Rifle Accuracy "Tuning"

[joelkdouglas]

Alright gents, I'm back from the range.

First, it was in the mid-70s when I started shooting. No wind for about 30 minutes, but then the wind picked up a bit and we probably had winds of 15 gusting to 25 or so. For sure nothing I wouldn't go hunting in.

I started shooting with a Bull's Bag (wanted to have a solid rest), and then moved back to the S-BR Harris Bipod. Interestingly enough, the groups were better off the bipod. And my groups were improved today over previous trips. A possible explanation for the improved groups is I lightened my trigger pull from 4 lbs to 3 lbs this week. I believe that's probably why my groups shrank from the normal 1.5 inches.

Pictures are posted below. Each picture is annotated with the powder charge and the 2nd or 3rd string. Both the 57.0 and 57.6 first strings were 1 inch groups, off a Bull's Bag, centered around the aim point. I've also posted a picture of my rifle per Dr Mike's request. She's nothing special, but she kills deer or elk every year. The rifle and scope (Leupold 3.5-10 x 40 VX-3) are 8 years old, the trigger (Timney) is 4 years old, and the stock (HS Precision) is new this year.

All ammo was: Lapua .30-06 brass, CCI LR200 primers, 168 grain Nosler Custom Competition bullets, and IMR 4350. The two powder groups that performed best were 57.0 grains and 57.6 grains.

My question is even though the 57.6 grain powder groups were smaller, would you choose the 57.0 grain group because it was always closer to the aiming point? By the third string the rifle was probably a bit too hot, and a bit too dirty, but the 57.0 group never strayed as far away from the aim point as any other group. But the groups were not the smallest.

Opinions?

View attachment 57.0 grains 2nd string.jpg

View attachment 57.0 grains 3rd string.jpg

View attachment 57.6 grains 2nd string.jpg

View attachment 57.6 grains 3rd string.jpg

View attachment Remington 700 BDL .30-06.jpg

 

[joelkdouglas]

Joel, I have been loading for the .30-06 for 45 years now and my favorite load is 57.5 gr of IMR 4350 with the BR-2 primer and W-W brass. The bullets that I use are primarily 165 gr Partitions and 168 gr CT Silvertips. Both loads shoot under 3/4 inch groups in my Model 70, even with Winchester Supreme 165 CT Silvertips. My OAL is 3.35 and I have used this same load in four different .30-06's with great results each time.

I think that you are probably close to an optimum load and just need to fool around with a little different powder amounts and COAL's a little. Try going a little higher (.5 grs) and maybe try the CT Silvertips or Partitions just for comparison. Also try some shorter COAL's, sometimes they help. Sometimes 4350 works better a little hotter. Good luck.

Thanks Oldtrader3. I'll try out your recipe. My rifle did group pretty well at 57.6 grains, and I read your post too late to load up some 57.5 grain rounds.

For your OAL do you measure to the tip of any bullet you choose? As in, now that my groups are improving I'll start using Accubonds (my hunting bullet) to finish this process before hunting season. But the Accubonds are usually a little longer to the tip than the custom competitions. Or do you have a bullet comparator thing?

 

[velvetant]

When doing load development where you hit is irrelevant as long as your on paper. As you change loads it changes barrel harmonics and is very common to have a small shift in POI.
Go with what shoots best and adjust your sights.
That is one beautiful Remington.
Randy

 

[SJB358]

Holy smokes Joel. That rifle is Really shooting now! Great work. I would just seat your ABs using the same exact die setting as the CCs and see what you get. You can always tweak from there. Your rifle, scope and load combo make most of my safe irrelevant! Don't tell my wife but you truly have a do anything load and excellent accuracy. Seems like 57.5gr of 4350 should be stamped as a proven performer! Excellent shooting again. Scotty

 

[257 Ackley]

When doing load development where you hit is irrelevant as long as your on paper. As you change loads it changes barrel harmonics and is very common to have a small shift in POI.
Go with what shoots best and adjust your sights.
That is one beautiful Remington.
Randy

+1...use the load that groups the best, gives you the velocity you need and adjust the scope. Shoot one group of 57.6 grains before you make any adjustments. You may find that if your rifle was fairly fouled from shooting the lighter loads first, there will a change of impact with a clean barrel.

