Well, I had some time to slip away with the kids at school and mama at work, so I loaded up some stuff last night and prepped the range gear. I took a bunch of rifles out to try and some just to verify.
I also bedded the recoil lug on my son's M70 FWT 7x57. It has been a decent shooter since we got it, but you had to let it cool for a long time between shots and it just wasn't as consistent as I wanted. So, I glassed in the lug and let it dry up a few days before taking it out.
I was shooting a known load that has put in some excellent groups in the past, 52 grains RL19, 140 BT, CCI BR4 and WW cases. It runs just a tick under 2800 out of the rifle.
1st group out of the rifle, Seemed to have promise
2nd group
3rd group
4th group
Overall, I was pretty happy with the little rifle.
I brought out the 300WSM with 200 AB's and Magpro. Nothing really good to report on that, speeds were in the 2700's pretty easily, didn't see any pressure signs but accuracy was crap. At this point I am not sure if it is the scope or what, but groups were pretty bad.
Now, the 180 AB loads with RL19, those shot excellent at around 3030 or so. Just like before I left. I guess I don't have to really look for the another bullet, but I was really hoping to get into the mid 2800's or so with the 200's. I was at a max charge for QL which listed I should be in the higher 2800's if not the lower 2900's. The highest speeds I got was about 2730 or so.. I guess I need to shift and retry my attack point..
I shot the Whelen a little. Seemed pretty good, right where I left it and the AB's were running right at 2730 or so. Accuracy was as good as could be expected.
I did shoot the 264 Win Mag again, just to verify the zero with the 140 BT. Those were drilling little knot holes and running about 3185 or so. Just where I left them. Pretty happy with that load.
I also brought the 7WSM back out. I had some issues with different lots of 2nds. Well, I got a new lot and tried the load that seemed to work when I left, 67 grains RL22, CCI250, WW case, 2.850" COAL. While the groups don't look awesome, I am still getting my head on straight shooting the long guns again. These ran over the chrono about 3075 or so.
1st
2nd
3rd
Final
Seems pretty good. I imagine the load is sound, but it was the driver today..
I also shot my wife's 308. I had a good load of 46 grains of RL15, WW cases, BR2's and the 165 AB. Those shot awesome the last time out and shot really well this time, but they were only chrono'ing about 2500? Just didn't make sense. All the rest looked fine but these were really SLOW. I also think it is the same lb of RL15 I used before I left as well. I don't get it. I will retry them, as before I left they were knocking on 2800...
Either way, it was good to get back out with the long guns and pick out a pair for elk hunting. I was going to run the 300WSM and the Whelen, but the 7WSM is shooting really well and I haven't REALLY hunted with the 270WSM in quite awhile either.. Might take them both..
I also bedded the recoil lug on my son's M70 FWT 7x57. It has been a decent shooter since we got it, but you had to let it cool for a long time between shots and it just wasn't as consistent as I wanted. So, I glassed in the lug and let it dry up a few days before taking it out.
I was shooting a known load that has put in some excellent groups in the past, 52 grains RL19, 140 BT, CCI BR4 and WW cases. It runs just a tick under 2800 out of the rifle.
1st group out of the rifle, Seemed to have promise
2nd group
3rd group
4th group
Overall, I was pretty happy with the little rifle.
I brought out the 300WSM with 200 AB's and Magpro. Nothing really good to report on that, speeds were in the 2700's pretty easily, didn't see any pressure signs but accuracy was crap. At this point I am not sure if it is the scope or what, but groups were pretty bad.
Now, the 180 AB loads with RL19, those shot excellent at around 3030 or so. Just like before I left. I guess I don't have to really look for the another bullet, but I was really hoping to get into the mid 2800's or so with the 200's. I was at a max charge for QL which listed I should be in the higher 2800's if not the lower 2900's. The highest speeds I got was about 2730 or so.. I guess I need to shift and retry my attack point..
I shot the Whelen a little. Seemed pretty good, right where I left it and the AB's were running right at 2730 or so. Accuracy was as good as could be expected.
I did shoot the 264 Win Mag again, just to verify the zero with the 140 BT. Those were drilling little knot holes and running about 3185 or so. Just where I left them. Pretty happy with that load.
I also brought the 7WSM back out. I had some issues with different lots of 2nds. Well, I got a new lot and tried the load that seemed to work when I left, 67 grains RL22, CCI250, WW case, 2.850" COAL. While the groups don't look awesome, I am still getting my head on straight shooting the long guns again. These ran over the chrono about 3075 or so.
1st
2nd
3rd
Final
Seems pretty good. I imagine the load is sound, but it was the driver today..
I also shot my wife's 308. I had a good load of 46 grains of RL15, WW cases, BR2's and the 165 AB. Those shot awesome the last time out and shot really well this time, but they were only chrono'ing about 2500? Just didn't make sense. All the rest looked fine but these were really SLOW. I also think it is the same lb of RL15 I used before I left as well. I don't get it. I will retry them, as before I left they were knocking on 2800...
Either way, it was good to get back out with the long guns and pick out a pair for elk hunting. I was going to run the 300WSM and the Whelen, but the 7WSM is shooting really well and I haven't REALLY hunted with the 270WSM in quite awhile either.. Might take them both..