Re: IMR 4198 for 408 CHEYTAC? Also reloading questions
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lrplinker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for all the help. Turns out I now actually know why I have 4198 and it is irrelevant. I am looking for the RL-25 and am going to test all the given procedures....
Curious, how short a range do you think I can use for load development. It is way easier to get to a 20 yd range if I am just trying to shoot a lot of rounds to test for optimum grains and so forth, but is that so close that I couldnt realistically see the "sweet spot" --- 600 yd range and 1000 yd ranges are a much bigger effort, but I will do what I need to. </div></div>
My heart goes out to you, friend. As a former owner and shooter of a .408 CheyTac, I can attest as to not fully realizing what owning and shooting a .408 really means.
Here are two pictures of a very thick and heavy 8" target. This target was made to withstand constant punishment of magnums from .338 Lapua Magnum on down. This plate was shot at 200 yards.
The large "gold" impacts are from 408 cheytac solids made by Lost River Ballistic Technologies (now out of business). These solids were in the range of 400 grains each. At 200 yards, I can only guess their velocity since they were Cheytac factory ammo.
The "smaller" silver colored (lead) impacts were from our local crazy South African's (every community should have at least one!) safari rifle. I can't remember the exact caliber but it was somewhere between a 350 grain to 400 grain "dangerous game" projectile. 375 H&H magnum? 404 Jefferies? Something huge and typically African but I can't remember exactly what.
Ok, so both the Dangerous Game (DG) projectile and the 408 Cheytac made big splatter marks.
But notice how <span style="font-weight: bold">DEEP</span> the 408 craters are. What the DG could dig out with multiple shots was <span style="font-weight: bold">NOTHING</span> compared to a single strike from a 408.
The true kicker is that the 408 didn't break the target, it broke the heavy chains welded between the target and the target stand! The target was so heavy that the DG hits made it swing noticeablely.
However, the 408 hits cause the target to jump so violently that after one 408 "half hit" (bottom of target) and 4 direct 408 hits, the chains snapped!
Moral of the story, you're shooting a 2500 meter rifle. At 200 yards, I couldn't even get it properly sighted in. You really need to find <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">at least</span></span> a 600 yard or great range to do your zeroing and load development.
If you feel the need to verify my story, call the Renton Fish & Game Club in Renton, Washington and ask for the rifle rangemaster. Him, as well as the crazy South African plus a host of other characters can verify what happened.