DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,174
- 5,636
I spend a little time at the range this morning. I wanted to ensure that my 9.3X64 was dialed in. I previously worked up some loads built around 250 grain ABs. I loaded up fifty and went to the range to prove them, together with some other loads. I think they will work.
The group on the far left is the initial three shot group. I then dialed in my scope and shot the upper bullseye. I think I'm good to go. Velocity is ~2700 +/- 14 fps. I think it will take down an elk ... if I can just get away to do it. Consequently, the group to the far right is another load that I was working on.
I was also shooting a 300WSM that has given me a bit of trouble. I previously work up a load for the owner, built around 168 grain TTSX. It was shooting little, bitty groups. The owner changed scopes, and suddenly the same load was shooting 1.5 inch groups for him. I checked out his contention, and he was correct. He had changed from a Zeiss Conquest to a Trijicon, and the scope appeared to be working fine. I reworked the load, increasing the charge in 0.5 grain increments. Here are the results.
As the charge is increased from what I had previously registered as maximum, the groups tighten significantly. I'll rework these loads next week and verify these results. If these results are correct, the rifle "suddenly" needs a grain more charge? I'm going to have to process this information.
These are some good results, but it was a trying day, otherwise. I managed to get a 300 grain A-Frame stuck in the lands, pulling it from the case in one test. Of course, this dumped all the powder into my magazine. Of course, this necessitated tearing the rifle down and cleaning. It wasn't much help. However, it also ensure that one tiny granule of RL15 worked its way into the firing pin passage. Several rounds went CLICK when I pulled the trigger. Do you realise how loud a click can be despite wearing ear plugs and ear muffs? I managed to work this problem out and I'm good to go again. There was the little matter of two 250 grain ABs nicking the top of the plastic housing on my Oehler 35. I'll say this for Oehlers--they are tough. There are two distinct grooves cut into the proof channel. It is still working beautifully. I don't believe they are insured against bullet holes, however.
The group on the far left is the initial three shot group. I then dialed in my scope and shot the upper bullseye. I think I'm good to go. Velocity is ~2700 +/- 14 fps. I think it will take down an elk ... if I can just get away to do it. Consequently, the group to the far right is another load that I was working on.
I was also shooting a 300WSM that has given me a bit of trouble. I previously work up a load for the owner, built around 168 grain TTSX. It was shooting little, bitty groups. The owner changed scopes, and suddenly the same load was shooting 1.5 inch groups for him. I checked out his contention, and he was correct. He had changed from a Zeiss Conquest to a Trijicon, and the scope appeared to be working fine. I reworked the load, increasing the charge in 0.5 grain increments. Here are the results.
As the charge is increased from what I had previously registered as maximum, the groups tighten significantly. I'll rework these loads next week and verify these results. If these results are correct, the rifle "suddenly" needs a grain more charge? I'm going to have to process this information.
These are some good results, but it was a trying day, otherwise. I managed to get a 300 grain A-Frame stuck in the lands, pulling it from the case in one test. Of course, this dumped all the powder into my magazine. Of course, this necessitated tearing the rifle down and cleaning. It wasn't much help. However, it also ensure that one tiny granule of RL15 worked its way into the firing pin passage. Several rounds went CLICK when I pulled the trigger. Do you realise how loud a click can be despite wearing ear plugs and ear muffs? I managed to work this problem out and I'm good to go again. There was the little matter of two 250 grain ABs nicking the top of the plastic housing on my Oehler 35. I'll say this for Oehlers--they are tough. There are two distinct grooves cut into the proof channel. It is still working beautifully. I don't believe they are insured against bullet holes, however.
