Exposure
Member
O.K. I know its early for deer season talk but I am starting load development early here!
I put together my first trial loads this morning and took them to the range. Results were marginal in the accuracy department so I am calling on the wealth of knowledge here at THR to point me in the right direction.
Rifle:
1953 Swiss K31 with St. Marie clamp on mount and Tasco 3-9X scope.
Load:
PRVI once fired cases
Nosler 165 grain ballistic tips
44.0 grains IMR 4064
CCI #200 LR primers
OAL of 3.010 inches
5 Shots fell into a 2.250 in circle at 100 yards. I was disappointed, my 168 grain SMK load will shoot 3/8" inch groups from this same rifle, but it moves much slower as it is a target only load.
Velocity was good. High of 2618 and low of 2565 for a spread of only 53 FPS. I am sure this is more than enough velocity to get the ballistic tip to open. Primers were slightly flattened but extraction was still very easy with no extra effort involved. I think there is a lot room left to get this round going faster.
But my real gripe is with the rather large 2.25" group. I am thinking it is the jump to the lands that is causing poor grouping. These are the first Nosler BT's I have ever fired from this rifle so I may try some changes in seating depth.
Any of you guys have some input? I can live with a 2" deer gun but I would much prefer it to be 1" or less.
As a side note, I shot a 1/2 gallon milk just full of water with one of these loads and the results were devastating. The jug was essentially vaporized, so as I said above I am sure the velocity I am getting is more than enough to open up the ballistic tip.
I put together my first trial loads this morning and took them to the range. Results were marginal in the accuracy department so I am calling on the wealth of knowledge here at THR to point me in the right direction.
Rifle:
1953 Swiss K31 with St. Marie clamp on mount and Tasco 3-9X scope.
Load:
PRVI once fired cases
Nosler 165 grain ballistic tips
44.0 grains IMR 4064
CCI #200 LR primers
OAL of 3.010 inches
5 Shots fell into a 2.250 in circle at 100 yards. I was disappointed, my 168 grain SMK load will shoot 3/8" inch groups from this same rifle, but it moves much slower as it is a target only load.
Velocity was good. High of 2618 and low of 2565 for a spread of only 53 FPS. I am sure this is more than enough velocity to get the ballistic tip to open. Primers were slightly flattened but extraction was still very easy with no extra effort involved. I think there is a lot room left to get this round going faster.
But my real gripe is with the rather large 2.25" group. I am thinking it is the jump to the lands that is causing poor grouping. These are the first Nosler BT's I have ever fired from this rifle so I may try some changes in seating depth.
Any of you guys have some input? I can live with a 2" deer gun but I would much prefer it to be 1" or less.
As a side note, I shot a 1/2 gallon milk just full of water with one of these loads and the results were devastating. The jug was essentially vaporized, so as I said above I am sure the velocity I am getting is more than enough to open up the ballistic tip.