bullet
Handloader
- Dec 26, 2007
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+ ONE
Here she is... she still needs her make-up
- Thread starter Desert Fox
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- #22
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
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Now off to the range and see what she can do. I just mounted my Nikon Tactical for now for barrel break in. I'm still contemplating on what scope to use on this rifle. Being a Tactical/Longrange rifle, A Nightforce NXS probably will be more appropriate.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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I should imagine your results will be suggestive, if not gratifying. We'll all be watching for the results, Rommel.
- Oct 30, 2004
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Great job buddy!
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
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Nice meticulous work DF...did you get her out for a few rounds yet?
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- #27
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
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I loaded 50 rounds of 105 grain Berger and Reloader 15 starting from 28.5 to 30.3 grains in 5 round increment. I had a match today so no chance to go to the range.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
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Desert Fox":1rmn5fyg said:
Are you shooting the target VLD or the hybrid?
- Thread starter
- #31
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
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It's VLD's. I will also load the 105 A-Max.
I have about 4 lbs of Reloader 15 and only less than a pound of Varget so Reloader 15 get the nudge. As soon as the 8 lbs of Varget from a group buy shows up. I will develop load for it also.
bullet
Handloader
- Dec 26, 2007
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You know, I think a beginner could shoot that rifle and get good results. Of course we expect exceptional results from you Desert Fox. Can't wait to see how it groups. Well done, nice optics, great setup indeed. :mrgreen:
- Thread starter
- #33
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
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She just gave me a glimpse of things to come. This was just preliminary load development, fire forming and barrel break in. With a better scope and prepped fire formed brass, she will tighten things up.
I found out that 29.8 to 30.1 grain of Reloader 15 is the sweet spot for this rifle. 30.2 is over max with 105 grain Berger VLD's. Velocity for 29.8 grain load is around 2875 fps and with 30.1 grain at 2910 fps. Load some Hornady 105 A-Max to try this weekend. I switched primer too using 205 Federal Match this time and see if I can tighten up the standard deviation. I also pulled out the Nikon Tactical scope (10X is way too small of a magnification for benchwork on this 55 year old eye) and temporarily mounted my old Burris 8-32 Signature Benchrest scope. I'm still mulling on what scope to get to complement this rifle. I budgeted for NXS MOAR reticle but leaning towards either ATACR MOAR or the Competition.
Anyway, here's some picture from last weekend range session.
Fired this 6 shot group after 15 round through the barrel. The first shot from a clean barrel went about an inch right. This was with 29.8 grains of powder.
I found out that 29.8 to 30.1 grain of Reloader 15 is the sweet spot for this rifle. 30.2 is over max with 105 grain Berger VLD's. Velocity for 29.8 grain load is around 2875 fps and with 30.1 grain at 2910 fps. Load some Hornady 105 A-Max to try this weekend. I switched primer too using 205 Federal Match this time and see if I can tighten up the standard deviation. I also pulled out the Nikon Tactical scope (10X is way too small of a magnification for benchwork on this 55 year old eye) and temporarily mounted my old Burris 8-32 Signature Benchrest scope. I'm still mulling on what scope to get to complement this rifle. I budgeted for NXS MOAR reticle but leaning towards either ATACR MOAR or the Competition.
Anyway, here's some picture from last weekend range session.
Fired this 6 shot group after 15 round through the barrel. The first shot from a clean barrel went about an inch right. This was with 29.8 grains of powder.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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That'll get the blood pumping! Great promise there, Rommel.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
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Nice start DF. I'm heading out in the morning to put the first 20 rounds through my 6BR. I'll be shooting R15 with Nosler CC 107 seconds just to break it in. Not even running these through the chronograph since it won't be a bullet used for competition ( unless something crazy happens).
Keep us posted on load work.
Keep us posted on load work.
- Thread starter
- #36
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
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Joel, Reloader 15 is kind of dirty. Not sure if I'm going to like this powder. I'll head out tomorrow also and try Varget. I have to borrow a pound from a friend. I'm still waiting for 2- 8 pounder that I ordered from a local group buy. Good Luck.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
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Got the first 20 rounds down the barrel this morning and cleaned it prior to racing to Chicago for a trade show. Not sure if it is a good barrel or what, but three patches with Butches cleaned it up and no copper fouling at all (no cleaning between shots for me anymore). I get back on Thursday and should get out this weekend for some serious load work. First match is in two weeks... :shock: .
Will be trying the 105 VLD and Hybrid with Varget and R15. Not being serious about groups and feeling out the rifle with R15 and Nosler 107 CC's gave two groups that were under .5 moa.
Will be trying the 105 VLD and Hybrid with Varget and R15. Not being serious about groups and feeling out the rifle with R15 and Nosler 107 CC's gave two groups that were under .5 moa.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
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SJB358":1sbxp0m8 said:
I bought a box of "seconds" this past winter to use for foulers and barrel break-in. The plan was to try VLD's, hybrids and SMK's for the serious load work. It is strange how different rifles like different bullet/powder combos though. Most guys shooting the 6BR calibers (dasher, XC, etc...) all seem to go to Berger first and then try SMK's or JLK's if the bergers won't shoot. The rifle I used last year preferred the 107 SMK with 30 grains of Varget over any of the berger bullets. There are guys that shoot the CC's with great results, there just seems to be more that get the other brands to shoot better. The BC's are better with the SMK or berger bullets which usually translates to better groups at the longer distances.
The groups that get shot at 100 yards that are one-hole groups with a certain bullet don't always translate into the best groups at 600 yards. Sometimes a bullet that shoots only .5 MOA at 100 yards will shoot better at 600 yards than a bullet that was a one-hole group at 100 yards. I still usually take the one-hole group bullet first, but guys that know more than me say sometimes the VLD style doesn't show it's true potential until they get past 300 yards.
USMC89 gets a bullet to shoot .5 MOA and calls it good no matter what caliber or distance he is shooting. It does come down to being able to read wind correctly and deal with mirage once you find a load that shoots .5 MOA for the longer distances. The guys that shoot 100-300 yard bench matches have their groups measured in the .125 MOA ranges, but wind doesn't get to play as big of a role in the bullet flight at those distances.
Guys that shoot benchrest and F-class matches have wind flags and "known distances" to help in dialing their dope. Guys that shoot steel and "unknown distance" matches have to be better at ranging/dialing their scopes and reading the wind. That is one of the biggest reasons most tactical matches have more first focal plane than second focal plane scopes used. They need to use their scopes to range the target, where known distances guys don't have to worry about the range. You can range with second focal scopes, it is just easier with first focal. Thats why Jeff has bought all those high end S&B scopes this past year :lol: .
