So Disappointing :( My Rifle Just does not Like Them

[bullet]

I told you all that I was trying the North Fork 165gr SS Well here is the letter I wrote to North Fork after this mornings range session.

Franz, I have developed over the last 13 months ten loads using Sierra, Barnes, Nosler, Hawk and Hornady, and all ten loads are under an inch with my 300Win Mag. Here is a link for you to see my spread sheet that demonstrates the accuracy of my 300Win Mag, my load ability along with my ability to shoot well, as you have seen a target or two of mine as evidence of accuracy. When you get to this link please scroll down to the bottom of the article and see the spread sheet before you read my following comments.
http://ammoguide.com/?article=mhsp68/reloading4v

Last night I finalized my load work with the load data you gave me and with MRP and RL-22. I weighed each bullet and used only those that weighed the same, 165.2grs. I weighed my brass, did all my brass prep, and weighed each charge to make sure that everything was the same. I went to the range early this morning and used your specific load data and OAL that you sent me for the 165gr SS. I used your data with RL-25 and it only registered 3133fps, and also MRP max load registering 3218fps, and RL-22 max load registering 3161fps. I was very disappointed in the velocities because I was driving with these same loads the 165gr Sierra at 3236fps (with MRP) which is faster than I was able to drive the 165gr SS.

Now that was disappointing enough, but the accuracy was totally unacceptable. My best group all morning was with RL-22 and it measured minus bore 2 1/2". With RL-25 (the load data you gave me) I had a 3 1/4" group minus bore. I am sorry but my rifle does not like the North Fork bullet, I can't use this bullet with this kind of accuracy. I really wanted the 165gr SS to shoot well and the only other option I have is to use IMR4350 which is the powder I use for my accurate load which I sent you a target of the other day, but I am not encouraged by that, because the Sierra bullet I used in my accurate load shot 1 1/2" with the same above loads of MRP and RL-22. Franz, I don't know what else to say??? It does give me pause as I wonder whether are not to spend the money and try the 200gr SS in my 358Win. Wished this had turned out better and that my rifle liked the 165gr SS. Yours truly, Mike

 

[SJB358]

Thats too bad Mike. I guess there are some bullets a rifle just doesn't like. Do the NF's need to be seated deeper like a mono bullet? Just wondering, I know how thorough you are, and probably already tried it, just wondering. Those are some super nice looking bullets. Gives me some pause to try them looking at this though. Scotty

 

[bullet]

Thats too bad Mike. I guess there are some bullets a rifle just doesn't like. Do the NF's need to be seated deeper like a mono bullet? Just wondering, I know how thorough you are, and probably already tried it, just wondering. Those are some super nice looking bullets. Gives me some pause to try them looking at this though. Scotty

I seated them deeper than most bullets and this was at North Forks recommendations. I followed their load data to the "T"

 

[SJB358]

I figured as much Mike. I was throwing it out there, but knew you probably already covered it. Besides, I don't see their 165 doing much a NPT won't do as well anyhow. Other than drain your wallet a little faster. Scotty

 

[bullet]

Well, Scotty, it is not like I don't try and don't know, because I do know by trying so many different bullets how they generally shoot and most bullets I have loaded and had good loads, I hunted with them and know from that experience which ones work best on what and why. Most speak out of theory instead of empirical evidence about how a bullet will shoot and how they are on terminal results. I wish the North Forks would have shot better, because if they had, it would have been another bullet that I would have experienced how they work on game. The Partition is hard to beat, and it has worked for me in the past, and will again when I use it.

 

[Scott Spencer]

Thank you for the follow up report, Mike. I had high hopes for the 165 gr bullets in your 300WM as well. I still my buy 25 of the .338 bullets just to see what they will do in my 338-06. I just had the trigger lightened to 3 lbs (that is low as the gunsmith would go for me, citing liability issues) from Ruger's factory 5-7 lbs. I also had the lap my scope rings and remount/boresight my scope.

I'll have to wait until it gets a little cooler before I do any shooting.

Scott

 

[SJB358]

Well, Scotty, it is not like I don't try and don't know, because I do know by trying so many different bullets how they generally shoot and most bullets I have loaded and had good loads, I hunted with them and know from that experience which ones work best on what and why. Most speak out of theory instead of empirical evidence about how a bullet will shoot and how they are on terminal results. I wish the North Forks would have shot better, because if they had, it would have been another bullet that I would have experienced how they work on game. The Partition is hard to beat, and it has worked for me in the past, and will again when I use it.

Couldn't agree more Mike. If they are that hard to tune, I don't wanna mess with em either. Not when I Know I can get hunting grade accuracy or much better out of PT's or AB's. Scotty

 

[bullet]

I am in communications with North Fork today and we are going over the lot and also going over specs. I went today to try my IMR4350 load that has worked for every other 165gr bullet I have tried and here are the results, just like yesterdays.

Here is my sight in of my 358Win Hawkeye deer load using the Sierra SBT to show I was shooting good today. Note two bullets went through the right hole.

 

[atmoshpere]

Good luck to you! You could be doing them a big favor if they uncover an abberation in some stage of the process that led to a bad batch or something and they can get it fixed or recalled in time. I wouldn't think that they could afford to have a reputation based on that kind of performance.

 

[FOTIS]

That is too bad. I really like the concept of the NF and Mike Brady is a great guy. The only reason I have not used them is due to the semi spitzer design. I can not get past the low BC's

 

[bullet]

That is too bad. I really like the concept of the NF and Mike Brady is a great guy. The only reason I have not used them is due to the semi spitzer design. I can not get past the low BC's

They are sending me a small pack of 180gr SS for me to try in my 300Win mag and a small pack of 200gr for me to try in my 358Win. I will know for sure by next week if I will ever hunt with a NF. They request that I send them a bunch of my targets to show how the Savage 116FHSS has grouped hunting bullets from 130gr to 220 gr and that really through them for a loop, because they new it was not the rifle and they don't know why the bad groups. We will see and I will make sure you guys know the results.

 

[FOTIS]

Mike Brady had mentioned to me that he was working on a Ballistic tip version of the NF before they underwent the restructuring of the company. I guess that plan went south.

 

[bullet]

Mike Brady had mentioned to me that he was working on a Ballistic tip version of the NF before they underwent the restructuring of the company. I guess that plan went south.

I am going to make a radical move on seating my bullet and seat it the length of my mag and work back to the seating depth they gave me which was a pretty good jump. We will see.

 

[Greg Nolan]

That sounds like a good plan. Every throat is different and maybe getting closer to the lands is the answer. It has worked for me a couple of times and happily surprised me.
Good luck.
Greg

 

[FOTIS]

Good Luck Mike.... not that you do not have enough loads for that thing already! :mrgreen:

 

[bullet]

Good Luck Mike.... not that you do not have enough loads for that thing already! :mrgreen:

YOU TROUBLE MAKER YOU!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: