I've been working up hand loads for my new rifle. I'm measuring muzzle velocity at 12 feet, using a ProChrono digital. I was shooting both 168 SMK's and 155 A-Max's .010 off the lands at 100 yards.
Here's where I ended up (Varget, Federal 215M, Winchester & Hornady Brass):
SMK's w/45 grain = 2742 fps
A-Max's w/47 grains = 2943 fps
I wasn't all out shooting for accuracy, because I was focused on load development. However, I couldn't help but notice the small group of the last 3 A-Max rounds. I shot. Even though they were +/- .1 grain the group was under .308 with slight horizontal dispersion... wow!
Brass looks good and primers show slight flattening. I'm seeing a bit more of a ridge on primer around firing pin strike. The edge of the primer is still rounded and well defined. I'm still well under the max load specified by Lyman's 49th and yet I've exceed max velocity. I'm going to stop here and work up 10 rounds each at these load levels and shoot at 200 yards.
Rifle is better than I hoped. The A-Max really surprised me. The ProChrono has not given me a single error in 5 outings. Very happy with it's performance.
Having a real good time
Here's where I ended up (Varget, Federal 215M, Winchester & Hornady Brass):
SMK's w/45 grain = 2742 fps
A-Max's w/47 grains = 2943 fps
I wasn't all out shooting for accuracy, because I was focused on load development. However, I couldn't help but notice the small group of the last 3 A-Max rounds. I shot. Even though they were +/- .1 grain the group was under .308 with slight horizontal dispersion... wow!
Brass looks good and primers show slight flattening. I'm seeing a bit more of a ridge on primer around firing pin strike. The edge of the primer is still rounded and well defined. I'm still well under the max load specified by Lyman's 49th and yet I've exceed max velocity. I'm going to stop here and work up 10 rounds each at these load levels and shoot at 200 yards.
Rifle is better than I hoped. The A-Max really surprised me. The ProChrono has not given me a single error in 5 outings. Very happy with it's performance.
Having a real good time
