.270 150 gr. ABLR range day

[Silentstalker]

So I finally got a chance to get out and try the new 150 gr. ABLR's. I loaded to sets of tests. The 1st was with H4831sc which shoots the best so far with my 150 gr. BT load. I then loaded a test of RL22 with the small amount of powder I still had. These were shot at 100 yards on a lead sled from a .270 Win Weatherby Vanguard series 2 Back country. Temp was right around 90 degrees. Tough to cool the barrel all the way down. Also I don't have a chronograph...

I am using Win Brass, WLR primers, shot at 3.340" for starters. I really like the 55 gr. H4831sc load at well under 1/2" (.473") Hopefully future tests show the same type of accuracy. Was not sure about some of the groups as the shot felt good but I had some severe fliers.

RL22 did not perform as well as I hoped in this test. 55 looked good till i got that dang flier!

Here are the results: Any suggestions or thoughts? This load is for hunting and a small amount of long range plinking.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Shorten up that 55 and I bet your in.

 

[Rigbymauser]

Shorten up that 55 and I bet your in.

Add a little more fuel to the 56,5 load.. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[gerry]

I would try the H 4831 sc loads again from 54.5-55.5 gr and see which is better, with the best load playing with the seating depth might bring it even tighter. It looks like you are very close already, you could try the same with the RL 22 loads but might not have too with your other load looking so good so far.

 

[Silentstalker]

I think I will try to shorten that 55 gr load and shoot some 5 shot groups at 300 yards. I think Im pretty close! Thanks for the input!

 

[pre6422hornet]

Yep I agree on shortening up the 55.

 

[SJB358]

I think I will try to shorten that 55 gr load and shoot some 5 shot groups at 300 yards. I think Im pretty close! Thanks for the input!

I think your on it!

That'll tell you alot out at 300..

Great shooting. They seem to respond with a little jump..

 

[Silentstalker]

Should I shorten them up .005 at a time? Im thinking some at the same length, then some a tad shorter. At 300 it should either confirm or kill that load. Im thinking positively though! Thanks for the advice!

 

[SJB358]

Should I shorten them up .005 at a time? Im thinking some at the same length, then some a tad shorter. At 300 it should either confirm or kill that load. Im thinking positively though! Thanks for the advice!

I usually go in bigger jumps than that. I think you'll find a wide seating node, and be able to tweak from there. I tend to go .025" or more at a time. This way kinda shows me the middle of a "spot" that allows me to dial them in.

 

[sask boy]

Yes Scotty, I agree I normally start at .025 and test it against the OAL that I had on the previous load.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Silentstalker]

Cool. Thank you!

 

[Silentstalker]

Okay So I went out and re shot my H4831 sc load at 55 gr. I shot a 5 shot group at 200 yards and the group was ridiculous. It was the exact same primers, powder and bullets. Only difference was it was slightly cooler, off my Dads rest instead of off my buddies lead sled, and 200 yards instead of 100 yards. At 100 it shot under 1/2" last time and this time its around 4". The COAL was 3.340 as it was before.

Then I shot a 4 shot group of the exact same load at 3.327 and it shot just over 2" with the exception that it had 1 flier that I did not "call". If you count that flier its a 3" plus group.

Then I shot a 5 shot group of the exact same load at 3.315 and the group was over 5".

This is a completely factory Weatherby vanguard 2. The only thing I have done is lighten the trigger. What do you make of these groups? Did I just have a bad day as a "new" shooter? Did 200 yards prove my loads are not good? Do these groups show that I need to bed my rifle or have any particular work done?

Where would you guys go from here?? I really don't know what to do.

 

[DrMike]

Because the groups (or patterns) are all over the target, it is difficult to definitively assign the load with being a problem. At this point, I would reshoot the group you originally shot at 100 yards. Verify that it is as good as you think. I would shoot at least three three-shot groups before drawing a conclusion. If the group is tight at 100 yards, then it is possible that the bullet is not stabilized beyond 100 yards, though such is rare. Before I did a lot more, I'd check rings and bases to ensure that they are properly torqued. I'd also verify that action screws are properly torqued for my rifle. I would also verify that there is no binding point on the barrel channel. If you are a new shooter, it may be that you are developing a flinch. Ask a friend who is qualified to tell you what is observed to watch you as you fire off your rounds to ensure that this is not a problem. Additionally, wear ear plugs as well as muffs to baffle the shot.

 

[SJB358]

Mike just said everything I was going to say. I would also make sure your focus is dialed in and your shooting at a good, clear target where the sunlight won't reflect on your aiming point.

 

[Silentstalker]

Thank you both. PM sent Dr. Mike. I appreciate the help!

 

[pre6422hornet]

Just to add on a little to what Dr and Scotty already mentioned.

Try some dryfire practise at home. Try to find a place where you can tape a small black dot, or a picture of a deer out of a magazine on the wall. Dial down the scope to the lowest power setting. Then try to find a place to get a good rest.

1. Now make sure your rifle is unloaded.
2. Make double sure your rifle is unloaded.
3. After making sure your rifle is unloaded, check it again just to be sure.
4. Now commence to some dryfire practise. Focus on the dot or picture on the wall. Pay attention to your trigger squeeze. Hold the gun the exact same way everytime. Breath the exact same way every time. Call your shot even though it is dryfire.

Do this a few times a week and pretty soon you will see your groups shrink. I gaurantee it.

 

[DrMike]

Just to add on a little to what Dr and Scotty already mentioned.

Try some dryfire practise at home. Try to find a place where you can tape a small black dot, or a picture of a deer out of a magazine on the wall. Dial down the scope to the lowest power setting. Then try to find a place to get a good rest.

1. Now make sure your rifle is unloaded.
2. Make double sure your rifle is unloaded.
3. After making sure your rifle is unloaded, check it again just to be sure.

Nothing ruins the day quicker than an irate wife because you blew out the basement wall. :shock: Three times is not too many to ensure that your rifle is empty. I've even been known to remove the firing pin, just for comfort, before such exercises.

 

[sask boy]

Yes Mike, my wife really does not like that as well :shock:.
Interesting read enjoy all the information .

Blessings,
Dan

 

[truck driver]

An AD (accidental discarge) will ruin your whole day. :roll:

 

[SJB358]

Dry firing is what makes Marines great shooters. I would bet I've dry fired 10000 times or more. That sight picture that Pat talks about becomes muscle memory. Can't say enough good about time spent dry firing.