Why reloading is satisfying (sometimes)

[clearwater]

Three different loads tried. Same day, same gun. 7mm Mauser Improved.
reloder 17 Speer 130 Hot Core Max Load

Remington 125 grain, Reloder 19 Max load

and the satisfying one, Nosler 140 g Partition and Varget, 7 shots ladder from 38 grains to 41 grains.

 

[Joec7651]

Groups like that are certainly satisfying. Great work on the loads and great marksmanship. Do you have any photos of the rifle?

 

[DrMike]

Yes, I believe you are onto something that'll put a grin on your chin.

 

[NYDAN]

Yep. I can see why that would be satisfying. Looks like your load development is done.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I've read that we shouldn't pay attention to the ladder test group but that one is hard to ignore. Waiting to see how the induvial loads groups.
Dan.

 

[Guy Miner]

Congrats! I think your rifle really likes that 140 grain Nosler Partition.

And some silly folks think Partitions can't shoot well...

Guy

 

[flyingagg]

Congrats! I think your rifle really likes that 140 grain Nosler Partition.

And some silly folks think Partitions can't shoot well...

Guy

Real silly folks. I shoot PT and AB same powder, same load, pretty much same grouping

 

[Hunter26]

Talk about a nice group and consistency with that powder and bullet! Almost looks like it was shot from a different gun. That'll be a very versatile load once you pick a powder charge. Not much a 140gr Partition can't do.

What kind of velocity are you getting and barrel length?

 

[TackDriver284]

It's satisfying to see it all come together, good job.

 

[clearwater]

Talk about a nice group and consistency with that powder and bullet! Almost looks like it was shot from a different gun. That'll be a very versatile load once you pick a powder charge. Not much a 140gr Partition can't do.

What kind of velocity are you getting and barrel length?

22" barrel. 41 grains at 2495 fps. Looks like I can increase the powder charge and try some more. The bullets are 50 years old. I may have to buy another box.

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

I bet you can’t buy them at the same price

Great shooting too, don’t see many 7mm Mauser improved cartridges getting around. I’d be interested to know more about it.

 

[clearwater]

A rifle my Grandad made for my mom from things he had lying about. It is a Remington Model 722 that had been a 222. My Grandad rebored it and rechambered to 7x57, a popular "girl's gun" at the time.

Since it has chamber length limitations he use the improved chamber to make up for the shorter OAL. Some of the brass he made for her was 06 brass shortened, sized and fire formed. I am sure if he was around today it would be a 7mm-08 or a 6.5 Creed.

Pretty stock with swirls in the wood grain. Wears an old 4 power weaver scope that has a screw on piece to make it a 6 power. I remember her taking a deer near Jordan, Montana and a problem bear at the Lolo ranger station in Idaho.

I used it for pig hunting on a vineyard in California. 175 grain Herter's round nosed that shot well under an inch. Velocity was about 2100 fps. Would like to get my wife out hunting with it.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Would you mind posting a picture of your rifle. Sounds interesting.

 

[300WSM]

Yes, I believe you are onto something that'll put a grin on your chin.

I agree with the good Dr!

 

[300WSM]

Yep. I can see why that would be satisfying. Looks like your load development is done.

HA!!!
Come on now...
Are we ever really "done" ?

Until I can put 5 shots into a hole the size of .308 thousandths in diameter with a group size of zero....
I am never done.
I might pause for a time or two when I can get something with consistent acceptable lethality for hunting purposes and a season about to start but I am never truly done.

 

[clearwater]

Another example of extreme differences in results using a 25-270 rifle.

115 grain plain base cast bullet with Max load of Trail Boss at around 1000 fps-- tumbling at 50 yards

120 Grain jacketed unknown brand bullets from yard sale, 3000 fps at 100 yards

 

[sphingta]

So satisfying when you find something that works. I just like when I. A find something that is able to shoot better than I can. If I got groups that small I would think it was a fluke. Ever been much better than 3/4” at least In the past 20 years or so.

 

[Blkram]

While a perfect group of 3 (or 5, or 10, etc.) through the exact same goal would be a wonderful thing, I don't believe that I will ever obtain that group...and I am OK with this, as I know I am not a great shot. (And I shake like a leaf in the wind on a good day!)

