STW Range results.

[jmad_81]

Well, Harvest is finally over (at least until corn starts)! I have been doing a little load working with my STW over the last month or two trying to get it to do "what it should". I have been having a real hard time being satisfied with the 160 AB in that gun for some reason. But I finally found a load that wasn't two in the same hole and ove .75" out. Also in my random testing, I played with a few 168 VLD bullets.

They seemed to shoot way worse than the 160 ABs did at first. But I was able to get a few respectable groups. Now that harvest is over I'm headed to the hills tonight to try to tag me a bear. So I took my best AB load so far, and my best VLD load so far and headed to the range. The winner was going bear hunting with me.

I set up the chrony, but the sun was a bit to far gone for it to work. So I have now speeds from lastnight. I shortened my best VLD load by .003" as the group that I was working off of was 2;1.
Here is the group that I started with
View attachment 2012-08-09_21-37-15_709.jpg

Here is teh group that I ended up with lastnight. It is the best group I have shot out of this rifle yet. It measures .205". The load is about max in my gun, 80 gr RL-25, 215M, RP brass, and 3.647". The best part is it fits in my mag, and shoots really well! As long as it is over 3100, I don't really care how fast it is going.
View attachment 2012-08-09_19-58-11_102.jpg

I didn't end up shooting my 160 AB load lastnight, I was so happy with the VLD group, and odds are the 160 AB group would not have been twice that good.

 

[DrMike]

I'd say that load shoots very well indeed!. Fine shooting, Jake.

 

[sask boy]

Jake I believe those VLDs will work just fine. Good luck on tagging that bear, remember photos and a good story is a bonus.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[FOTIS]

Great shooting man!

 

[jmad_81]

Well, it looks like the 338 wm will get to make the trip. Upon further range time, this load is not safe! Not sure ehat changed overnight but it is way to hot. Lots a primer this morning and very sticky bolt lift.

Pretty frustrated right now :x

So I'll be playing with some H1000 over the next few weeks.

 

[JD338]

And I was just about to comment on such a great load! Well, back to the loading bench.
H1000 is listed as the most accurate powder. What about magnum and Retumbo?

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

I have not tried Magnum yet. Retumbo seems to do just ok. H1000 seemed more accurate in the initial testing.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Man that's frustrating. That looked pretty promising. You could always take your 280AI!

 

[OU812]

That really bits because that is quite the group. I'm guessing all components where of the same lot# as day before? Were today's rounds left over from the evening before? Is this load compressed? If so is it compressed enough that the COL might have grown over night?


Bill

 

[sask boy]

Jake I am sorry to hear about that. I am sure you will get it figured out. The 338 win mag is not a bad back up though

Blessings,
Dan

 

[jmad_81]

That really bits because that is quite the group. I'm guessing all components where of the same lot# as day before? Were today's rounds left over from the evening before? Is this load compressed? If so is it compressed enough that the COL might have grown over night?


Bill

Yep, same lot of powder same lot of bullets everything. Brass has been fired the same amount of times as well. The first three shots didn't shot pressure this morning (just like lastnight), but after things got warmed up, I had issues. I waited for several minutes between shots this morning as well, so I don't think I more than a grain to high. We'll see. I'll give H1000 an honest shot with both the VLD, and the 160 AB and quit tring to push it to hard. I could live with groups under .5" and above 3100.

The load is not compressed at all.

 

[jmad_81]

Man that's frustrating. That looked pretty promising. You could always take your 280AI!

I used the 280 AI last fall, so I'm trying to spread the love a bit. The 338 WM hasn't taken a bear for about ten years, so I need to remind it how before it forgets!

 

[jmad_81]

View attachment IMG-20110910-00152.jpg
this was the handy work if the 280AI. The load I worked up for the 140AB last week would surely work if needed. This one was taken with 120 BTs doing 3050 fps @ 388 yards.

 

[SJB358]

Man Jake, sorry to hear of your struggles. Wouldn't seem like it should be pushing it too hard to get a 160 up into the 3100's outta that rifle. Hope you have some luck with it. At least you know your 338WM is good to go. Not too many bears are going to slow it down! Good luck buddy.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I'd try 7828 also Jake if you have some. Almost every 7STW I've ever shot has either liked 7828 or H-1000.

 

[OU812]

It's better safe than sorry. I'm sure you will find another powder that will get what you want done.

Bill

 

[Ridge_Runner]

I only shoot double based powders in my STW and other big jugs in cool wether, the nitroglycerine in them makes them temp. sensative.
BTW H-1000 is the powder for all around STW use.
RR

 

[Danny1788]

I have been using 78.0gr of RL22 with rem brass and the 168gr hunting VLD's with fed 215GM primers, necks are skimmed with a neck turner to get equal neck thickness, seated way out there becuase I have a wyatts box installed in mine. My ave is 3255 FPS and depending on heat 17 ES but can be as high as 34 ES when its really hot out. I think the COAL is 3.775" but i will have to double check that thats seated just to touch the lands not jammed in. I started out with a load of 82.0gr of H-1000 that shot pretty good as well but was only 3140FPS and pretty high ES not as good as the RL22 load. Let us know what you come up with, I have been thinking about switching to the 180gr VLDs with a load of IMR7828 but havent gotten around to it yet.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

That's to bad Jake, I know you were pretty stoked that night.

I'm sure you'll get her figured soon enough however.

Might just have to see what some 7828 or RL22 does? Bout only 2 powders left haven't tried.

 

[SJB358]

Man Jake, I hope you are able to get that rifle shooting. Be cool to see what it does to the elk this Fall.

RL22 is a favorite of mine for alot of similar cartridges. Hard to beat when it fits.