Sask Boy's Range Day 2012 07 23

[DrMike]

Dan managed to get to the range today. He wanted to share his first efforts with the 35 Whelen. This is what the rifle is doing with 225 grain ABs powered by 60 grains of RL15. Velocities weren't as high as he wanted.

He also shot his 270 Win, topped with a new VX6. This is the first five shots with the new scope.

Dan will be along shortly to give you the full report of what he has done.

Dan, the velocities on the Whelen don't look all that bad from back here!

 

[SJB358]

Nope, same here, your speeds look right on track with what I was getting Dan. I did bump up .5 till I hit 61, but at 61 grains I am running right in the 2730 range and the groups tightened up as well.

Looks like a great day on the range. Glad you were able to get out and get some shooting in. I would imagine it'll speed up a little too as you continue sorting the barrel out.

It does look pretty good Dan. I can't imagine you having much trouble finding a load. shots 3, 4, and 5 look pretty danged good!

How long is the magazine in the RMR? Not that it matters, but the CDL allows me to seat out a little extra and still have a healthy jump into the rifling. Seems to work well for me, as I get 61 grains into the case at just above the bottom of the neck, with very slight compression.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Dan,

Sure is nice being able to shoot! Good work. You will have her dialed in soon!

Scotty,

Sure is nice to be able to seat them way out there. That's one reason I did my 280AI like I did had the magazine room might as well use it right?

 

[sask boy]

Thanks guys for the encouraging words. I was playing with the Chrony for the first time as well so I was preoccupouppied with a old guy trying to learn electronics :shock:.
I never even checked COAL in regard to the clip as I feed it single shot during load work up. I set them @ 3.450 as recommended by Scotty
I am going to load up some more @ 60grs. & then try some @ 60.5grs.
I am also in the process of manufacturing some different shooting bags.
I am going to ask a friend for deminsions on denim coloured prototypes :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guy Miner]

Looks good to me! That's a well constructed .35 cal 225 gr bullet at well over 2600 fps, knocking at the door of 2700 fps. Powerful load that should suffice for anything you care to shoot here in North America.

I'm impressed by the results you Whelen Nuts are getting through your judicious handloading.

For sake of comparison, my .375 H&H load is a 260 gr AccuBond at a mere 2620 fps... It was quite sufficient at 300 yards on game, and not a whole lot heavier hit than what you're producing with the Whelen! Very cool. I think Sask Boy, Scotty and the other Whelen Nuts are really onto something here.

Nice shooting too. Guy

 

[DrMike]

It would appear that your rifle is performing quite well. As an aside, I'm impressed by the fact that TNT (situated on the prairies) decorates their targets with a sheep, and Corlanes (situated in the foothills of the Rockies) decorates their targets (manufactured by the same concern) with an elk. :grin:

 

[SJB358]

Looks good to me! That's a well constructed .35 cal 225 gr bullet at well over 2600 fps, knocking at the door of 2700 fps. Powerful load that should suffice for anything you care to shoot here in North America.

I'm impressed by the results you Whelen Nuts are getting through your judicious handloading.

For sake of comparison, my .375 H&H load is a 260 gr AccuBond at a mere 2620 fps... It was quite sufficient at 300 yards on game, and not a whole lot heavier hit than what you're producing with the Whelen! Very cool. I think Sask Boy, Scotty and the other Whelen Nuts are really onto something here.

Nice shooting too. Guy

Your right, the Whelen has the ability to run the 250 PT's at 2600 pretty easily. I have done pretty well with RL15 and the 250 PT. Really accurate and man, it has to carry the mail for a long way.

 

[PJGunner]

Those speeds look about right. I get 2710 FPS with 60.4 gr. of RL15 and the 225 gr. Barnes TSX, I'm thinking that the harder TSX bullet probably kicks the pressure up a bit accounting for the slightly higher velocity or possibly the 24" barrel. :?: No matter, either load should handle any animal on North America and most critters world wide. 8)
Paul B.

 

[usmc 89]

The 270 looks great minimal vertical stringing that's awesome. the whelen had a little but bumping up your load may cure that looking good.

 

[sask boy]

Yes, should not whine about 50fps. Next time out I am going to concerntrate on grouping
You can tell the difference between factory loads & 60grs of reloader 15 :wink:
We have a new toy @ the range a steel gong the Whelen definitely makes it sing a different note :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[bullet]

Dan, velocities look good and the targets show real good potential. I like the five shot group with the 6x scope. I love my FX II Leupold 6Gx36mm fixed scope on my 8mm RM and my Weaver fixed 6x scope on my Nosler M48 TGR 7mm08 and I see you shoot good with 6x. Glad you got a chronograph, it will make a big difference in your load work. Looks like it was a good all around day indeed.

 

[onesonek]

All in all Dan, it looks pretty good. I would also say that you could bump it up some, while the velocity as is,,, is respectable. RL-15 is one of my favorite powders, and I have found RL-15 tends to like some pressure. Meaning most often, I see the velocity spread tighten up, when you push things a bit. Not also meaning one has to blow primer pockets to do so however.
But it looks like once you and or the rifle settled in,,,rounds 3-4-5 would suffice nicely!!!
Was that Whelen group shot from a clean bore?

Oh,,,the .270 group looks pretty good too!

 

[sask boy]

Yes, I am cleaning the new barrel every 3 shots. So 3,4,&5 were from a clean bore.
Bullet, the scope is a VX-6 but is a variable with a 42mm objective.
Yes, my cousin shot the new girl and he could believe how smooth she was for a new rifle. He also shot my CDL and could not believe the difference a trigger job could do to a rifle.
I am going to play with the RMR as she has loads of potential. Once I have the 225gr AB figured out then I am going to make the 200gr AB sing as well :wink:
PS. Mike my cousin was also amazed on how I cleaned the rifles. He couldn't believe the carbon after a wet cloth & 2 dry then a wet brush 12 strokes and then 2 dry and then a wet. He stated he would have bet that it would have been clean after the wet cloth seeing we only shot 3 bullets.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[onesonek]

"Yes, I am cleaning the new barrel every 3 shots. So 3,4,&5 were from a clean bore."
Oh, ok.
I wouldn't do alot of messing around with adjusting test loads, until you are done with your break-in period. That's just my personal thoughts,,,,however.

 

[sask boy]

Dave, we placed 15 shots down the tube last yesterday so I think that she is almost broke in.
Mike if you read this I think there is over 30 shots now, I was wondering if I can go to a cleaning after every 5 shots now?

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

Dan,

I normally only do break-in until I witness consistency in the groups. With your PacNor barrel, I would think that you'll be fine with five shot groups. Actually, if you avoid shooting it hot, you can likely give it more rounds still. I personally like five shot groups, bit a lot of people go a whole lot more.

 

[sask boy]

Mike, I agree with the 5 shot grouping as well. I did not let the barrel get hot last night so when I get out there again I will pick it up to 5 but will distance them to keep the barrel cool
I normally clean my other rifles after 5 shots but that was before I was taught the proper way to clean :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[onesonek]

Dave, we placed 15 shots down the tube last yesterday so I think that she is almost broke in.
Mike if you read this I think there is over 30 shots now, I was wondering if I can go to a cleaning after every 5 shots now?

Blessings,
Dan

I would say so,,,,,,
Honestly, in the 3 Pac-Nor's I have, (had a 4th, but sold due to overlapping calibers),I haven't followed any set "break-in", and no issues with these lapped barrels. However, when I do clean, and that is when accuracy falls off, I shoot 2-3 fouling shots before test group rounds. Not that 3 is always necessary,,,just insurance. With all that said, I don't have one Pac-Nor that shoots over 1/2 moa, with good loads doing much better. But that isn't so much my point, in beating around the bush there,,,,,
All of them shoot well over 100 rounds before accuracy falls off to the level I feel the need to clean.
Just saying right wrong or indifferernt,,,looks like #1 shot is typical of a clean bore fouling shot, that I see on occasion. #2, I'm guessing was pulled somewhat. and 3,4,and 5 look like you are about there with a good load. But as noted earlier, and with your thoughts,,,,I would bump that up a bit at 60.5 grs, then I would also load 5 at 61 grs. and see what the added pressure does.

Best Regards

 

[sask boy]

Thanks guys for the advice I am always willing to try and get things done right
Will be back in the room later tonight I think. I have about 15 misfires to pull the bullets from, these are still from the original problem. I guess I will have to get the used primers out as well then I am going to load up some more. For the few bullets I am loading I use a trickle charger right now and then I will attempt to use the electronic scale and do up a 100 or so that should do me for this fall :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Guest]

Dan,
Everything looks good there buddy, nice shooting too. The Whelen is right in line. I get 2677 fps from the 225 AB in my Whelen using 59.5 RL-15 & CCI 200 primers. My gun is a REM 700 Classic 22" barrel. It's just flattens Deer. :mrgreen: Good luck with your load work up.

Don