Some days you get lucky

[Red Ryder]

I always think of load development pretty much as SWAG. Sure you can do some research - look on this forum, talk to other shooters, check out the manuals - but in the end, when you're working up a rifle load, you never really know what you're going to get. I've found that plenty of research, fasting and meditation until I achieve a near perfect state of human conciousness to be necessary prior to beginning to work up a load.

I checked out Berger's load data and honestly, it seemed pretty anemic. Still, I've never reloaded Bergers before and I've never reloaded for this rifle either so I wanted to stay a bit conservative. Oh shit, hope that "c" won't get me banned for a political post! Anyway, this is the result of 40.0grs of IMR4350 with RP brass, BR-2 primers and 130gr Bergers. The rifle is a 26" Kreiger barrel, 1:8. QuickLoad tells me they're moving at 2715fps - a tad low in my opinion; I'd like to get 2850 out of it. Although, I think QuickLoad usually overestimates the velocity so these rounds maybe moving even slower than I think they are. I shot a couple of rounds at 200 yards and they look promising.

So, these are the first 6 rounds from this rifle. For me, this is not bad.

Look at Linkey2 first. Linkey1 was after the adjustments.

WARNING - This load worked in MY rifle. It may not work in yours. In fact, it may blow your gun up as well as part, or all, of your head. Start low and work your way up. At the least, wear safety glasses.

NOTE: I just looked at the forum rules and Frank does indeed have a rule about groups. So, to quote a line from the movie "Tombstone" - "Thats us, law and order everytime." I'm removing the photos.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Some days you get lucky

Nice.

Next time, 5x5 shot groups at 100y. A monkey can get lucky shooting only 3.

Chris

 

[bodywerks]

Re: Some days you get lucky

That is an average 3 shot group. Not bad, but like Chris said, even a monkey can shoot a single 1/2 MOA 3 shot group . You're off to a good start though...
when it comes to five 5-shot groups you'll find that even some of the best shooters might struggle to stay sub-moa consistently.

 

[Red Ryder]

Re: Some days you get lucky

You're both correct.

I'm well aware of the saying "3 shots test the rifle. 5 shots test the shooter." All I'm saying is that for the first test load, it didn't turn out bad. IF I get to 2850fps and can generate groups like these, which due to my penchant for running hot and cold, I find problematic, then I'll REALLY be happy.

I was also shooting off the bench - if I was shooting prone or was in some cornfield, I'd be happy.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Some days you get lucky

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedRyder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're both correct.

I'm well aware of the saying "3 shots test the rifle. 5 shots test the shooter." All I'm saying is that for the first test load, it didn't turn out bad. IF I get to 2850fps and can generate groups like these, which due to my penchant for running hot and cold, I find problematic, then I'll REALLY be happy.

I was also shooting off the bench - if I was shooting prone or was in some cornfield, I'd be happy. </div></div>

You did well, but there's a posted rule here and LowLight doesn't care too much for seeing 3 shot groups at 100yds. He doesn't even want to see posted, a 5 shot group at 100. 5x5 shot groups on one target, he's fine with, or a single 10 shot group at 100.

After 100yds, you can post what you please, I guess, although 5 shots is really the minimum standard. He especially hates people using the crutch 'this is in load development' too, so you've been warned, lol!

Take care and post some larger groups for us to see!

Chris

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Some days you get lucky

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You did well, but there's a posted rule here and LowLight doesn't care too much for seeing 3 shot groups at 100yds. </div></div>

There is a reason for this: 3 shot groups lie to you more often than they tell you the truth, while 5-shot groups tell you the truth more than they lie to you.

A 10-shot group almost never lies to you, and five 5-shot gourps almost never lie to you.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Some days you get lucky

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You did well, but there's a posted rule here and LowLight doesn't care too much for seeing 3 shot groups at 100yds. </div></div>

There is a reason for this: 3 shot groups lie to you more often than they tell you the truth, while 5-shot groups tell you the truth more than they lie to you.

A 10-shot group almost never lies to you, and five 5-shot gourps almost never lie to you. </div></div>

Yep, I didn't want to be a buzz kill and tried to be gentle.

Chris