So my 260 Hospitaller has proven the most picky gun I have loaded for in quite some time. It hated 140 Amax's--period.
With 140 Berger Hybrid's it has shot really nice with a couple loads. I have worked up a good shooting load with 42.9 gr of H4350 that clocks right at 2800 fps, and upon advise of a few decided I would try a little H4831sc since I had plenty laying around. Found a good load at 45.7gr that clocks right at 2700 fps.
Here is today, both 5-shot groups at 100, top is the H4350 loading and bottom is H4831sc. The bottom is tighter, but slower. Most all my shooting with this gun is 1200 yards and under. Sometimes we get out into the mountains to play at distance, but would typically bring a 300wm or 338 Lap. Looking at dope, the 100fps translates to advantage with the wind, but not a lot else. Am I crazy considering going with the lighter load?
Granted I can always use any advantage in the wind--my 5-shot group with the H4350 at 500 yards got pushed around in the wind a bit this afternoon. Wind opened it up to .65 MOA at 500.
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With bullet, rate of fire and gun care held constant between both loads, would the 2700fps vs 2800fps save me all that much as far as barrel life? Even with the slower load burning another 2.8 grains of powder?
With 140 Berger Hybrid's it has shot really nice with a couple loads. I have worked up a good shooting load with 42.9 gr of H4350 that clocks right at 2800 fps, and upon advise of a few decided I would try a little H4831sc since I had plenty laying around. Found a good load at 45.7gr that clocks right at 2700 fps.
Here is today, both 5-shot groups at 100, top is the H4350 loading and bottom is H4831sc. The bottom is tighter, but slower. Most all my shooting with this gun is 1200 yards and under. Sometimes we get out into the mountains to play at distance, but would typically bring a 300wm or 338 Lap. Looking at dope, the 100fps translates to advantage with the wind, but not a lot else. Am I crazy considering going with the lighter load?
Granted I can always use any advantage in the wind--my 5-shot group with the H4350 at 500 yards got pushed around in the wind a bit this afternoon. Wind opened it up to .65 MOA at 500.
[/URL
With bullet, rate of fire and gun care held constant between both loads, would the 2700fps vs 2800fps save me all that much as far as barrel life? Even with the slower load burning another 2.8 grains of powder?