I did my first OCW test today for my .308. After alot of reading and mixed opinions on what's best to start off with, I chose to shoot at 100 yards because I can do it on my back porch. After review of this OCW, I will continue my shooting at 300yds for further/better testing. I will try to give as many details as possible, but if I fail to include something please let me know.
Rifle:
GAP Hospitaller w/ 26" Bartlien barrel
Surgeon action
KMW Sentinel stock
NightForce 5.5-22x56
Atlas bipod
All shooting was done prone of a bipod and rear bag.
Weather/Conditions:
Started at 5pm with temps around 82 degrees
Finished up around 7pm with temps around 73-75 degrees
Sunny with light variable wind, but at my 6 o'clock so wasn't a factor
All shooting done "Round Robin" 2 minutes apart shot to shot.
Load data:
New/unfired Lapua cases - Neck sized, chamfered, deburred
Lapua 155 Scenars
BR2 primers
Varget
Charge weights started at 45.9 and went up to 47.5 in .2gr increments. I loaded 3 rounds each of each charge weight. From speaking with a few people that had this similar rifle and shot this same load, I knew that I would most likely see best results around 46.5-47.5
At 47.5 I still did NOT see any real signs of pressure. Maybe just the slightest bit of extractor mark, but nothing significant. I think I should have continued on up to 47.7 as I wasn't seeing any pressure and I beleive I was seeing a good node at 47.5. All shots broke well with the exception of shot # 1 on target # 1. It wasn't a called flyer, it felt right so I am not sure what happened since shots #2 & #3 of that charge weight seemed to shoot better. My only regret is not yet having a chronograph to see my SD/ES, but it will be on the "To Buy" list this week before I move out to 300yds and 600yds.
Here are the target pics. Please review them and let me know what you all think.
Rifle:
GAP Hospitaller w/ 26" Bartlien barrel
Surgeon action
KMW Sentinel stock
NightForce 5.5-22x56
Atlas bipod
All shooting was done prone of a bipod and rear bag.
Weather/Conditions:
Started at 5pm with temps around 82 degrees
Finished up around 7pm with temps around 73-75 degrees
Sunny with light variable wind, but at my 6 o'clock so wasn't a factor
All shooting done "Round Robin" 2 minutes apart shot to shot.
Load data:
New/unfired Lapua cases - Neck sized, chamfered, deburred
Lapua 155 Scenars
BR2 primers
Varget
Charge weights started at 45.9 and went up to 47.5 in .2gr increments. I loaded 3 rounds each of each charge weight. From speaking with a few people that had this similar rifle and shot this same load, I knew that I would most likely see best results around 46.5-47.5
At 47.5 I still did NOT see any real signs of pressure. Maybe just the slightest bit of extractor mark, but nothing significant. I think I should have continued on up to 47.7 as I wasn't seeing any pressure and I beleive I was seeing a good node at 47.5. All shots broke well with the exception of shot # 1 on target # 1. It wasn't a called flyer, it felt right so I am not sure what happened since shots #2 & #3 of that charge weight seemed to shoot better. My only regret is not yet having a chronograph to see my SD/ES, but it will be on the "To Buy" list this week before I move out to 300yds and 600yds.
Here are the target pics. Please review them and let me know what you all think.
