So I finally took the plunge and started loading for my personal AI AE (24" fixed-stock, with a Leupold Vari-X III 4.5-14x50mm). The whole experience has been interesting; I've never had the opportunity before to expend the time or resources to try handloading, and it's definitely a rewarding feeling.
The load I've started with is 175gr SMK with 42.0 Varget, COAL of 2.850, Federal 210 primers (210M being completely unavailable around here), and neck sized fire-formed FGMM brass. I'm using a Lee Anniversary kit with Perfect Powder Measure, and Lee balance beam. Consistency with the PPM has been somewhat uncertain; I could easily spot differences of at least .1 gr or more depending on if I turned the handle at a normal pace, or slowed down to a more cautious speed.
To start the session, I decided to try the Practical Tactical target for the first time using a box of 168gr FGMM. All shooting was conducted from a bench (the indoor range doesn't permit prone shooting) using a Harris bipod and a rear sandbag. I've definitely come to the conclusion that I need to find a better rear bag; it quickly became necessarily to completely re-adjust the bag after every single shot, with all of the attendent consistency issues that causes. The spotter group was fired at a leisurely pace, but I timed the 15 shots on the dots at 7 minute, 20 seconds. It definitely didn't feel that long. The difference in concentration and steadiness was instantly noticeable once the timer started. During some matches, I've been able to drop into a relaxed, not-quite-bored frame of mind for a course of fire, and that's when I seem to shoot most effectively. Today, I kept drifting in and out of that state, and it seemed to be directly responsible for whether I hit the dot or not:
The immediate inclination is to drop the elevation by .25 MOA based upon the group center of the 5 spotter shots at the bottom, but my gut feeling is that the shots which broke high (10/15 dots) were caused by shooter error rather than the rifle's true zero.
Switching over to handloads, I'll admit to feeling quite a bit of apprehension on the first round. There's the intellectual assurance that you've paid attention, taken your time, triple-checked every step, and then there's that emotion of doubt that creeps in when you start to squeeze the trigger back. There were no signs of pressure on the brass, the bolt opened easily on each shot, and yet it still takes some getting used to.
First group is in center (.43 MOA), second top left (.85 MOA), third bottom left (.75 MOA), and fourth in top right (.53 MOA). I didn't adjust any scope settings at all today, so it seems pretty clear that the point of impact difference from 168gr FGMM to the 175gr/42.0 handload is about .25 minutes right, and .75 minutes down. I'm convinced that the two groups on the left (in order, the second and third groups fired) opened up due to the size of the aiming dot. On 14x, I simply can't resolve the .25" dots through my scope, and wound up indexing off of the outer ring. Aiming at the center points of the larger 1" pasters gave me a clearer center, and seemed to shave off roughly .3 MOA of uncertainty.
Taking it out to 1,000 yards now will have to wait for the next week or two...
The load I've started with is 175gr SMK with 42.0 Varget, COAL of 2.850, Federal 210 primers (210M being completely unavailable around here), and neck sized fire-formed FGMM brass. I'm using a Lee Anniversary kit with Perfect Powder Measure, and Lee balance beam. Consistency with the PPM has been somewhat uncertain; I could easily spot differences of at least .1 gr or more depending on if I turned the handle at a normal pace, or slowed down to a more cautious speed.
To start the session, I decided to try the Practical Tactical target for the first time using a box of 168gr FGMM. All shooting was conducted from a bench (the indoor range doesn't permit prone shooting) using a Harris bipod and a rear sandbag. I've definitely come to the conclusion that I need to find a better rear bag; it quickly became necessarily to completely re-adjust the bag after every single shot, with all of the attendent consistency issues that causes. The spotter group was fired at a leisurely pace, but I timed the 15 shots on the dots at 7 minute, 20 seconds. It definitely didn't feel that long. The difference in concentration and steadiness was instantly noticeable once the timer started. During some matches, I've been able to drop into a relaxed, not-quite-bored frame of mind for a course of fire, and that's when I seem to shoot most effectively. Today, I kept drifting in and out of that state, and it seemed to be directly responsible for whether I hit the dot or not:
The immediate inclination is to drop the elevation by .25 MOA based upon the group center of the 5 spotter shots at the bottom, but my gut feeling is that the shots which broke high (10/15 dots) were caused by shooter error rather than the rifle's true zero.
Switching over to handloads, I'll admit to feeling quite a bit of apprehension on the first round. There's the intellectual assurance that you've paid attention, taken your time, triple-checked every step, and then there's that emotion of doubt that creeps in when you start to squeeze the trigger back. There were no signs of pressure on the brass, the bolt opened easily on each shot, and yet it still takes some getting used to.
First group is in center (.43 MOA), second top left (.85 MOA), third bottom left (.75 MOA), and fourth in top right (.53 MOA). I didn't adjust any scope settings at all today, so it seems pretty clear that the point of impact difference from 168gr FGMM to the 175gr/42.0 handload is about .25 minutes right, and .75 minutes down. I'm convinced that the two groups on the left (in order, the second and third groups fired) opened up due to the size of the aiming dot. On 14x, I simply can't resolve the .25" dots through my scope, and wound up indexing off of the outer ring. Aiming at the center points of the larger 1" pasters gave me a clearer center, and seemed to shave off roughly .3 MOA of uncertainty.
Taking it out to 1,000 yards now will have to wait for the next week or two...
