Range Day

[truck driver]

Had the day off so I took some rifles and went to the range.
I decided to sight in the M70 with the scope Fotis gifted me and It didn't let me down. I sighted in at 50yds and took it to 100yds I was shooting loads developed for the M77 and they showed some pressure signs but not bad since they were loaded hot for the Ruger I sort of expected it. It was turning in 1 1/2" groups with no coaxing easily. I also shot a few out of the Ruger just to let the M70 cool down and it was it's usual 3/4" groups.

I had done a major cleaning on the Whelen because it looked like I was mining copper in the barrel. Well that was a mistake because it took five or six shots to get it to settle down and the best I could get out of it with the 225gr AB's was 2" even though I shortened them up from 3.405 to 3.390 OAL the group was better clustered but still not what I was expecting out of this bullet.Maybe I need to push them a little harder or try a different powder. 200gr Hornadays over 61grs of 4064 was looking good with 3 shots at 3/4"s This would be my go to load if I were to hunt tomorrow. Up next was some 250gr NPTs over 55grs of Varget. Now I know why everyone likes the heavy bullets in the Whelen. They shot very well considering I just picked a random load out of QL that DrMike ran for me. They shot just over 3/4" at 100yds with 2 almost cutting the same hole and one was at 1230 opening the 3 shot group up.
IMR4064 and Varget seems to work the best in this rifle at least my best groups have come with these powders. Only time will tell I'll have to check the burn rate charts to see where the 3 powders stand that I'm using( RL15, IMR4064 and Varget ).

 

[wvchevy3]

Rodger, my go to powders in that rifle were (RL-15 ,IMR 8208 XBR ,IMR 4064. My 200 gr Hornadys Loved the Imr 8208 XBR.Lee

 

[SJB358]

Sounds like that 200 grain Hornsdy would be a great load for deer. Can't beat that accuracy and I'd bet it's fast too.

 

[truck driver]

Thanks Lee, I haven't seen any IMR 8208 around and for some reason the RL15 has been disappointing, but maybe I'm expecting too much.

Scotty I don't have a chrony but I'm thinking in the 2850fps to 2900fps range with 61grs of IMR 4064.

 

[wvchevy3]

I hear you. If by chance you ever find any it wont disappoint, the IMR 4064 was next best in accuracy and speed for the 200 grainers. The RL=15 works well for the 250's with max loads. Lee

 

[truck driver]

Been trying it(RL15) with the 225gr ABs and I can't find the sweet spot with them.

 

[wvchevy3]

unfortunately I cant help with the 225Ab, I didn't mess with them that much. I mainly worked with the 200 and 250's.Lee

 

[truck driver]

Thanks Lee, after looking at the on line Nosler manual it looks like I may have been pushing them too hard since most of the accurate loads are running around 2550 with the 225gr ABs.

 

[DrMike]

Sounds as if you have a couple of loads that will work. Good job, Rodger.

 

[truck driver]

Sounds as if you have a couple of loads that will work. Good job, Rodger.

Thanks DrMike, the 200gr Hornaday has been a shooter from the get go and the 250gr NPT was a welcome surprise. I really wanted to get the 225gr bullet figured out but don't know what's going on with it. Then it could be that the rifle doesn't like RL15 with that bullet so I'm going to try a different powder. Both Imr 4064 and Varget seem to work well in my rifle so maybe I'll give them a try with the 225gr AB.

 

[SJB358]

RL15 will work, but it'll probably work better at the higher end I bet. Both of my loads worked like that and it seems to be a characteristic of the Whelen with 225's and 250's with RL15.

 

[truck driver]

RL15 will work, but it'll probably work better at the higher end I bet. Both of my loads worked like that and it seems to be a characteristic of the Whelen with 225's and 250's with RL15.

maybe I need to push them a little harder. I'll try going up by 1/2 grain till I see pressure signs. Right now I'm at 60grs. with the 225's and RL15.

 

[wvchevy3]

RL-15 worked best at max loads with the 250's,so it might be the same with 225's.Lee

 

[truck driver]

RL-15 worked best at max loads with the 250's,so it might be the same with 225's.Lee

Lee, do you know what your loads were for the 250's with RL15?

 

[wvchevy3]

I will have to see, they were on the targets I gave you.I may still have them somewhere.Lee

 

[SJB358]

If you're at 60 grains now, I'd really look at searing depth and work that. I run 61 grains of 15 and net about 2730 so your real close to the upper end. The ABs will require more tweaking than most people think. They will shoot though, once you find that node.

 

[truck driver]

I will have to see, they were on the targets I gave you.I may still have them somewhere.Lee

I put those targets away and can't remember where I stashed them. I'm a semi pack rat and also use my targets for reference. I just recently started keeping a log. My old manuals have most of my notes in them.


Scotty, I was at 3.405 oal and shortened them up 15k to 3.390 because I had 2 in and one out. Now there all in but the group is larger from 1 1/2 (3 shots)to 2 1/2 for 4 shots.
Don't know where to go?

 

[SJB358]

Keep going shorter a 1/4 turn at a time if you have 2 in and 1 out, if it is a large triangle, go further out in seating 1/4 turn at a time. Your closer than you think. AB's will test the best of handloaders.

 

[truck driver]

Keep going shorter a 1/4 turn at a time if you have 2 in and 1 out, if it is a large triangle, go further out in seating 1/4 turn at a time. Your closer than you think. AB's will test the best of handloaders.

Here's a pic of the last group fired at 100yds. 225gr AB 60grs RL15 3.390 OAL.

 

[truck driver]

Keep going shorter a 1/4 turn at a time if you have 2 in and 1 out, if it is a large triangle, go further out in seating 1/4 turn at a time. Your closer than you think. AB's will test the best of hand loaders.

I found Lee's targets he gave me with the rifle when I bought it and his load was 61.5grs of RL15 with the 225gr AB so what I'm thinking is to stretch it back out and start over at 3.475" and see what happens. :mrgreen: