Which load should I go with?

[runtohunt]

Should I choose the load with the smallest group? Or should I choose the load with the two shots touching and the foul shot 1.5" out of center? The rifle is a Cooper model 56 in 7 STW. Looking forward to elk hunting in Co. this year with this new rifle.

 

[DrMike]

It doesn't look as if you will suffer terribly with either of those loads. I'd likely lean toward the H1000. Velocities are essentially identical, and the groups are not really that different, given the limited data presented. Either will likely serve you well. Will this be your first time using the LRX? I just loaded up some for another rifle this past week.

 

[runtohunt]

Dr. Mike,
Just received the LRX last week. I like the higher BC of the LRX--.486 for the 145 grain apposed to .412 for the 140 grain or .450 for the 150 grain. I have also thought about the 168 grain with a BC of .550, but I don't mind shooting the 145 grain bullet when there is close to 100% weight retention.

 

[DrMike]

All that I've seen of these bullets is positive. I really enjoy the advances in materials and technology that make a better product available to the shooter and hunter today. These look to be a promising development. I'll be interested in seeing how they work out for you.

 

[SJB358]

Those look great. I would reshoot them both. That is alot of horsepower out of a great rifle. Good luck can't wait to see more from it. Very nice. Show us a pic of the rifle. Those Coopers are pretty nice!

 

[joelkdouglas]

I agree, likely too small a sampling. But part of the beauty of this site is the posting and talking about the groups.

You could load up 10 of each and shoot two 5-shot groups. Or better yet, two 10-shot groups.

Don't worry, though. I once wondered if I should choose one load over another simply because it normally printed closer to the point of aim. Actually, I never figured that one out, and then I switched barrels.

Enjoy the shooting!

v/r
Jol

 

[runtohunt]

Sorry not the best pic of the rifle and the first pic is what the rifle is suppose to do--a three shot group at 100 yards with 130 grain Sierra Match Kings. Picked it up right after the first of the year. Going to go shoot again this Sat. I will try loading up 10 of each and see what happens. Should I clean after each 5 shoot group?
On a side note, I have been shooting off of a lead sled for load development. Not worried about recoil just the best way that I have found to be steady when shooting. What do you folks use to hold steady at the bench?

 

[JD338]

I would reshoot both loads and also the H1000 load with the bullet seated .005 and .010 deeper in the case.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I shoot off of sand bags my wife makes for me. I believe I get a more consistent sight picture with less fore end bounce when I use sand bags. Also, I do not hold the fore end of the rifle, keeping my left hand flat on the table.

 

[IdahoCTD]

Have you tried hotter loads or are those loads warm already? 3200fps seems a bit slow for a 145gr bullet. Most of the STW's I've had seemed to like loads on the warm to hot side. I would think your velocity should be in the 3350-3450fps range with a 145gr bullet as you can usually get 3200fps with 160 to 168gr bullets. You might also try 7828 powder if you haven't already. Many of my 7STW's have shot 7828 better than other powders with the lighter bullets.

 

[SJB358]

Same here, I shoot off bags. A small bag in the rear to adjust for elevation seems to help.

Very nice rifle. That is sharp!

 

[DrMike]

I adjust the bags and not the rifle. Moving sand is more certain than moving the rifle.

 

[1Shot]

I would do my shooting off of something beside the lead sled. I have found that the sled messes with the harmonics of recoil and rifles DO NOT shoot the same when taken out of the sled. Most shoot better out of the sled off a front rest and rear sand bag for me. Always shoot for groups after firing a fouling shot or two. TAKE YOUR TIME. Let the barrel cool a while between shots. ALWAYS HUNT WITH A FOULED BARREL. That first shot out of a clean barrel will not be where you sighted in that rifle unless you cleaned between each shot when sighting in. I have always seen that people can do more harm to a weapon cleaning it too much and improperly than ever by shooting it. If I had a rifle that need cleaning between 5 shot groups to shoot well it would be going down the road to a new home. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Guest]

I've been shooting off sand bags for years. I'm about to try a Caldwell "The Rock" front rest with sandbags at the buttstock, as my wife and kids got me that rest for Christmas. I keep hoping I'll get out one morning early to shoot, but so far, work and life have belayed that...but I keep trying. Maybe after I get back from a week long meeting in Chicago next week I'll sneak away early morning Monday or Tuesday the following week.

I don't care for the sleds and vise-style shooting platforms. As has been said, they can have a dramatic effect on the harmonics and thus both the accuracy and shooter-in-the-field-repeatability of the rifle and load. Once you verify a load, I'd skip the bags altogether and start into shooting off sticks or prone or other field positions. Perfect (realistic) practice makes perfect execution in the field.

 

[joelkdouglas]

I've been shooting off sand bags for years. I'm about to try a Caldwell "The Rock" front rest with sandbags at the buttstock, as my wife and kids got me that rest for Christmas. I keep hoping I'll get out one morning early to shoot, but so far, work and life have belayed that...but I keep trying. Maybe after I get back from a week long meeting in Chicago next week I'll sneak away early morning Monday or Tuesday the following week.

I don't care for the sleds and vise-style shooting platforms. As has been said, they can have a dramatic effect on the harmonics and thus both the accuracy and shooter-in-the-field-repeatability of the rifle and load. Once you verify a load, I'd skip the bags altogether and start into shooting off sticks or prone or other field positions. Perfect (realistic) practice makes perfect execution in the field.

I also have been using "The Rock" and a rear bag for about a year now. I've liked the setup, and for me it's the most comfortable rest I've found. I keep the front base pretty much all the way down, and adjust height using the rear bag.

 

[runtohunt]

Thanks guys for the input. I bought a couple of sand bag rests this am and hope to use them this Sat. at the range. The two loads that I posted are two grains below the load that showed ejector marks on the brass.

I have only used the lead sled to develop loads or verify zero. The rest of the time I shoot off of tripod sticks made by Moss Back either in a sitting, kneeling, or standing position from 100 out to 450 yards. I have 10" steel plates on 4' long poles about every 100 yards or so. I love hearing the smack of the metal!!

 

[DrMike]

Ah, yes. The "clang" of metal on steel is most gratifying.

 

[runtohunt]

Made it back to the range today. Stopped using the lead sled and I am trying to get the sand bag thing down. I think that I have a fairly decent load for the 7 STW. I was trying to decide upon H1000 at 83 grains or RL 22 at 77 grains. Shot two groups of 5 for each powder and the H1000 is the choice. I did not clean the rifle between groups and was surprised that the rifle still grouped so well. All-in-all very happy. I am fairly sure that the outlying shots were me and not the rifle. Thank you for all the imput thus far!

 

[DrMike]

H1000 has worked quite well for me in the 7STW, so I'm not terribly surprised by your results. Good load you are showing there.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have been using an earlier version of the Caldwell rest for a few years now and have found that it pretty closely puts shots into the same group as shooting from a sitting position without the rest. This has given me the flexibility to not worry about much zero shift from using the rest to shooting without it which I appreciate.