How much more should I mess with this load?

[Deadshot2]

My rifle seems to shoot best with 175 gr bullets and a case pretty much filled with Varget.

The load is:

175gr Nosler Custom Competition HPBT
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2 Primer
43.5 gr of Varget which just <span style="text-decoration: underline">starts</span>to crunch when seating bullets to 2.800 OAL.

The weather for this session was near perfect (for the Pac NW). 60 degrees, ZERO wind, and sunny (but no mirage yet).

Range=300 yards.

Shot #1 I flinched like a beginner, raising my head and a cold bore as well.
Shot #2 I reacted to the shooter right next to me and as his shot went off, so did mine.

Shot#3, #4, and #5 went well with me paying attention to business.

Do I keep this load as is? OK, it's only a group of 3 but at 300 yards it sure looks nice.

Hopefully I can do it again.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: How much more should I mess with this load?

Do you really need to ask? You have three shots making an elongated hole and you called reasons for the other two. Seems like quality range time working on technique and learning to be focused on what you are doing while preparing and sending a shot downrange is a high priority. When you find you're main focus is not hearing or letting anything around you disturb you when getting off a shot you'll see a lot less "fliers" or rounds go outside a centralized group on the target.

Had a buddy just the other day ask what I see while preparing and sending a round downrange. Didn't give it much thought before but told him I only see the very center of a target, whether it be a steel plate or paper target. Not the area around it or even the edges of the target but the exact center. I'm expecting to see that bullet hit that exact center, even while the gun jumps slightly and settles back down I'm still staring at that exact center area. I did that even on our LR handguns at the 1000 yard matches even though the gun would jump all over the place I was still staring at the exact same location. I didn't notice birds chirping or people talking behind me or even other guns going off beside me in those final seconds before it went off. You'll find you'll get that concentration with practice and not do the things you've mentioned and you'll find it'll get much easier to shoot better.

Topstrap

 

[leadbullet]

Re: How much more should I mess with this load?

it is a keeper if all your other groups look like it, if it is a fluke, work on it .

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: How much more should I mess with this load?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it is a keeper if all your other groups look like it, if it is a fluke, work on it . </div></div>

Yes, it is a keeper. Unfortunately I need to work extra on Topstrap's suggestions and focus. With this load I've always been getting sub moa accuracy with occasional foray's below 1/2 MOA. I just changed stocks and I think that's an issue out of the way. Now I just have to cure some residual "Cranial Rectal Inversion"

and FOCUS.

Good tip Topstrap. From now on I'll block out all the range distractions. Just pretend they're just my kids or wife

Topstrap-

I guess I didn't really have to ask. I was just so pleased I had to share. Now I get to see if I can work this success into similar performance for 10 round groups.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[darkarcher]

Re: How much more should I mess with this load?

Judging from the first two, the next three may have been luck. Better shoot another group! The funny thing is I'm load developing for two rifles. I can't get them to group for shit. I'd take that five group as for good, with them, at this point...Good shooting.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: How much more should I mess with this load?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Darkarcher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Judging from the first two, the next three may have been luck. Better shoot another group! The funny thing is I'm load developing for two rifles. I can't get them to group for shit. I'd take that five group as for good, with them, at this point...Good shooting. </div></div>

You know the old saying "Some are good, some are lucky, but it's really nice when you can be "good and lucky" at the same time.

I'll keep working on getting good but I won't turn down any luck that shows up along the way

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: How much more should I mess with this load?

A) I would never invest components long term based on three shots. Do it with five, several more times, then decide.

B) This is excellent performance. A 'good enough' load is a compromise between load development and remaining bore life.

Greg