Range Report 6.5 cm loads / ballistics , new build

[dzander]

SO I loaded up 10 rounds in .2 grain increments.
Remington 700 , 26" barrel.
H4350, 140 g hybrid bullet, cci 450, 2.8" OAL.
Top charge weight was 42.4 which is .4 grain over depending what data you go by.
Ended up with 3 loads 40.8, 41.0, 41.2 grains that all ran within 5 fps of each other at 2676 FPS.
The 42.2 had hard bolt lift so I stoped there. So 41.0 grains is what I settled on.
Zeroed at 100 yards. Kestrel said 1.1 mil up for 300 yards. Dialed up and shot , It was right there where Kestrel said.
Shot 3 rounds at 400 yards, Kestal called for 2.0 mils. I was good again.
400 yards is the most I had access to.
Tomorrow I'll shoot out to about 800 yards on steel plates at a long range match.
I wonder if the come ups will be good the rest of the way out. Hopefully there won't be much wind and I can get a Idea .

 

[stello1001]

Holy heck, I thought I was slow pushing a 140 from a 24" tube at 2720 but you got me beat on that haha. Anyhow, so long as it is accurate and very consistent, I would not mess with the load. Generally, I have found that my data is pretty true at shorter ranges and the further out I stretch it, it's off by a bit. Regardless, it's a very close ball park figure. If you need spot on drops, you're gonna have to go out shooting and dope your rifle the old way. I would assume you are not going to be shooting targets smaller than an MOA in size so you'll be fine.

 

[dzander]

Well I was at 2850 with reloader 17 but guys say its so temperature sensitive I figured I'd try the H4350.
barrel only has 40 rounds thru it. It's a Krieger. It feels really smooth when I run a patch thru it.
At longer ranges they have some bigger plates like 12" or 14". I was getting more speed at higher charge weights gut the velocities were not as consistent like the 41 grain charges.

 

[Lunchbox27]

That barrel will speed up after a good 150 rounds-ish. Every barrel I have shot has.

Yes, RL17 will have velocity swings. You should check out RL16, or RL26 (if you can find it ) for stable velocity between temp changes, but with the extra speed.

 

[CavReconScout]

FWIW don’t chase speed, chase accuracy. Your load will speed up when the barrel breaks in, and you won’t get crazy pressure when the temps go over 90 degrees.

 

[Steel head]

Performance at 2675 with a 140 hybrid is excellent.
If it shot well I’d totally be happy there.
R16 has almost the speed of R17 without the hassle.

 

[stello1001]

Yeah your speed does appear to be on the slower end given your barrel length but I did not mean to imply you should chase higher velocities. If you're getting very good and consistent accuracy, stick with it.

Your barrel will also speed up as somebody already mentioned. All barrels speed up a bit from 80ish to 150ish rounds down the tube. I just didn't know your barrel was brand new. I think you'll notice that even with the low velocity, you should do well.

 

[dzander]

Well I shot today. I'm very pleased. With help from a really good spotter he gave me the wind calls.
Using the Kestrel for Elevation the 2676 fps for muzzle velocity.
I shot these ranges with these Elevation adjustments using the 2676 and g7=.311

450 2.4mil hit 1 12x12" hit 1 8x8"
550 3.4mil hit 1 12x12" hit 2 8x8"
235 0.7 mil hit 2 6x7" hit 1 2.75" circle
400 2.0 mil hit 2 12" circle hit 1 4x7.5"
300 1.1mil hit 2 6x7" hit 1 2.75" circle
375 1.7 mil hit 2 12" circle hit 1 4x5"
800 6.2mil hit 1 16x16"
900 7.5 mil hit 1 24x24"
825 6.5 mil hit 2 12x12"
875 7.1 mil hit 2 12x12"
675 4.7 mil hit 1 12x12"
715 5.1 mil hit 1 12x12"

