DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,320
- 5,997
I enjoyed a busy day shooting on Wednesday. The day began as a typical day in paradise (sunny and calm, temperature about 20 C (71 F)). By mid-afternoon, it was 34 C in direct sunlight. Some powders are pretty temperature sensitive, requiring attention to ensure that they are kept in the shade in order to get a decent velocity reading. The day was calm until late in the afternoon, so conditions were good for gathering information.
I had a 7mm STW for which I'm doing load development. The first attempt found one load that works (magnum and 160 grain TSX), but so far I'm having trouble stabilizing 160 grain ABs. I'll work up some other loads and try again next week. In the interim, because I put on a new scope, I sighted in my 350 RM with 200 grain TSX (2850 fps) and resighted my 35 Whelan that was just returned from Ruger for warranty work.
I found a good load for my 7mm RM, using 160 g AB and 63.5 g RL22. Velocity and accuracy was good at this charge. Unfortunately for the AB, I have an even more accurate load with 175 g. PT and with 175 g. TBBC, using H870. However, I'm looking forward to the eventual day when my dwindling supply of H870 is finally exhausted. I also worked up an accurate load with the 175 g PT and RL22, and I also have a very good load with 160 g PT and 59.5 g H100V. I also found a good load with 160 AB and 69.5 g RL25. I want to shoot this load again, as it appears to be a touch hot. I did get my first opportunity to shoot the 150 g E-Tip, using Retumbo. 73.5 g gave very good velocity and good accuracy. Across the spectrum of charges, this looks very promising.
I hadn't shot my 30-06 for some time, so I took it with me. I found an exceptionally accurate load with the 168 g E-Tip and Ramshot Hunter, but velocities were quite low. I also worked up my first loads using the 165 and 150 g GMX bullets. 58.5 g of IMR4831 with the 165 g GMX gave excellent velocity (2900 fps) and 3/4 inch groups. Regardless of the charge with IMR4350, the 150 g GMX shot one inch groups. I'll play with seating depths and see if these can be improved.
I'm still breaking in a new 300 WSM, and so it accompanied me to the range. I worked up a load with IMR8208XBR and 165 g PT. As I approached maximum charge, the groups progressively opened up. This may not be the best powder for this particular bullet. However, I was pleased with a load consisting of 60 g N550 and 180 g E-Tip, which gave me acceptable velocity and good accuracy. As the charge increased, the groups opened up. However, there is potential here. I also worked up and shot some 200 g Sierra GK in this rifle. I am always impressed with the 200 g bullets and wonder why I'm not using them. I'll focus on some loads with 200 g AB later this summer.
On the whole, I am impressed with the accuracy potential of the monolithic bullets for a variety of cartridges. I'll likely use monolithic bullets exclusively this fall. I've used a fair number of TSX in years past and never had a failure with them. My first use of the E-Tip this past fall (130 g in 270 WSM) was quite impressive.
In all, an informative day at the range. The Conservation Service had all their officers from the entire northern BC region at the range for qualifications, so it gave me opportunity to speak to some of the fellows in the field. Several of them shoot some interesting cartridges, as well.
I had a 7mm STW for which I'm doing load development. The first attempt found one load that works (magnum and 160 grain TSX), but so far I'm having trouble stabilizing 160 grain ABs. I'll work up some other loads and try again next week. In the interim, because I put on a new scope, I sighted in my 350 RM with 200 grain TSX (2850 fps) and resighted my 35 Whelan that was just returned from Ruger for warranty work.
I found a good load for my 7mm RM, using 160 g AB and 63.5 g RL22. Velocity and accuracy was good at this charge. Unfortunately for the AB, I have an even more accurate load with 175 g. PT and with 175 g. TBBC, using H870. However, I'm looking forward to the eventual day when my dwindling supply of H870 is finally exhausted. I also worked up an accurate load with the 175 g PT and RL22, and I also have a very good load with 160 g PT and 59.5 g H100V. I also found a good load with 160 AB and 69.5 g RL25. I want to shoot this load again, as it appears to be a touch hot. I did get my first opportunity to shoot the 150 g E-Tip, using Retumbo. 73.5 g gave very good velocity and good accuracy. Across the spectrum of charges, this looks very promising.
I hadn't shot my 30-06 for some time, so I took it with me. I found an exceptionally accurate load with the 168 g E-Tip and Ramshot Hunter, but velocities were quite low. I also worked up my first loads using the 165 and 150 g GMX bullets. 58.5 g of IMR4831 with the 165 g GMX gave excellent velocity (2900 fps) and 3/4 inch groups. Regardless of the charge with IMR4350, the 150 g GMX shot one inch groups. I'll play with seating depths and see if these can be improved.
I'm still breaking in a new 300 WSM, and so it accompanied me to the range. I worked up a load with IMR8208XBR and 165 g PT. As I approached maximum charge, the groups progressively opened up. This may not be the best powder for this particular bullet. However, I was pleased with a load consisting of 60 g N550 and 180 g E-Tip, which gave me acceptable velocity and good accuracy. As the charge increased, the groups opened up. However, there is potential here. I also worked up and shot some 200 g Sierra GK in this rifle. I am always impressed with the 200 g bullets and wonder why I'm not using them. I'll focus on some loads with 200 g AB later this summer.
On the whole, I am impressed with the accuracy potential of the monolithic bullets for a variety of cartridges. I'll likely use monolithic bullets exclusively this fall. I've used a fair number of TSX in years past and never had a failure with them. My first use of the E-Tip this past fall (130 g in 270 WSM) was quite impressive.
In all, an informative day at the range. The Conservation Service had all their officers from the entire northern BC region at the range for qualifications, so it gave me opportunity to speak to some of the fellows in the field. Several of them shoot some interesting cartridges, as well.
