Texas Hunting Forum

Trip to the range

Posted By: TackDriver

Trip to the range - 08/07/16 05:56 PM

Took a trip to the range this morning, shot some worked up loads of 3 rounds each for the 6.5 x 284 and 6.5 Creedmoor, last load with 51.9 grains of H4831SC, pushing a 130 VLD at 3,015 fps out of the 6.5x284, it made a nice little group of .106 MOA. I was using Sierra 123 before and I wanted better ballistic performance downrange so switched to Berger.

The Creedmoor with the 30.5 inch barrel I have been frustrated with. Previously I have shot it with a 130 VLD and shot real well until I ran out, so using the 130 Hybrids and I have been struggling to make it shoot one hole groups, so I switched to 140 Hybrids and 142 Matchkings and this bullet weight is what this rifle likes according to several groups of .3 to .4 or less with H4350. Made a nice little group of .188 MOA on the first 3 round group. Charge was a measly 39.5 grains of H4350 at 2,715 fps. Not much speed, the faster charges opens up to around .3 to.4 MOA, mostly 2 in one hole and one little flyer. What is with those little flyers, its ticking me off. mad Do I find a faster charge and play with seating depth to tighten it up and make that littler flyer go away? What speed should I use? Advises would be nice. Thanks
http://imgur.com/a/w7w7p

http://imgur.com/a/c67sj
Posted By: poisonivie

Re: Trip to the range - 08/08/16 12:30 AM

I've found that the little flyers are usually me.
Posted By: rrflyer

Re: Trip to the range - 08/08/16 12:33 AM

What's your goal with the rifle? Shoot small groups at 100? If mine shoot sub 1/2 I stick with that and carry on
Posted By: J.G.

Re: Trip to the range - 08/08/16 01:18 AM

IF, big if, you want to try to improve upon the Creedmoor, go past the hotter charges that shot bad. My bet is you found the low node, the high node may be beyond the higher charges that shot poorly.

I'm at 42.8 gr with a 140 A-Max out of a 25" barrel making 2800 fps. You should be able to well exceed my MV due to your barrel length. Ease into those higher charges, in .3 gr or less, of course.
Posted By: Deerhunter61

Re: Trip to the range - 08/08/16 01:33 AM

It looks pretty good to me. I agree with rrflyer, what's your goal?
Posted By: cblackall

Re: Trip to the range - 08/08/16 01:56 AM

I've got to agree with others here. By the time you get done trying to improve on consistent .3's and .4's, you've needlessly burned through a lot of components, and probably your barrel with little to show. I've got the disease too. The one that keeps me up at night wondering what magic might happen if I went with primer "x", or seated the bullets out another .010". I'm slowly learning that every rifle won't put five in the same hole, and I've got to set realistic goals. I also enjoy shooting for fun a whole lot more than I enjoy shooting for load development. You may enjoy that process, and if you do, more power to you. But I will say, if you're like me, you'll never truly be satisfied and will always wonder what's right around the corner with the next 0.2 gr increase in powder charge. I always feel there's room for improvement, but I'm getting better... And I'm enjoying shooting a lot more, with a lot less headache. Your rifle's a shooter. Enjoy it.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Trip to the range - 08/08/16 02:36 AM

wtf
Posted By: TackDriver

Re: Trip to the range - 08/08/16 03:41 AM

Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
IF, big if, you want to try to improve upon the Creedmoor, go past the hotter charges that shot bad. My bet is you found the low node, the high node may be beyond the higher charges that shot poorly.

I'm at 42.8 gr with a 140 A-Max out of a 25" barrel making 2800 fps. You should be able to well exceed my MV due to your barrel length. Ease into those higher charges, in .3 gr or less, of course.


That is what I thought too. That is my next step with a change of primers.
© 2024 Texas Hunting Forum