 

[6mm Remington]

Holy smokes Joel. That rifle is Really shooting now! Great work. I would just seat your ABs using the same exact die setting as the CCs and see what you get. You can always tweak from there. Your rifle, scope and load combo make most of my safe irrelevant! Don't tell my wife but you truly have a do anything load and excellent accuracy. Seems like 57.5gr of 4350 should be stamped as a proven performer! Excellent shooting again. Scotty

+1 to Scotty. Nice looking rifle and really good shooting. Leaving the die set for my load with the 165 gr. Partition is what I did when I used the 165 gr. AccuBond as the bullet should have the same jump to the lands Partition as it will be seating on the bullet in the same diameter location on the bullet. Yes it's with the AccuBond because of the tip, but they both shoot great and to the same point of impact.

When doing load development where you hit is irrelevant as long as your on paper. As you change loads it changes barrel harmonics and is very common to have a small shift in POI. Go with what shoots best and adjust your sights. That is one beautiful Remington.
Randy

Agree again with velvetant also! You have the nice groups with 57.6 grs, just use that and fine tune you sight adjustment to where you want THAT load to be zeroed for! You really can get some great groups from a bi-pod and a bag at the rear of the gun! Very nice! What Velocity are you getting?

 

[Guest]

Joel,
You right on track with that 57.6 load.

Don

 

[6mm Remington]

I have to tell you guys that Patrick McMannus would be darn proud of some of the ways you guys have came up with getting a gun past the "better half"! I was almost to tears I was laughing so hard reading some of this. I'm thinking now that maybe some of his idea were quite possibly some he had tried after all and that not all were fiction! I found it for us too!

The book is THE GRASSHOPPER TRAP, and the short story is just called GUNRUNNING! :grin: :mrgreen:

 

[Guest]

I laughed so much my wife thought something was wrong, had me in tears.

Don

 

[tddeangelo]

I have to tell you guys that Patrick McMannus would be darn proud of some of the ways you guys have came up with getting a gun past the "better half"! I was almost to tears I was laughing so hard reading some of this. I'm thinking now that maybe some of his idea were quite possibly some he had tried after all and that not all were fiction! I found it for us too!

The book is THE GRASSHOPPER TRAP, and the short story is just called GUNRUNNING! :grin: :mrgreen:

Now I'm going to have to reread that tonight.....

 

[ldg397]

When I first got married 10 years ago it was alot easier before the kids to make rifle purchases. I wanted something new and I would just tell her to load up we were going to the coach purse store to get whatever she wanted. She would just say oh you want a new gun and jump in the truck.

After the kiddo money isn't as free and easy. So I use the tried and true method of everytime I get a new gun I put it behind the seat in the truck for about a month. Then one day when she goes out I will get it out and take it apart and start cleaning it in the middle of the floor. When she walks in the door and sees me I get the "did you get a new gun?" That is when I come back with the honest, "No I have had this one awhile."

The key is to have enough and do enough buying and selling they can't keep track.

 

[SJB358]

When I first got married 10 years ago it was alot easier before the kids to make rifle purchases. I wanted something new and I would just tell her to load up we were going to the coach purse store to get whatever she wanted. She would just say oh you want a new gun and jump in the truck.

After the kiddo money isn't as free and easy. So I use the tried and true method of everytime I get a new gun I put it behind the seat in the truck for about a month. Then one day when she goes out I will get it out and take it apart and start cleaning it in the middle of the floor. When she walks in the door and sees me I get the "did you get a new gun?" That is when I come back with the honest, "No I have had this one awhile."

The key is to have enough and do enough buying and selling they can't keep track.

Man, I am glad I am not the only one. I don't feel too bad, cause I always see new shoes, purses, and clothes, and ask, "is that new".... To which she replies, nah, I have had this for awhile! Yeah, because it has been in the closet! Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

WE painted our bedroom a while back and had to take everything out which included her shoes. There were over 40 pairs of shoes, and numerous shirts and skirts that still had tags on them that had never been worn! :?: :|

You guys get this book and read that story and you will actually see that some of your ideas are pretty similar to some he describes in this story! :lol: I am dying to tell some of them but it would ruin it, you just have to buy the paperback book. Patrick McMannus "The Grasshopper Trap". Story- Gunrunning

 

[SJB358]

Man, I need a copy of that! Scotty