Posted: 2/17/2008 7:31:40 AM EDT
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I'm new to reloading and got everything I think I need, just a few questions for the hive. 1. While developing a load do you use a scope on your Service Rifle? 2. does 77gr for the 200 and 300yd sound good? one load 2 yard lines.. 3. Could I use the 77grs for all yard lines with the same load? I have a RRA NM with a wylde chamber with 1-8 twist. |
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mrhylias; You have an excellent rifle!  I am sure there are several opinions on your load development questions but the following are mine. I do my load testing for accuracy from the prone position, no scope. I do test my loads over the chronograph for velocity, standard deviation and extreme spread when I change lot numbers of powder or primers. Also after I change barrels. The latter is simplified by buying two 8 lb. jugs of powder and 5000 primers all of the same lot per rifle. This will take me to the point where I need to change barrels. To add to the above, I have found that Reloader 15 and Federal 205M primers differ the least in consistency from lot to lot. If you are looking for one bullet weight, the 77's will be okay but for 600 yards, I would go with 80's. As a heads up, as of last week, the Nosler 77's were a better deal than the Sierra's. Check out Natchez Shooters Supply or Midsouth Shooters supply. I have shot the Noslers and they are, in my honest opinion, equal to Sierra in accuracy. Sorry I didn't list the two suppliers links. I can't seem to figure out why they no longer can be high lighted and clicked on for direct access to their sites.[:// Dave McGrath |
It's common to use one load for 200/300, then another for 600. For starting out you will do just fine with 77 across the course. Eventually you should try an 80gr at 600. It will get you at least a couple points more in the wind. There are those who love load development. They tweak, they shoot, they tweak some more. It's all good. I just got a load that shot, checked it with a chorono, then started shooting it in position. I was able to clean 200/300 and almost at 600 so I figured it must be good. Frank |
Local monthly matches at GR&PC in Jacksonville. A 200 yard walk and paste. When I can, I try and shoot in Orlando (CFR&PC, 300 yard with pits) and Malabar (600 yard with pits). I'll be going to the OBR in a week or so there Where you be at? Frank |
Well I'm going to hop on that nosler deal for 1k of 77's for $144, I do have a box of 80gr a-max. I used to get free ammo from the navy in the form of MK262 Mod 0, but at my currant duty location I'm to far from any of the shooting teams. My problem is that I don't have a Spotting Scope, I don't have a chrono, and I don't have a scope for my rifle. Oh yeah and I don't have the money to buy all three, but I can buy one now. I do need to develop a round for the 600 and the 200 & 300. My thinking is that if I buy a scope for the rifle (Bushnell elite 3200 10x40) and get a mount for the carry handle, I would better know that it was the ammo not my six'O clock hold. Helping in the development process. Thoughts on this? |
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I don't think you need all that stuff to find a load that will clean the target with good X counts. If I were you, I'd spend the money on a spotting scope first. Go to the Alliant Powder website and look up their recommended load for Sierra 77s and use that same load they recommend for R-15. My guess is that will shoot cleans all the way to 600 yards in more than 90% of the rifles on the line. You certainly can tweak things later on if you think things could use a little work but I bet you will find it shoots great. If I was going to shoot a brand new rifle that I just got, I'd duplicate this load and take it to a match without any qualms. There are probably other powders out there that will do just as well, but I don't have as much experience with them as I do with the Alliant powders. B |