DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,531
- 6,578
I have been waiting for warmer weather to finish off several rifles that were delivered to me for load development. Suffering from a severe case of cabin fever, I finally decided that I was going to the range whatever. So, yesterday morning I loaded up my truck and headed out to the range. It was snowing heavily when I arrived, and the storm increased in intensity as I set up. My sole consolation at that point was that I would have the range to myself. Then, I managed to break through a crust in the snow and nigh centred my truck, which required quite a bit of shovelling. Obviously, that wasn't much fun for an old duffer. I set up my Chrony and gear, and promptly shot the ears off the Chrony. My first clue that something wasn't right was the 4228 fps velocity recorded on the Beta model Chrony. I have spare ears and sky screens, so I set everything up, brushed the snow away and returned to the bench. After that, the Chrony worked fine, save for the fact that it seemed to be recording in m/s rather than f/s. So, I set up the spare Chrony I carry. By the time it was set up, the sky was clearing and the sun came out. It is amazing how perspective can change with a little sunshine.
I had several rifles that have been delivered. One is a Remington chambered in 7mm RUM. The owner wants to shoot Berger bullets. Out of the first three sets of loads, I had two that give good velocity/accuracy. I'll consult with the shop next week and see if they want to continue or call it quits. However, I have loads that deliver reasonable velocities and 0.4 inch groups.
I also shot a Savage 116 chambered in 7mm RM. At first, the owner wanted to shoot Bergers. However, I was getting groups in excess of three inches. In consultation with other Savage owners, I learned that this was not an unusual observation with Savage rifles. This was interesting to me, as I have shot a number of Savage rifles, and all shot very well. I recommended that I work up some loads using 160 grain ABs. I have several loads that give me good velocities and 0.5 inch groups. I may be finished with this rifle. Not bad for an off-the-shelf rifle that is just now broken in.
I also had a Tikka chambered in 270 WSM. On the first effort, I had great accuracy and poor velocities. The earlier focus was with 150 grain bullets, and the results were as noted. I suggested that the owner try 140 grain ABs. This time, I had several loads that gave 0.5 inch groups, and no groups were worse than 1.2 inches. Velocities were excellent. I believe I may be finished with this rifle, as well.
I carried a few of my own rifles along. The Model 7 CDL has some hope. I'm not overjoyed with it, but I'm not prepared to jettison the rifle, just yet. Groups developed with 120 grain Hornady GMX and RL17 were not just unspectacular--they were embarrassing. However, with a Nosler 140 grain PT and RL17, I found a load that gives good accuracy (sub MOA). The velocity is not what I would hope it to be, but I'll rework this and see what can be done to make the rifle shoot. I keep reminding myself that it has only had a limited number of rounds through it at this point.
I did take the new Remington 280 to the range as well. I believe there is real hope for this rifle. The last outing was just for break-in. I was shooting for groups this time. The very first effort was with 150 grain E-Tips and VN560. I'm seeing 0.6 inch groups and velocities going up to 2975 fps. I think I'll keep this rifle and continue working with it. I have several loads made up for testing built around the 150 grain E-Tip. I'll make it a point to let you know what it does when I get out to the range again.
The final rifle I took with me was my 30-06. I like this rifle. I was never excited by the cartridge because it is just too pedestrian. However, the fit and finish on this rifle is excellent, and it is boring in that it shoots well no matter what it is fed. It does not seem to be a spectacular shooter, but it is a consistent MOA shooter. One of the loads I worked up was built around the 150 grain E-Tip and RL17. It gives me 2800 fps and MOA consistently. I can live with that. Another promising load is built around the 150 grain GMX and RL17. It is 1.25 MOA at 2980 fps. There is potential there as well.
In all, though the day started poorly, I believe it ended well. There is some good data there and a basis to extend some work into bragging territory.
I had several rifles that have been delivered. One is a Remington chambered in 7mm RUM. The owner wants to shoot Berger bullets. Out of the first three sets of loads, I had two that give good velocity/accuracy. I'll consult with the shop next week and see if they want to continue or call it quits. However, I have loads that deliver reasonable velocities and 0.4 inch groups.
I also shot a Savage 116 chambered in 7mm RM. At first, the owner wanted to shoot Bergers. However, I was getting groups in excess of three inches. In consultation with other Savage owners, I learned that this was not an unusual observation with Savage rifles. This was interesting to me, as I have shot a number of Savage rifles, and all shot very well. I recommended that I work up some loads using 160 grain ABs. I have several loads that give me good velocities and 0.5 inch groups. I may be finished with this rifle. Not bad for an off-the-shelf rifle that is just now broken in.
I also had a Tikka chambered in 270 WSM. On the first effort, I had great accuracy and poor velocities. The earlier focus was with 150 grain bullets, and the results were as noted. I suggested that the owner try 140 grain ABs. This time, I had several loads that gave 0.5 inch groups, and no groups were worse than 1.2 inches. Velocities were excellent. I believe I may be finished with this rifle, as well.
I carried a few of my own rifles along. The Model 7 CDL has some hope. I'm not overjoyed with it, but I'm not prepared to jettison the rifle, just yet. Groups developed with 120 grain Hornady GMX and RL17 were not just unspectacular--they were embarrassing. However, with a Nosler 140 grain PT and RL17, I found a load that gives good accuracy (sub MOA). The velocity is not what I would hope it to be, but I'll rework this and see what can be done to make the rifle shoot. I keep reminding myself that it has only had a limited number of rounds through it at this point.
I did take the new Remington 280 to the range as well. I believe there is real hope for this rifle. The last outing was just for break-in. I was shooting for groups this time. The very first effort was with 150 grain E-Tips and VN560. I'm seeing 0.6 inch groups and velocities going up to 2975 fps. I think I'll keep this rifle and continue working with it. I have several loads made up for testing built around the 150 grain E-Tip. I'll make it a point to let you know what it does when I get out to the range again.
The final rifle I took with me was my 30-06. I like this rifle. I was never excited by the cartridge because it is just too pedestrian. However, the fit and finish on this rifle is excellent, and it is boring in that it shoots well no matter what it is fed. It does not seem to be a spectacular shooter, but it is a consistent MOA shooter. One of the loads I worked up was built around the 150 grain E-Tip and RL17. It gives me 2800 fps and MOA consistently. I can live with that. Another promising load is built around the 150 grain GMX and RL17. It is 1.25 MOA at 2980 fps. There is potential there as well.
In all, though the day started poorly, I believe it ended well. There is some good data there and a basis to extend some work into bragging territory.
