[BsChoy]

I took 5 each loaded with 46,46.5,47,47.5,48 grains of IMR 4064 under a 168 amax. I got the best group about 3-4 inches at 100 yards with 47.5. Although it seems 46 seemed to work decent too. I hade a lapse in attention span today and grabbed a mixed bag for my first clip and screwed up the order but it seems that the 46 shot well. I know it seemed to eject with much more vigor than usual with 150 grain surplus.

[RecoilRob]

I have read that 47grns of 4064 with the 168 Sierra used to be a standard accuracy load for High Power rifle competition.

Would recommend watching your ejection pattern and try to keep the loads down to preserve the life of the rifle. Good loads will throw the brass out in front of you to 1 or 2 o-clock, warmish will be out to 3 (and, if they are going straight out to your right, you should back off the load a bit), and anything landing behind you is a definite sign that you are pushing the rifle too hard.

For close range targeting, I'd want a load that functions the rifle and not much more. Then practice, practice and more practice and the groups will shrink.

[Guy B. Meredith]

Is the ejection pattern a good way to estimate the setting on an adjustable gas cylinder plug?

[RecoilRob]

I don't see why not! Assuming, of course, that the load being used is NOT overpressure and somewhat compatible...burn rate wise.

You would be allowing in just enough gas to cycle the action without being too hard on it...and the ejection pattern (assuming also that the springs and ejector are all in good shape) would indicate the 'enough but not too much' setting you would be looking for.

[BsChoy]

I am going to try the 46's again as they seemed to show promise...