Reloading pay off? YES! Pics!

dcloco

Shot two rifles at the range today. It was a bit windy, for the most part, blowing 10-15mph in my face. 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser with open sights. Savage bull barrel, single shot, synthetic stock, and BSA 6-24x44 scope.

If care is taken, bulk military surplus FMJ bullets will group as well.

The Swede fodder for the day, Hornady A Max 140 grain bullets.

223 fodder - 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 62 grain military surplus (some neck sized - the 200 yard group).

6.5x55 - I should have moved the rear site to the 350 yard mark.


200 yard with 62 grain FMJ - yep...upper left was all mine! argh!!!


Again, one upper left shot, I knew it as the bullet was in flight...my mistake. This is 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips.


Not bad for military surplus bullets. I labeled the target wrong, this target is 62 grain FMJ bullets.

rollnblock

DC what are you using pushing the 40 bt's. i tried some today and got a cloverleaf at 100 using benchmark. 1/2 grain from their top load. i was surprised that little 40 could fly like that.

dcloco

20.0 to 21.2 of Hodgdon 4198.

dcloco

rollnblock,
Almost forgot, pick up some Accurate 2230-C. So far, that has been THE most accurate powder in my rifle.

In the same note, it is sometimes surprising what bullets group like at 100, 200, & 300 yards. At 100 yards, the 40 BT's will provide a group of five that a dime will cover. The 62 gr FMJ's, well...let's just say about a half dollar (only, use a dollar bill and fold it in half..heheh). I have some 55 gr FMJ bullets that are ugly at 100 yards. 200, not bad. Have not tried them at 300 yards though.

rollnblock

thanks for the info there DC. that was the first rounds i put through this gun. i junped 1/2 grain with each loading. now its to the tenths of grain i go. that was 26.8 benchmark. thanks again

dcloco

rollnblock,
How are you working up your loads at the shooting bench?

JustC has mentioned several times....he uses a ladder. Email me if you want more info.

This REALLY helps in developing the sweet spot....and you can use a small amount of rounds to narrow the search.

With the 223, you might want to change to 0.2 grain changes per load. Larger cases can go larger jumps.

I had been loading five or ten rounds per load/bullet/primer combo...money was adding up quick.

rollnblock

DC i usually take top load and go down 1/2 grain incriments to 10%. I usually load 4 rounds per. and usually a fouler. mostly shoot three shot groups, with an extra if i get a flyer.
If you have a way to save money and time I'm all ears.

dcloco

Check your email. Passed on the info that JustC provides on here.