Reloading experts, I need your wisdom. I’m working on new loads for two rifles (both are Ruger Hawkeyes) using the Optimal Charge Weight method. I know that OCW is about finding a sufficiently accurate load that will be insensitive to temperature and minor load variation. I like this idea, but I also want very good accuracy, if I can find it (for me 1 moa or better). This is my first attempt with OCW and the accuracy I’m getting is only okay. I think I should cut bait and move on to a new powder or bullet for each rifle and I’d appreciate your advice.
The first is for my .300WM (stainless, laminate stock). I’ve tried several powder/bullet combos in this rifle over the past 8 years, including RL22, Hybrid100V, and IMR4831 and Nosler BT, Nosler Accubond, Sierra Gameking, and Hornady SST (all in 180gr.) and Barnes TSX in 165 gr. The only combo I could get to consistently group 4 shots under 1” is the TSX with IMR 4831. I wanted to find a cheaper bullet with good accuracy for range practice and potentially hunting. The Nosler BT showed the second best accuracy in this rifle in previous testing, so I decided to try a new powder and use the optimal charge weight method.
So I reviewed Nosler’s data and decided to try IMR 4350. I loaded three rounds at a range of charge weights and 70.6 gr. looked most promising and loaded 10 at that weight. Every charge was weighed and bullets were seated at the maximum length that will feed from the magazine. The photo shows ten consecutive shots at 100 yards fired 3 minutes apart from a Lead Sled. Scope was Leupold VX-6 on 12x and the scope did not come loose.
The first shot was near the right edge of the group and was a clean, cold bore. The next four shots are the four at the left edge within 1 in vertically. Then the shots started to move back to the right. The barrel never got more than warm, but is it possible that the POI walked from barrel heating? If not, should I try yet another powder or should I try a different bullet? The TSX is the only bullet <180 gr. that I’ve loaded. Should I try another 165 gr bullet? Or should I try a heavier bullet like a 200+? Hunting will be primarily northern whitetails, but we have a lot of black bears as well. I have the following powders that seem appropriate, in addition to those I’ve already tried: AA4350, IMR 7828SSC, IMR 7977, H4831.
Next is for my .25-06 (stainless, plastic stock). This is the first load I’ve tried in this rifle: 115 gr Nosler BT with IMR 4350 (which Nosler shows as the most accurate powder). The photo below shows my OCW test with six charge weights, ranging from 48.5 gr to 51.0 gr in 0.5 gr increments (every charge weighed) . Once again, these were fired at 100 yards from a Lead Sled 3 minutes apart. It looks like 50.5 gr (target 7) is the best charge weight for OCW, but I’m concerned that I won’t be happy with the accuracy that I’ll likely get. That three shot group measures 1.375” and will likely widen as I fire more shots.
These rounds were loaded to 3.246”, just below book COL, because I recently purchased a Savage Axis II in .25-06 and want the rounds to be interchangeable in both for safety’s sake. I could try loading out farther by finding the distance to the lands in both rifles and loading inside the minimum. Or I could move on and try a different bullet or powder. I already have some 110 gr Accubonds loaded with IMR 4350 which I will try. This rifle is for my daughter who won’t be of legal age to hunt with it for three years, so I have time, but I find I have limited opportunities to get to the range and don’t want to waste time. Hunting use will also be northern whitetails and possible black bear. All the same powders seem to work here as in .300WM (one of the reasons I decided to buy the .25-06), so I’ve got the following powders that I have yet to try in .25-06: AA 4350, Hybrid 100V, IMR 4831, IMR 7977, IMR 7828 SSC.
The first is for my .300WM (stainless, laminate stock). I’ve tried several powder/bullet combos in this rifle over the past 8 years, including RL22, Hybrid100V, and IMR4831 and Nosler BT, Nosler Accubond, Sierra Gameking, and Hornady SST (all in 180gr.) and Barnes TSX in 165 gr. The only combo I could get to consistently group 4 shots under 1” is the TSX with IMR 4831. I wanted to find a cheaper bullet with good accuracy for range practice and potentially hunting. The Nosler BT showed the second best accuracy in this rifle in previous testing, so I decided to try a new powder and use the optimal charge weight method.
So I reviewed Nosler’s data and decided to try IMR 4350. I loaded three rounds at a range of charge weights and 70.6 gr. looked most promising and loaded 10 at that weight. Every charge was weighed and bullets were seated at the maximum length that will feed from the magazine. The photo shows ten consecutive shots at 100 yards fired 3 minutes apart from a Lead Sled. Scope was Leupold VX-6 on 12x and the scope did not come loose.
The first shot was near the right edge of the group and was a clean, cold bore. The next four shots are the four at the left edge within 1 in vertically. Then the shots started to move back to the right. The barrel never got more than warm, but is it possible that the POI walked from barrel heating? If not, should I try yet another powder or should I try a different bullet? The TSX is the only bullet <180 gr. that I’ve loaded. Should I try another 165 gr bullet? Or should I try a heavier bullet like a 200+? Hunting will be primarily northern whitetails, but we have a lot of black bears as well. I have the following powders that seem appropriate, in addition to those I’ve already tried: AA4350, IMR 7828SSC, IMR 7977, H4831.
Next is for my .25-06 (stainless, plastic stock). This is the first load I’ve tried in this rifle: 115 gr Nosler BT with IMR 4350 (which Nosler shows as the most accurate powder). The photo below shows my OCW test with six charge weights, ranging from 48.5 gr to 51.0 gr in 0.5 gr increments (every charge weighed) . Once again, these were fired at 100 yards from a Lead Sled 3 minutes apart. It looks like 50.5 gr (target 7) is the best charge weight for OCW, but I’m concerned that I won’t be happy with the accuracy that I’ll likely get. That three shot group measures 1.375” and will likely widen as I fire more shots.
These rounds were loaded to 3.246”, just below book COL, because I recently purchased a Savage Axis II in .25-06 and want the rounds to be interchangeable in both for safety’s sake. I could try loading out farther by finding the distance to the lands in both rifles and loading inside the minimum. Or I could move on and try a different bullet or powder. I already have some 110 gr Accubonds loaded with IMR 4350 which I will try. This rifle is for my daughter who won’t be of legal age to hunt with it for three years, so I have time, but I find I have limited opportunities to get to the range and don’t want to waste time. Hunting use will also be northern whitetails and possible black bear. All the same powders seem to work here as in .300WM (one of the reasons I decided to buy the .25-06), so I’ve got the following powders that I have yet to try in .25-06: AA 4350, Hybrid 100V, IMR 4831, IMR 7977, IMR 7828 SSC.
