color menu as the page loads, then disappears....

 

[Ragu]

Shout out to this thread and the folks who provided valuable info. With this thread's help, I took on my first reloading task. Followed the process with the equipment sourced/had. Checked off a personal goal for 2024 and hope to take an elk in 2025 with this round.

300 WSM. 63.5 gr RL16. Sub MOA @ 100 and Sub MOA @ 525(shown below). Velocity of 2993. Factory Christensen Traverse chamber.

 

[wind gypsy]

how’d it do? Did you get any improvement over last few weeks? I was looking at harrels last night after reading this again as the CM lite isn’t exactly quick…

I haven't messed with it much beyond loading 100 rds with Leverevolution which was pleasantly fast and it shot well.

Right, wrong, or indifferent - I doubt i'll mess with h4895 and larger stick powders using the thrower for a while.

 

[Mw01313]

I decided to try 2 things at once and need some input. I am going to try the 73g eldm on deer and also try developing the load with forms process. Hornady data showed 2700 fps with BLC2 at a max of 25.2 gr. I loaded a round at 24.9gr and one at 25.3 g. These were loaded to book COAL. I am shooting them from a Mossberg that uses an AR mag. This little rifle has shot pretty well in the past and is the only bolt gun i have with a fast enough twist. Shot into the dirt and saw no pressure signs. Probably should have gone up til some signs appeared, but I loaded 10 of each charge and went to the range. Lesser charge was a pretty big group. 25.3 gr was right around 1.7. Velocities were in line with book data when I figured in the difference in barrell length. My question is, should I keep working up or switch powder? BLC2 was showing as being one of the higher velocity powders in hornady data.

 

[gman82001]

If no pressure signs and it’s not a highly temp stable powder I’d try a bit higher charge it’s kinda like it may like being pushed harder if the group shrank like that

I did miss you said you were at max so proceed with caution

 

[Tell]

My load isn’t shooting any better than that, and I haven’t had any problems with animals. I’d say load up a bunch, get that thing really zeroed and start practicing the hunting rifle drill.

Its not very satisfying to have that size of group when your shooting paper with your buddies, but it is satisfying to hit steel at distance from different positions when your buddies miss with more precise combos because you’ve practiced.

 

[Mw01313]

If no pressure signs and it’s not a highly temp stable powder I’d try a bit higher charge it’s kinda like it may like being pushed harder if the group shrank like that

I did miss you said you were at max so proceed with caution

My load isn’t shooting any better than that, and I haven’t had any problems with animals. I’d say load up a bunch, get that thing really zeroed and start practicing the hunting rifle drill.

Its not very satisfying to have that size of group when your shooting paper with your buddies, but it is satisfying to hit steel at distance from different positions when your buddies miss with more precise combos because you’ve practiced.

Thanks for the replies. They made me think I don't necessarily have to do one or the other. Think I'll load a few at book max and start hunting with them and slowly work up on powder charge to see what that gets me. I'm honestly doing this to make meat hunting a bit more interesting. I was pretty much taught that match bullets on game were a taboo. I want to see the results for myself. Also wanted to try a load dev. technique that may be better than the old school way I have always done it.

 

[The Guide]

I am shooting them from a Mossberg that uses an AR mag. This little rifle has shot pretty well in the past and is the only bolt gun i have with a fast enough twist.

Sounds like you are shooting a Mossberg Patriot Patrol. Those only come in a 9 twist which isn't optimal for 70+ grain bullets. I'd suggest trying the 69 grain TMK with that barrel. Usually in stock and better suited for a 9 twist barrel.

Jay

 

[Mw01313]

It's a MVP LC. It's chambered in 5.56 and has a 1/7 twist. Should be able to spin them.

Sounds like you are shooting a Mossberg Patriot Patrol. Those only come in a 9 twist which isn't optimal for 70+ grain bullets. I'd suggest trying the 69 grain TMK with that barrel. Usually in stock and better suited for a 9 twist barrel.

Jay

 

[The Guide]

It's a MVP LC. It's chambered in 5.56 and has a 1/7 twist. Should be able to spin them.

You should be good to go. My experience with Mossberg rifles wasn't the best as far as accuracy. Solid 1.5 MOA rifles but never any better even with hand loads. I gifted both of those 243's to a rancher friend for truck/tractor guns. Perfect place for them as most shots taken by him are sub 200 yards.

Jay

 

[Mw01313]

You should be good to go. My experience with Mossberg rifles wasn't the best as far as accuracy. Solid 1.5 MOA rifles but never any better even with hand loads. I gifted both of those 243's to a rancher friend for truck/tractor guns. Perfect place for them as most shots taken by him are sub 200 yards.

Jay

This one has surprised me. It technically belongs to my brother. I turned my nose up at it when he traded for it. Mossberg in my opinion doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, but the little thing seems to shoot whatever we put in it. Everything except the ELDMs have been factory or bulk loaded stuff. 55g FMJ, 55g SP, 62g greentips, and 55gr tsx have all been MOA or better through it. Of course my brother has a horseshoe up his ass with stuff like that. If I'd bought it every group would look like a buckshot pattern.

 

[Luked]

Have my first rifle I am going to give the @Formidilosus method a try.
My 243 With H4831sc and 100gr Hornady Interloc.
Loaded 3 rounds at Max45.5-46.0-46.5.
Slight swipe on the 45.5. Going to drop .5 and load 10 and shoot and see what I get.
View attachment 754635

I just finally got to get back out to the range to do some more shooting.
Here was the group my 243 shot using the @Formidilosus method
This is a 100 gr Hornaday BTSP Interlock that I have a ton of.
Don't have the exact recipe I used off the top of my head. Ill have to get it when I get home.
Group was just under 1" at 100 yards

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

I just finally got to get back out to the range to do some more shooting.
Here was the group my 243 shot using the @Formidilosus method
This is a 100 gr Hornaday BTSP Interlock that I have a ton of.
Don't have the exact recipe I used off the top of my head. Ill have to get it when I get home.
Group was just under 1" at 100 yards


View attachment 804804

Another satisfied customer. J/K, this method just works and removes lots of voodoo and lore.

 

[Luked]

Another satisfied customer. J/K, this method just works and removes lots of voodoo and lore.

It worked. Will say I would like to see it a bit better.
Ill give a few more things an experiment and see if I can improve it.
Wouldnt say its the best bullet in the world. But It would still cause stuff to be Un-Alive

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

It worked. Will say I would like to see it a bit better.
Ill give a few more things an experiment and see if I can improve it.
Wouldnt say its the best bullet in the world. But It would still cause stuff to be Un-Alive

Contrary to some popular beliefs, 1" ten shot groups are more than adequate in most hunting situations at most common hunting ranges (sub-500). So if you like that bullet take it out and kill $hit.

I've been using this method for a couple years now, and I haven't found a bullet/powder combination that has shot worse than 1.75 MOA. That's across 3 or 4 different rifles. If you don't like the characteristics of this bullet, the process consistency with this method is reliable and repeatable for the next one. Just adjust your POI if necessary and go hunt!

 

[Luked]

Im going to do some more experimenting and see what I can do.
I have a few other 6mm bullets at the house I want to try.
Not saying the BTSP is bad. But I know there are better out there.

 

[Mw01313]

Wish I'd found this method earlier. Burned up a lot of components adjusting charges by .1s of a grain and incremental seating depth changes. On my 2nd rifle now. Much easier.