nvbroncrider
Handloader
- Aug 20, 2011
- 3,085
- 3
Well had another good range day today. Made some loads up for the 35 Rem. My first 35 cal and lever gun. It has a specific fun purpose in my arsenal and I think it will prove out. Kinda different setting up a crimp die and all but it was neat and it shoots plenty good for its purpose. Was shooting .357" 158 Nosler JHP pistol bullets in it. I could push this load a lot faster if I want to. 30 grains of IMR-4198. Cases should last forever. It put 3 touching at 25 yards with iron sights. Long shot for this rifle may be 50 yards so it's totally acceptable for my intents.
Also shot the 338-06AI prepping it for bear. This rifle has been a bear to deal with. No pun intended. Best group it shot was under 1/2" when Fireforming a couple years ago. Since then it's best group was 3/4". I'd tried 200BT and 225 AB and once tried the 225 PT (only shot one group)which did shoot 3/4". I've tried 3 different powders at numerous different charges spreads of 8 grains with these powders and seating depths from 3.385" mag length all the way down to 3.2" no matter what I did no gain in results. So after I booked my hunt I decided to load some 225PT at 62 grains of 414 and at 3.315" and and 3.3" to test along with some 210 S2 from .050", .075" and .1" off the lands.
Well the first PT group was 2-in-1-out at about .75" and the fouler off a cold barrel about an inch lower than the group. Then I shot the 3.3" load and had 4 rounds go in a single group at about .5". I was very pleased with this as I had never seen this rifle shoot remotely close to this good. I was beginning to believe it was the "nut" not being able to handle the rifle.
Then I shot the 210 S2's and they were all over. Back to a sense of normality with that rifle 1.5-2" groups. With the .075" rounds going into a 3" vertical string.
I always wanted that rifle to shoot those sleek sexy AB or S2's but I guess I should've realized this a long time ago and tried harder with the plain old basic PT. They might not look that pretty but they dang sure shoot and put animals on the ground. Would have saved a lot of time and money if I would've listened to the rifle. A lot less powder burned and frustration with that rifle.
Also shot the 338-06AI prepping it for bear. This rifle has been a bear to deal with. No pun intended. Best group it shot was under 1/2" when Fireforming a couple years ago. Since then it's best group was 3/4". I'd tried 200BT and 225 AB and once tried the 225 PT (only shot one group)which did shoot 3/4". I've tried 3 different powders at numerous different charges spreads of 8 grains with these powders and seating depths from 3.385" mag length all the way down to 3.2" no matter what I did no gain in results. So after I booked my hunt I decided to load some 225PT at 62 grains of 414 and at 3.315" and and 3.3" to test along with some 210 S2 from .050", .075" and .1" off the lands.
Well the first PT group was 2-in-1-out at about .75" and the fouler off a cold barrel about an inch lower than the group. Then I shot the 3.3" load and had 4 rounds go in a single group at about .5". I was very pleased with this as I had never seen this rifle shoot remotely close to this good. I was beginning to believe it was the "nut" not being able to handle the rifle.
Then I shot the 210 S2's and they were all over. Back to a sense of normality with that rifle 1.5-2" groups. With the .075" rounds going into a 3" vertical string.
I always wanted that rifle to shoot those sleek sexy AB or S2's but I guess I should've realized this a long time ago and tried harder with the plain old basic PT. They might not look that pretty but they dang sure shoot and put animals on the ground. Would have saved a lot of time and money if I would've listened to the rifle. A lot less powder burned and frustration with that rifle.
