I'm using a Howa 1500 .243 RWS brass with Federal Large Rifle Primers, Vit N150 (I know 140 would be better but I haven't got any) powder and 75grn Hornady A Max.
OK, I made a dummy round which I chambered to fit my rifle and measured at COAL of 2.7425"
Knock off the .0005" as no-one is that good then take off a thou to clear the lands and i made 5 batches of 5 rounds at:
2.732
2.722
2.712
2.702
2.692
I'm happy the powder is consistent and the length has been measured correctly.
And at 100yds I'm getting 3" groups which clearly isn't good enough. There's not even a trend towards tighter groups as the COAL decreases.
So.....shall I keep going shorter or am I just a crap shot? The factory ammo is quite a bit shorter than my reloaded stuff but I know it has to be.
Any ideas?
Cheers..
Daystate Air Ranger FAC - Kral Bullpup & NP03 - CZ 452 .22lr - Lithgow 17hmr - Remington 783 .223 - Franchi 612vs 12G - Renato Gamba 12G O/U - Hatsan Escort 12G
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.....
Ok thanks, I'll keep reducing it.
Daystate Air Ranger FAC - Kral Bullpup & NP03 - CZ 452 .22lr - Lithgow 17hmr - Remington 783 .223 - Franchi 612vs 12G - Renato Gamba 12G O/U - Hatsan Escort 12G
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.....
Chap on here I know had a best group with 120 thou jump.
But to save reloads, as mentioned about, I'd start going back in 20s.
Doesn't sound like it groups well at all. Have you tried cleaning it
Yep, cleaned between each string.
So what do you suggest for the next 5 batches?
2.672
2.652
2.632
2.612
2.592
???
Daystate Air Ranger FAC - Kral Bullpup & NP03 - CZ 452 .22lr - Lithgow 17hmr - Remington 783 .223 - Franchi 612vs 12G - Renato Gamba 12G O/U - Hatsan Escort 12G
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.....
Wotcher Phil
been running the light fodder (87, 84 ,70 gn. bullets at 2.66 "- 2.67 " - no complaints, under 1 inch.
Browning A Bolt, IMR4064 or Vit. 140.
HTH
Col
Daystate Air Ranger FAC - Kral Bullpup & NP03 - CZ 452 .22lr - Lithgow 17hmr - Remington 783 .223 - Franchi 612vs 12G - Renato Gamba 12G O/U - Hatsan Escort 12G
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.....
what COAL does your reloading manual say for that bullet? failing that load to the same length as a similar factory round and then play with your powder charge until you are happy with the grouping, you can then mess with the COAL if you wish to see if it tightens the group.
Viht data gives 2.638" for COAL
You Cannot Reason People Out of Something They Were Not Reasoned Into
"Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement" Sir Humphry Appleby
I thought powder charge affects the velocity and COAL affects the accuracy?
Daystate Air Ranger FAC - Kral Bullpup & NP03 - CZ 452 .22lr - Lithgow 17hmr - Remington 783 .223 - Franchi 612vs 12G - Renato Gamba 12G O/U - Hatsan Escort 12G
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.....
I like that mantra.
As long as the powder is somewhere in the middle of the range given in the books.
You haven't said what you are getting with factory?
If a lot better than something is wrong.
Are you using a lee neck die by any chance? If so you could be having inconsistent neck tension if you aren't giving it that last 10% of welly needed to finish it off. And turning it 90 degrees and doing it again can help.
It could be you jsut have to admit defeat and go get the right powder. I've never had a rifle shoot that bad which leads me to believe its something more than powder/COL.
It is the same manufacturer's brass?
nope otherwise factory ammo wouldn't hit squat! get your powder charge sorted out and then if you must play with the length to get the minimum group dispersion, too many people spend too much time fretting about the jump to the lands before getting the rifle shooting well.
fine tuning the charge and the length will definitely show you the best from your rifle, but with 3MOA groups you are waaaaay from that at the moment, get the basics sorted out and then look at the detail.
You Cannot Reason People Out of Something They Were Not Reasoned Into
"Politicians like to panic, they need activity. It is their substitute for achievement" Sir Humphry Appleby
I have to say I've found the complete opposite. COL has made all the difference, powder change just makes the group go in different places (within reason). Sure if you have the wrong COL then powder changes might result in a nice group, but not consistently.
Just my 2p
And if its raining then this and part 2 is worth watching. But skip the bits about concentricity and come back when you have 1/2 moa groups.
I started playing the video and noticed the first one is 2 hours long, defo a rainy day video!
Anyone want to buy some N150 powder. It's OK for .308
Daystate Air Ranger FAC - Kral Bullpup & NP03 - CZ 452 .22lr - Lithgow 17hmr - Remington 783 .223 - Franchi 612vs 12G - Renato Gamba 12G O/U - Hatsan Escort 12G
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.....
You've still not said the group size with factory??