BIG MO,
No flame intended here, but there are some serious issues with custom turrets. They are a great idea, if.... everything remains the same, like elevation, baro pressure, temp, and shooting angle.
Let's take a 180 AB (BC, .507) @ 3000 fps load developed @ 3000' elev @ 40* temp. In ID and MT, hunting elevations can range from 3000' to 10,000'. It's not uncommon for me to hunt at elevations with a difference of 5000' or more in the same day and in a hunting season, I'll usually hunt antelope at about 3000' and elk at anywhre from 4000-9000'. Deer, anywhere form 3000-9000. Temps will range anywhere from 90* in Sep to -30* in Dec. And when you're hunting in the mountains or the canyons of the breaks your game will seldom be at the same elevation as you. Steep angle shots are a very real possibility and lower angle shots a high probability.
So back to the 180 AB. If we have a turret customized for the above info and everything but elevation remains the same but on hunting day we hunt on flat lands @ 4000' elevation our dfference in drops to 600 yds and 1000 yds respectfully are 12" and 43 " VERY big differences. This is just 1000' difference in elevation. A change of 1" in baro pressure is equivilent to about 1000' elevation change.
Ok, let's keep everything the same and shoot uphill @ a 30* angle from 3000' elevation. our drop differences @ 600 and 1000 yds are 12" and 39". Again, VERY big differences. Let's shallow out the angle to a mild 10*. At 600 and a 1000 yds, we get 2" and 9". 2" incehs isnt the end of the world but if you factor in other varriables such as rifle accuracy which amy be say .75 MOA @ 600 yds which for a factory rifle is very good as well as feild conditions, doping wind, etc., 2" might mean a bad shot. 9" of error is unacceptable, especially @ 1000 yds.
Now let's keep everything the same except temp. Let's go antelope hunting @ 80*. Temp difference isn't as crucial. At 600 and 1000 yds we get 1" and 5" differences in POI. 1 " is probably acceptable but 5" @ 1000 yds is not IMO.
So let's get extreme now. Elk hunting @ 9000', 0* temp and shooting down hill at 30*. 16" and 67" @ 600 and 1000 yds. The colder temp was actually in our favor offsetting the thinner air at higher altitude.
No way will I ever use a custom turret for LRH.
Another problem is you are stuck with one load with custom turrets. If you decide to try a different new and improved powder and/or bullet, you need a new turret @ $60 a pop, not to mention your custom turret is pretty much useless for load development of a different load. Yet another issue is that factory ammo can and will sometimes change form lot to lot. Another very good reason for handloading for LR. That's really a moot point because most factory ammo just does not have the neccessary consistancy for LR shooting.
Dont mean to step on anyone's toes, but these are the very real facts. Custom turrets only work if you shoot at the same elevation, and same baro pressure, and same temp, and same angle. That's a hard cold fact.
My $.03
-MR
BTW, last year I shot my 3 antelope on the same day in temps ranging from about 50* to 75* @ about 3000" elevation and I shot a cow elk @ about 7000' elevation and a temp of -10*. Angles were relatively flat.
