To Tweak or Not to Tweak

[onesonek]

No Not drugs, but I think I should have left the coffee alone that morning :lol: More about that another time,,,,,
I had this Encore barrel built in a 6.5x57 AI-R (rimmed), with a Pac-Nor (Super-Match) blank 1-10" Polygonal twist by OTT.

Bipod was on for photo only, as I hunt/shoot off of x-stix

I started with H4831SC and Nolser 125gr. PT's. I got to 48 grs velocity was what I had hoped of 2650+ fps but showing pressure signs, load density was low, and accuracy wasn't the best at 1.5moa @100yds..
Switching to RL-22 I started 47grs. and worked up to 50. 50 proved to be the most accurate shooting .321" @100 and 2840 fps, but pressures were max.
This pic is 48.5 grs.(next best group)

I think it will shoot better, but I was fighting a stiff breeze, and the coffee :wink:
49 and 49.5 grains were terrible goups, and really shouldn't have been,,,,But I will blame the wind and coffee again :lol: .
If it was a target gun, I might switch ot RL-25 to bring up the load density and hope for 2850 fps, no pressure signs and sub 1/4 moa groups,,,But.
For all intents and purposes of a hunting rig for deer, a 1/2 moa load that will point blank on a 5" target at 255+ yds, like the 48.5 RL-22 does and still be on "the hair" at 325 yds and have 1280+ ft/lbs remaining, I'm not sure much tweaking is in order. Think I'll load up another 20 rnds of 48.5 grainers, and add 9 clicks of elevation, and go shoot them at 225 yds and see what that looks like. Personally I won't shoot/hunt much beyond PBR, unless conditions are near perfect anyhow.

Dave

 

[1Shot]

I would try some AA or IMR 4350. It has always shot very well in my 6.5X55 rifles. I would also go to the 120 Ballistic Tip. I have always got much better accuracy out of the Ballistic Tip than the Partitions and I have killed a good number of deer with the ballistic tip and it is awesome. The Sierra 120 also works very well on deer.

 

[onesonek]

I know what you are saying about BT's accuracy 1shot,, and thnks for your thoughts!,,,,Just if I went another route other than the 125 gr. PT, it would be heavier with the 130 AB. With lighter caliber than 30, I tend to prefer heavier bullets for caliber. Such as 150 7mm, and so on. Not that its necessary, just like the added insurance of deeper penetration if needed.
Dave

 

[JD338]

onesonek

Nice rig and a sweet shooter!
Nothing wrong with the 125 gr PT.

I shoot the 120 gr BT out of my 6.5 JDJ at 2400+ fps with excellent accuracy. I need to give the 125 gr PT a try.

JD338

 

[onesonek]

Thanks JD!,,,,,,,,,,,,,, oh and I did take that 4x leupy off and was using a 2-6x Bushnell Elite. Forgot to make note of that in the first post

 

[1Shot]

The 130 AB is a good bullet but you may run into problems with your 10 twist barrel not stabilizing it. I know it is all hind sight but if you wanted to shoot heavy bullets you should have got an 8 twist. At the velocity you can get out or your barrel the 120 ballistic tip is about perfect for deer size game.

 

[onesonek]

The 130 AB is a good bullet but you may run into problems with your 10 twist barrel not stabilizing it. I know it is all hind sight but if you wanted to shoot heavy bullets you should have got an 8 twist. At the velocity you can get out or your barrel the 120 ballistic tip is about perfect for deer size game.

I know what your saying there also 1shot. But here again had I really wanted to go that route I would have ordered a faster blank. I had it made primarily to shoot the 125 PT's, although when I mentioned the possibilities of the 130 gr. AB,,,,, Pac-Nor said it would handle them. I really don't need to find out as the PT looks good so far and will do what I intended.

Dave