There was 3 shots taken at each yardage shooting all prone.
So I hit 26 of 36 but wouldn't have without spotter on the 675 thru 900 yard targets because of wind.
Most fun Iv'e had in a long time. There were from 2 to 4 plates at each yardage, mostly 4 getting from biggest to smallest. I always shot the biggest plate first then tried the next size down except at the 675-900 there i tried the largest plates. Had a hard time on those but I don't think it was the elevation , it was left right issues mostly I think. Bottom line I think I can trust the Kestrel for the elevations out to 900.
I was surprised about that. Can't wait to do it again. I need some different height rear bags also. seems like i'm flipping the rear bag all the time to get a solid base to hold steady. All I have is a fortune cookie style. Some guys had different height rectangular bags. I don't know if I should try 147's. I have a box of ELD-m in 147. They'll be a little slower I suppose. Some of the better guys were saying get a good consistent load and stick with it. Save on barrel life.

 

[mtnhunter22]

Well I shot today. I'm very pleased. With help from a really good spotter he gave me the wind calls.
Using the Kestrel for Elevation the 2676 fps for muzzle velocity.
I shot these ranges with these Elevation adjustments using the 2676 and g7=.311

450 2.4mil hit 1 12x12" hit 1 8x8"
550 3.4mil hit 1 12x12" hit 2 8x8"
235 0.7 mil hit 2 6x7" hit 1 2.75" circle
400 2.0 mil hit 2 12" circle hit 1 4x7.5"
300 1.1mil hit 2 6x7" hit 1 2.75" circle
375 1.7 mil hit 2 12" circle hit 1 4x5"
800 6.2mil hit 1 16x16"
900 7.5 mil hit 1 24x24"
825 6.5 mil hit 2 12x12"
875 7.1 mil hit 2 12x12"
675 4.7 mil hit 1 12x12"
715 5.1 mil hit 1 12x12"

There was 3 shots taken at each yardage shooting all prone.
So I hit 26 of 36 but wouldn't have without spotter on the 675 thru 900 yard targets because of wind.
Most fun Iv'e had in a long time. There were from 2 to 4 plates at each yardage, mostly 4 getting from biggest to smallest. I always shot the biggest plate first then tried the next size down except at the 675-900 there i tried the largest plates. Had a hard time on those but I don't think it was the elevation , it was left right issues mostly I think. Bottom line I think I can trust the Kestrel for the elevations out to 900.
I was surprised about that. Can't wait to do it again. I need some different height rear bags also. seems like i'm flipping the rear bag all the time to get a solid base to hold steady. All I have is a fortune cookie style. Some guys had different height rectangular bags. I don't know if I should try 147's. I have a box of ELD-m in 147. They'll be a little slower I suppose. Some of the better guys were saying get a good consistent load and stick with it. Save on barrel life.

Good work. As far as rear bags. I use something similar to a weibad range cube but I’ve recently switched to an Armageddon mini game changer and love it. A good all around bag and can get rock solid prone positions.

I’ve also shot the 140&147s. I would check your velocities after barrel break in and then make your decision. A lot of the high bc bullets maintain their bc’s with speed. So slower you’re pushing them you start to loose that high bc. My 140s always shot well Around 2750. Only reason I switched to 147s was hunting purposes. And even then I still might go back to 140s after more Testing.

 

[Steel head]

need some different height rear bags also. seems like i'm flipping the rear bag all the time to get a solid base to hold steady.
Some guys had different height rectangular bags.


I don't know if I should try 147's. I have a box of ELD-m in 147. They'll be a little slower I suppose. Some of the better guys were saying get a good consistent load and stick with it. Save on barrel life.

Look into Precision underground bags.
I have the ELR and Mini ELR and couldn’t be happier.

Unless you plan to really stretch out the distances often(1500+) I would stick with the 140’s.

 

[dzander]

ok.
I am shooting this prone off a bipod I should add.
No I don't see myself going past 1000 yards.
I was ecstatic I hit a 24" square at 900 yards.
It took 1 mill left windage to hit that. And it was't real windy at all.
Some guys said 5-7 mph.
If I need a challenge the Range has a 4"x6" plate at 900.
When it drys out here we can get 1000.
I ordered 500 of the Berger 140 hybrids.
I have 91 rounds Down the barrel to date.
I should re chrono maybe in another 50-60 rounds see if I did speed up.