Trip #2 with the Rugers

wisconsinteacher

wisconsinteacher

Handloader
Dec 2, 2010
1,980
293
Well I shot my 30-06 and 22-250 again yesterday and here are the results.

Last time with 22-250:
34.5gr=.538
35gr=1.322
35.5gr=.733

I made up 3 of the same loads and got this yesterday:
34.5gr=1.741
35gr=.502
35.5gr=2.002

So my average is (34.5=1.139) (35=.912) (35.5=1.368)
I plan on making up 5 more of each and retesting.

30-06 165AB with H4350
The 30-06 rounds had to be set back a little after last time due to the mag box.
.010 off the lands (57.5=1.453) (58=1.551) Too long OAL
.024" off the lands (57.5=2.758) (58=1.451)
.034 off the lands (57.5=1.681) (58=2.121)

From here I don't know where to go. I don't think I can get the 06 to 1" or under. I am also wondering if it is the shooter. I really focused on a solid rest and making sure I did not pull the shots. The 22-250 is getting close and I am not worried about getting it better, but I would like to get the 30-06 shooting better. What can you take from this info, and what would you try doing to get better groups? Also, I have not cleaned the rifles from yesterday, I am wondering if I should not clean them and see if they like being fouled a little bit. Thanks
 
Personally, I like to change only one variable at a time.
I choose a powder know for accuracy and velocity in the given cartridge.
Then I test to see what charge weight the rifle prefers.
Then I play with different seating depths to fine tune the load.

I usually shoot 4 or 5 shots. 3 shot groups will sometimes leave me hangin.....

Give them both a good scrubbing, and get back to shootin.

stick with the .024 loads for now until you find a good repeatable 1.5" load, then seat the bullet deeper .010 at a time to try and tighten it up.
 
I agree with Chet. I can't keep track of multiple events during a range session, too many variables. Seems like 57.5 is shooting well for you. This last time out it looked like .024" off looked good, so I would reshoot those while concentrating on your bench technique. I think you are pretty close with them. Like Chet said, give it a super scrubbing and have at it again. Maybe take 3 sets of 3. That would give you a better average and less shots per group to think about messing up. Scotty
 
I understand what you are saying about changing things up, but the only thing I changed with the 30-06 from the last time shooting was the seating depth or am I missing something? The .024 off the lands is the best so far and I learned from the first time out the the best groups came from 57.5 and 58 grains of powder. I like the idea of 3 groups of 3. When you guys shoot a gun that was just cleaned, do you take 2 shots just to foul the barrel, then shoot, reclean, foul, and shoot for groups? Also, how do you deal with the barrel temp rising during a shooting session? Yesterday it was 80 and sunny so there was no real way to cool the barrel down other than waiting a long time.
 
If the 30/06 is not bedded it made a huge difference in my 77 MKII Ruger.


I always put a fouler or two down the barrel after cleaning one.

Have you tried any other powder/bullet combos? Maybe it doesn't like H4350, mine simply hates imr4350 with 165s or 180s.
 
unfortunatly, it's hot this time of year..... not alot you can do about it.

If the first shot flies out of the group, I pay no attention to it as there may have been oil in the clean barrel.... that said, most of my rifles do not require a foul shot.
 
If you are shooting 3 groups of 3, I would just fire the 3 shot group, as is. I like to see what a squeaky clean barrel does as well. I like to know if the rifle will shoot clean, or it needs a fouler.

Also, a really trying to give the barrel some time between shots. Especially if it isn't bedded like Heath mentioned. Without being bedded and floated, it will probably start throwing shots as the barrel/wood gets warm. Scotty
 
The rifle is free floated. I can run dollar bill the entire length of the barrel. Yesterday, I would shoot 3 shots then places the rifle to the side of the bench with the case over it to shade it then shoot my .22. I know the barrel did cool down some between shots. I also ran a bore snake down the barrel between test groups. I have some IMR 4064, Win 760, Varget, and H335 on hand. Do any of those sound like they are worth trying?
 
Here is the story of my Ruger 30/06 shortened for readings sake:

This is all with stuff it likes

Factory rifle - Boat paddle stock - 2 MOA at best
Free float - 1.5-2 MOA
Full Length Bed - 2 MOa
Restock with a Hawkeye Stock - 2 MOA
Free Float - 1.5 MOA
Bed lug/action/tang - .6 - .7 MOA

All this was with various handloads of 150-165-180grs and a couple different powders.


If it were me I would bed it, it's easy to do. I was scared to death the first one I did, now I want to bed everything I own.

My best groups with both my Savage and my Ruger are:

WW Brass
H4831 - 59grs
180NBT
CCI200

2737fps from my Savage and I have 3 pieces of test brass with about 15-16 reloads on them, it runs .5 on a good day. I have 5 3 shot groups and none are over .7 from the Savage. Only 2 3 shot groups from the Ruger, .639" and .711"
 
WT

Of the powders listed, give W 760 a try. Remember to start low and work up.

JD338
 
I think Heath is onto something. With a little do it yourself work bedding the lug and tang, I would bet you would bring your groups in some. Seems like IMR4350 is doing well as well, so I wouldn't give up on it. Seems like too many people are getting excellent accuracy out of it to change. It is really cheap to bed it yourself. You will only be out 30.00 for some Acra Gel and a few hours of your time. Scotty
 
Is there a kit or site that has the steps of how to bed that you recommend? I don't know if I should do that, or keep trying different loads.
 
I forgot to mention that I have some BL-C 2 also. I think that I am going to look into bedding the rifle next.
 
Without a doubt. If your trigger is heavy or creepy I would expect big gains in your group sizes. Really turns alot of rifles around. Heavy triggers are hard to shoot well and consistently. Scotty
 
give the 4064 a go, also what do your groups look like? just a flyer? or scattered out? I tried 57 different loads n my savage 99 7-08 before I found a keeper.
RR
 
beretzs":vxfkpdez said:
Without a doubt. If your trigger is heavy or creepy I would expect big gains in your group sizes. Really turns alot of rifles around. Heavy triggers are hard to shoot well and consistently. Scotty
Click to expand...


Trigger job is a must, mine was around 7.5lbs on my Rugers. I think there are good destructions online about how to do a trigger job on a Ruger.
 
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