Range Trip

[joelkdouglas]

Gents,

I made it to the rifle range for the first time since PCSing to Ft Leavenworth. Rifle...didn't shoot very well. Actually pretty poorly.

The load I used (59.8 grains H4350, 150 AccuBond, 30-06) isn't a very proven load, though it shot well the last range trip in Lousiana (about 0.6 inches for 4 shots). Today's groups were about 3.5 inches. Something unique about today's loads were I was using virgin Hornady brass. The Hornady brass was prepped like other brass (sorted for neck thickness variance, flash hole deburred, etc.)

The scope may have been damaged during the move, I suppose. The rifle was in a soft case, packed in a hard case, bolt removed and wrapped separately.

Tonight for sure I'm going to load some proven rounds--180 Partitions, 58.8 Ramshot Hunter, Nosler brass. I also have some 155 Custom Competitions loaded--should have shot those first today probably, and by the time I realized something wasn't right the range closed down (closes at 4 on Fridays).

Other than loading some proven Partition rounds, anything else you gents would do? Remove scope and check torque on base and ring screws? More?

Thanks gents.
v/r
Joel

 

[SJB358]

Joel, I would bet your Proven load shoots. Sometimes one good load won't do it again, so try your PT load. Betting everything fine. I'd imagine your rifle could take a bunch of abuse before something really bad happens. Just getting used to shooting again accounts for some group size for me.

 

[DrMike]

It is KS. The geography (centre of the nation, etc.) has a dramatic effect on projectiles. It takes time for the bullets (and rifles) to adjust to a balanced situation. :grin:

 

[joelkdouglas]

I took another step also--I put a scope on a "donor" rifle. I know you're never, never to shoot the donor, but it's also a 30-06.

If my primary 30-06 doesn't shoot with the proven loads tomorrow, the "donor" will get a go! It will take Bartlein 6 months to make the new barrel anyway, so I might as well have a backup rifle for this year.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Bad idea!! Donors are for actions not shooting!! You might actually like it!

 

[SJB358]

Bad idea!! Donors are for actions not shooting!! You might actually like it!

It's only a 30-06 Jake, how much could he possibly like it! :grin:

 

[DrMike]

Bad idea!! Donors are for actions not shooting!! You might actually like it!

It's only a 30-06 Jake, how much could be possibly like it! :grin:

Ooooo. A veritable hit from the Marine.

 

[joelkdouglas]

You guys were right as always--both my main practice load (59.1 grains IMR 4350, 155 Custom Competitions) and the hunting load (180 PT, 58.8 gr Ramshot Hunter) shot superbly.

Maybe I should give up on the H4350 and 150 AccuBond combination. I would love to try some 4064 or Ramshot Big Game with the 150s, but as you're aware, powders aren't very readily available just yet.

And I did shoot the donor--it didn't like the H4350 rounds either. It shot okay, but the featherweight barrel heated up really quickly. After about five shots it started throwing rounds, and then even after 15 minutes of cooling it was still hot. She shot well for those five shots, but not well enough to keep her as-is!

 

[nvbroncrider]

You dodged a bullet!

 

[SJB358]

You guys were right as always--both my main practice load (59.1 grains IMR 4350, 155 Custom Competitions) and the hunting load (180 PT, 58.8 gr Ramshot Hunter) shot superbly.

Maybe I should give up on the H4350 and 150 AccuBond combination. I would love to try some 4064 or Ramshot Big Game with the 150s, but as you're aware, powders aren't very readily available just yet.

And I did shoot the donor--it didn't like the H4350 rounds either. It shot okay, but the featherweight barrel heated up really quickly. After about five shots it started throwing rounds, and then even after 15 minutes of cooling it was still hot. She shot well for those five shots, but not well enough to keep her as-is!

Joel, what is your donor going to become? A 35 Whelen, 338-06?

Seems like the ultimate use of that mightly Featherweight!

 

[joelkdouglas]

You guys were right as always--both my main practice load (59.1 grains IMR 4350, 155 Custom Competitions) and the hunting load (180 PT, 58.8 gr Ramshot Hunter) shot superbly.

Maybe I should give up on the H4350 and 150 AccuBond combination. I would love to try some 4064 or Ramshot Big Game with the 150s, but as you're aware, powders aren't very readily available just yet.

And I did shoot the donor--it didn't like the H4350 rounds either. It shot okay, but the featherweight barrel heated up really quickly. After about five shots it started throwing rounds, and then even after 15 minutes of cooling it was still hot. She shot well for those five shots, but not well enough to keep her as-is!

Joel, what is your donor going to become? A 35 Whelen, 338-06?

Seems like the ultimate use of that mightly Featherweight!

A 30-06! But it will be a Bartlein #2 instead of a featherweight contour, in a claro fiddleback stock.

It came down to 25-06 vs 30-06, but I just couldn't help thinking that I would want to take my lovely wood stocked rifle elk and moose hunting.

Here's the wood blank (you've probably seen it before, but I'll repost). The blank I bought is the bottom one in both images.





I'm thinking a red recoil pad, skeleton grip cap, ebony foreend tip, fleur de lis checkering (no ribbons).

The only thing I still can't decide on is case coloring or not. I found some Talley fixed case colored rings, and I could have the Talley bases, bottom metal, grip cap, and swivel studs (inset style) case colored to match, or I could just go with some nice bluing. What do you think--is case coloring a step too far? I don't want it to be ostentatious. I think I just want a classy, well finished hunting rifle, and I certainly don't want a safe queen. Not enough room in my safe for rifles to just sit there!

 

[SJB358]

That's beautiful and maybe too much for a 30-06.

Just kidding, but my Lord is that wood stunning and your plans are really nice too!