To date, I have only ever produced groups smaller than 0.2" twice (both at 0.181") at 100 yards, and was very happy with those groups! My recent group of 0.209" with HSM 100 gr SGK ammo in my Winchester Model 88 in 250 Savage was very satisfying! As was my 0.248" group with Nosler 140 gr AccuBond ammo in my Winchester Model 1885 High Wall in 6.5 Creedmoor.

If I can obtain consistent groups of less than an inch with my hunting rifles, I am happy and willing to use that handload or ammunition for hunting. If I can get less than 1/2" groups I am even happier! It definitely gives me greater confidence in not only my rifle's accuracy potential, but my ability with that rifle/cartridge combination to be able to put the bullet into the vitals of my target animal, and put meat on the table.

For those of you who can produce smaller groups, congrats! (I have seen several posted on this site over the years, and continue to applaud those who can do so!)
And for those of you striving for that one hole group, I wish you all the best, and may you achieve your goal someday! (I would love to someone accomplish this feat!)

 

[300WSM]

While a perfect group of 3 (or 5, or 10, etc.) through the exact same goal would be a wonderful thing, I don't believe that I will ever obtain that group...and I am OK with this, as I know I am not a great shot. (And I shake like a leaf in the wind on a good day!)

To date, I have only ever produced groups smaller than 0.2" twice (both at 0.181") at 100 yards, and was very happy with those groups! My recent group of 0.209" with HSM 100 gr SGK ammo in my Winchester Model 88 in 250 Savage was very satisfying! As was my 0.248" group with Nosler 140 gr AccuBond ammo in my Winchester Model 1885 High Wall in 6.5 Creedmoor.

If I can obtain consistent groups of less than an inch with my hunting rifles, I am happy and willing to use that handload or ammunition for hunting. If I can get less than 1/2" groups I am even happier! It definitely gives me greater confidence in not only my rifle's accuracy potential, but my ability with that rifle/cartridge combination to be able to put the bullet into the vitals of my target animal, and put meat on the table.

For those of you who can produce smaller groups, congrats! (I have seen several posted on this site over the years, and continue to applaud those who can do so!)
And for those of you striving for that one hole group, I wish you all the best, and may you achieve your goal someday! (I would love to someone accomplish this feat!)

I had a 7 odd 8 that could put 17 rounds into one ragged hole.
Then it would walk.
Clean it to a mirror finish.....
one ragged hole for 17 rounds..
Start walking. .

Clean it... right back again for 17 rds...

140 gr
Ballistic Tips
over 43. something grains (i need to look)
IMR4350

One group... one time..in a 300 WSM
5 shots covered with a nickel. Possibly a dime.
Imr4831
180 Ballistic Silvertip

That group just happened. Never that tight since. Close but not that tight. Nor before.
Everything has to be perfect for that plus some luck.

That weapon always had incredible accuracy but it is about due for another bbl.
Win model 70. Pre 64 action
Approximately a #2 contour bbl.

It can no longer group like that.
About an inch is the best it can do today and again all things have to go just right.
The result of many, many rounds running at 3100 fps.

New bbl on there and we can do it all over again

 

[NYDAN]

While a perfect group of 3 (or 5, or 10, etc.) through the exact same goal would be a wonderful thing, I don't believe that I will ever obtain that group...and I am OK with this, as I know I am not a great shot. (And I shake like a leaf in the wind on a good day!)

To date, I have only ever produced groups smaller than 0.2" twice (both at 0.181") at 100 yards, and was very happy with those groups! My recent group of 0.209" with HSM 100 gr SGK ammo in my Winchester Model 88 in 250 Savage was very satisfying! As was my 0.248" group with Nosler 140 gr AccuBond ammo in my Winchester Model 1885 High Wall in 6.5 Creedmoor.

If I can obtain consistent groups of less than an inch with my hunting rifles, I am happy and willing to use that handload or ammunition for hunting. If I can get less than 1/2" groups I am even happier! It definitely gives me greater confidence in not only my rifle's accuracy potential, but my ability with that rifle/cartridge combination to be able to put the bullet into the vitals of my target animal, and put meat on the table.

For those of you who can produce smaller groups, congrats! (I have seen several posted on this site over the years, and continue to applaud those who can do so!)
And for those of you striving for that one hole group, I wish you all the best, and may you achieve your goal someday! (I would love to someone accomplish this feat!)

Well stated, Gil. You took the words right out of my mouth.