So a month ago I decided to take the plunge and get a Savage Palma for F/TR matches. I've never shot greater than 200 yards or owned anything bigger than my Savage .243 I got when I was 14 haha. I did some initial 100yd tests with Berger 155 Hybrids and Varget but wasn't thrilled with my results (not to mention my inexpensive Hawke SW Tactical scope I borrowed from my PCP airrifle had severe parallax issues!!)
Well I quickly swapped to a NF NXS 8-32x56 NP-R1 1/8 MOA
and decided to change directions using the 168 Hybrid and Alliant 2000MR. I performed a broad OCW test that didn't show anything too exciting. My best group was 1.5", 3 rounds at 250, but I wasn't too excited. The 2000MR velocity increase people speak about is real, as seen with my best load/group of the day.
Before I go further, I wanted to show the difference in just using a Whidden pointing die, and using it with the MCR Meplat trimmer. My routine is to point, trim, bevel, and repoint. The end result looks much more consistent though the point isn't as fine by pointing alone (should've left one unpointed for a better comparison but oh well)
I came up with these steps between the two OCW tests, and that probably added to the results I ended up with today. I started with 48.9 gr of 2000MR, increasing by 0.3gr to 50.1 (my first test I went up to 50.5 without any alarming pressure signs, but knew I didn't want to go quite that high again)
Groups were shot at 250yds, with a 15mph crosswind from 9/10 o'clock
I started to think I was onto something at 49.2;
Berger 168 Hybrid (0.015 jump)/New Lapua Brass/CCI BR2 Primers (all charge weights)
1.2982
2.2969
3.2972
4.2972
5.2980
ES: 13, SD: 5.6
at 49.5, 4 of the 5 had an ES of 4fps, groups tho were still around the 2" range.
I wasn't expecting things to improve drastically, and the numbers didn't in consistency. But 168s moving at 3050 fps without even the lightest ejector mark makes me warm and fuzzy inside haha!
50.1gr 2000MR
1.3042
2.3023
3.3045
4.3041
5.3058
ES: 25, SD: 12.1
the group, however, was much better than anything I'd had up to the point
0.9" at 250yds... may not be earth-shattering either but for a newb to all things long range and reloading I'm pretty excited with what I ended up with. I did use some loads with once fired brass .001 neck tension, and realized the new more snug .002 brass gave me better accuracy. Enough cannot be said for Savage and the their quality, which I learned early on with my .243 that shot very well. Well hopefully I kept that short and sweet enough, thanks for reading!
Well I quickly swapped to a NF NXS 8-32x56 NP-R1 1/8 MOA
and decided to change directions using the 168 Hybrid and Alliant 2000MR. I performed a broad OCW test that didn't show anything too exciting. My best group was 1.5", 3 rounds at 250, but I wasn't too excited. The 2000MR velocity increase people speak about is real, as seen with my best load/group of the day.
Before I go further, I wanted to show the difference in just using a Whidden pointing die, and using it with the MCR Meplat trimmer. My routine is to point, trim, bevel, and repoint. The end result looks much more consistent though the point isn't as fine by pointing alone (should've left one unpointed for a better comparison but oh well)
I came up with these steps between the two OCW tests, and that probably added to the results I ended up with today. I started with 48.9 gr of 2000MR, increasing by 0.3gr to 50.1 (my first test I went up to 50.5 without any alarming pressure signs, but knew I didn't want to go quite that high again)
Groups were shot at 250yds, with a 15mph crosswind from 9/10 o'clock
I started to think I was onto something at 49.2;
Berger 168 Hybrid (0.015 jump)/New Lapua Brass/CCI BR2 Primers (all charge weights)
1.2982
2.2969
3.2972
4.2972
5.2980
ES: 13, SD: 5.6
at 49.5, 4 of the 5 had an ES of 4fps, groups tho were still around the 2" range.
I wasn't expecting things to improve drastically, and the numbers didn't in consistency. But 168s moving at 3050 fps without even the lightest ejector mark makes me warm and fuzzy inside haha!
50.1gr 2000MR
1.3042
2.3023
3.3045
4.3041
5.3058
ES: 25, SD: 12.1
the group, however, was much better than anything I'd had up to the point
0.9" at 250yds... may not be earth-shattering either but for a newb to all things long range and reloading I'm pretty excited with what I ended up with. I did use some loads with once fired brass .001 neck tension, and realized the new more snug .002 brass gave me better accuracy. Enough cannot be said for Savage and the their quality, which I learned early on with my .243 that shot very well. Well hopefully I kept that short and sweet enough, thanks for reading!
