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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
New gun, how do I find a LR load in 2 weeks?
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<blockquote data-quote="Fiftydriver" data-source="post: 224713" data-attributes="member: 10"><p>In my experience, I have only seen one 25 cal rifle that shot any bullet heavier then 100 grains really well. By that I mean close to 1/2 moa. That was a 257 Roberts in a Ruger M77 if you can believe it with the Hornady 117 gr.</p><p> </p><p>I have yet to see any 25-06 or 257 Wby that will consistantly shoot a heavy 25 cal bullet under 1 moa all the time. Now 100 gr bullets, thats a different story, many will shoot a 100 gr bullet very close to 1/2 moa with the right loads if there are no mechanical issues with the rifle.</p><p> </p><p>I have also noticed that the 25 cals tend to be as finicky as any when it comes to bullet designs, at least in factory rifles. I have developed loads for several 25-06 and 257 rifles that would shoot the 100 gr Flat Base bullets great and shoot the 100 gr boattails terribly!!! </p><p> </p><p>As far as accuracy goes. If a bullet shoots well at 100-200 yards but goes to heck at longer ranges, its likely a stability issue. Even if your seeing round bullet holes. If you are seeing nose tears on the paper, you have severe instability. There are many variations of instability. Some so minor that you can only tell by poor groups at long range or dramatically lower BC then there should be with that bullet.</p><p> </p><p>I have given you some tips already for your rifle.</p><p> </p><p>For me, powder choice means very little with accuracy. By that I mean, if you are getting very poor accuracy with one powder, changing the powder will most likely not improve accuracy to the point it will save the day.</p><p> </p><p>If you have a good load but think the rifle will get you a bit better accuracy, then testing other powders to tweak your load may improve groups but thats only when starting with a bullet that your rifle likes. If your rifle does not like a bullet, does not matter what you put behind it, it will not shoot, period.</p><p> </p><p>Again, I would load up increasing powder charge a grain at a time until you topped out in pressure, then back off a grain or two to a safe comfortable top working load and test at long range. I would shoot at 350 yards, if they do not group well at this range the rifle does not like them.</p><p> </p><p>I have also found that with a finicky rifle, generally, a soft bullet will shoot better then a hard bullet..... By soft I mean a conventional cup jacketed, lead core bullet design. By hard bullet I mean an solid or partitioned bullet. A Ballistic tip or accubond is what I would call a semi hard bullet because of their very thick base which will not bump up under pressure.</p><p> </p><p>If I load up a bullet and shoot at longer range and it does not shoot, I pass on that bullet because if your using an appropriate burn rate powder to start with, changing the powder will likely not make alot of difference down range as far as accuracy goes.</p><p> </p><p>Hate to say it, but if the 130 gr bullets are not getting you the accuracy you want, go to a lighter bullet, I would say try the 100 gr bullets. I know you want to be able to shoot to longer ranges but if a rifle will not shoot the long range bullets, it really does not matter what your shooting out of it. A 100 gr bullet will give you 500 yards easily on pronghorns and most likely on mule deer as well.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fiftydriver, post: 224713, member: 10"] In my experience, I have only seen one 25 cal rifle that shot any bullet heavier then 100 grains really well. By that I mean close to 1/2 moa. That was a 257 Roberts in a Ruger M77 if you can believe it with the Hornady 117 gr. I have yet to see any 25-06 or 257 Wby that will consistantly shoot a heavy 25 cal bullet under 1 moa all the time. Now 100 gr bullets, thats a different story, many will shoot a 100 gr bullet very close to 1/2 moa with the right loads if there are no mechanical issues with the rifle. I have also noticed that the 25 cals tend to be as finicky as any when it comes to bullet designs, at least in factory rifles. I have developed loads for several 25-06 and 257 rifles that would shoot the 100 gr Flat Base bullets great and shoot the 100 gr boattails terribly!!! As far as accuracy goes. If a bullet shoots well at 100-200 yards but goes to heck at longer ranges, its likely a stability issue. Even if your seeing round bullet holes. If you are seeing nose tears on the paper, you have severe instability. There are many variations of instability. Some so minor that you can only tell by poor groups at long range or dramatically lower BC then there should be with that bullet. I have given you some tips already for your rifle. For me, powder choice means very little with accuracy. By that I mean, if you are getting very poor accuracy with one powder, changing the powder will most likely not improve accuracy to the point it will save the day. If you have a good load but think the rifle will get you a bit better accuracy, then testing other powders to tweak your load may improve groups but thats only when starting with a bullet that your rifle likes. If your rifle does not like a bullet, does not matter what you put behind it, it will not shoot, period. Again, I would load up increasing powder charge a grain at a time until you topped out in pressure, then back off a grain or two to a safe comfortable top working load and test at long range. I would shoot at 350 yards, if they do not group well at this range the rifle does not like them. I have also found that with a finicky rifle, generally, a soft bullet will shoot better then a hard bullet..... By soft I mean a conventional cup jacketed, lead core bullet design. By hard bullet I mean an solid or partitioned bullet. A Ballistic tip or accubond is what I would call a semi hard bullet because of their very thick base which will not bump up under pressure. If I load up a bullet and shoot at longer range and it does not shoot, I pass on that bullet because if your using an appropriate burn rate powder to start with, changing the powder will likely not make alot of difference down range as far as accuracy goes. Hate to say it, but if the 130 gr bullets are not getting you the accuracy you want, go to a lighter bullet, I would say try the 100 gr bullets. I know you want to be able to shoot to longer ranges but if a rifle will not shoot the long range bullets, it really does not matter what your shooting out of it. A 100 gr bullet will give you 500 yards easily on pronghorns and most likely on mule deer as well. [/QUOTE]
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New gun, how do I find a LR load in 2 weeks?
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