Search results

Conditions that can cause backed out primers: Excessive headspace. High pressure loads. Low pressure loads. What's going on here? Let's take a look at the firing sequence: Firing pin strikes primer, and drives the case forward. Forward motion continues until something stops the case - these...

I'm not sure if there's an accuracy benefit by going to an improved version, though the 100+meter/second increase by the AI helps reduce wind drift and elevation compensation when using identical projectiles. As mentioned previously, this often comes at the cost of shorter barrel life. There...

Paul, There is nothing wrong with using the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. As a hunting round, it is quite capable. As a target round, it is also quite good. A wide variety of quality factory ammunition is available, as are a wide selection of good powders and bullets. Don't let the "anemic"...

Actually, US M80 ball ammo originally used IMR 4475 powder. This is a non-cannister grade powder, i.e., not commercially available. Its burn rate is faster than IMR 4895. Current ammo uses WC 846 powder. This is a ball type propellant, similar to BLC-2. The only US 7.62 NATO loads with...

If it's simply the smallest posssible group that you're looking for, keep this in mind: Benchrest competitors have spent 50 years trying to shoot a perfect group (all 5 shots going through a single hole that measures exactly the diameter of one bullet). Even when using custom bullets in near...

Not likely. Years ago, I shot Berger 175s over a chronograph with muzzle and target screens (1000 yard range). The G1 BC (only good for calculating time of flight) was .479. And the Berger is a true VLD design. The Sierra 175's G1 BC (shot the same day, under identical conditions) was .457...

KJD, Note that I mentioned that fact in the header of my first post. And there is good reason for making this discussion lean towards the .223. Worldwide, the overwhelming majority of heavy .224 caliber projectiles are fired from rifles chambered in .223 Remington/5.56 NATO. I've met people...

For 300-600 yards, 77 grain HPBTs work fine for magazine length projectiles. For 300 to 900 yards, 80 grain HPBTs work. Even at 1000, it is possible to get accuracy, despite the projectiles being subsonic. The 90s from JLK and Sierra need special twists (7 for the Sierra - not so bad...

For NRA Highpower and Long Range shooting, quality in volume is important. Why? Because you're shooting thousands of rounds per year, and you can't load when on the firing line. In no order: Winchester - decent quality (uniformity is reasonable), less expensive, more case capacity. Lapua -...

The M-Die is designed to flare the neck of the case so you don't shave material off cast lead bullets. About the only use for M-dies with jacketed bullets is if you don't want to chamfer cases after trimming. Using one in a progressive press during a seperate case prep sequence allows one to...

Per NRA rules, the following limitations apply to F-Class rifles: Foreend no wider than 3"; Total weight not to exceed 18 lbs without bipod, or 22 lbs with bipod; NO MUZZLE BRAKES. You are 7 feet from your neighbor, and the brakes are noisy. They also kick up dirt and debris, which can injure...

Jay, A .308 is a good starter rifle, though you have to be careful with the ammo - loads using 168 grain projectiles don't have enough steam to reach 1000 yards, and remain stable in flight. The danger is that there are people in the target pits, and an unstable bullet is a safety problem for...

Actually, I believe Norma formally adopted the 6.5-.284 cartridge. When propelling a 140ish grain low drag projectile at 2950+ FPS, a 6.5-.284 will hold its own in the wind against the combination of 190 grain match bullet from a .300 Winchester Magnum. Barrel life is still low (between...

Yes. The key word is "RECOIL". When you can get .300 Winchester Magnum wind drift on .308 recoil (or less), the choice tends to push people towards lighter calibers. Especially when some of these give equal or longer accurate barrel life.

In NRA Highpower, you are limited by bullet diameter (.30 caliber and less for highpower, and .338" for 600 Yards+) and by recoil tolerance (typical matches require something between 30 to 110 rounds - muzzle brakes are BANNED under NRA and CMP rules). As a result, the following are popular...

If you are plinking at 300-600 yards, 2771 FPS works, and you may get good accuracy with even slower loads. If you plan on shooting 1000 yards, 2771 won't get you there. Between Mach .8 to Mach 1.2, many projectiles encounter increased air drag and air turbulence. This can be severe enough to...