justgoto
Well-Known Member
I had just read a thread 3 days ago where someone linked to Ladder load testing, which had made this very inexpensive; 20 shots and I had my charge, 9 more just to make sure.
The first thing I wanted was a bullet that would go at least 700 yards with enough velocity to have some expansion... even though I am from the shot placement crowd.
I chose the 168gr A-Max for the .475 BC, and also because they expand easily.
I chose the powder that my Hornady book suggested as the best for this weight bullet, VIHT N-135. I started at 27.2 because I wanted to end my max load at 31.0 grains,
climbing .2 of a grain for each cartridge.
All other components were selected by availability.
My 100 yard target:
I came to the conclusion that I should have cleaned my barrel every so often. I also concluded that 27.8 was the optimum charge.
2 days later I had 9 cartridges with a charge of 27.8, which I took out to my 300 yard station for testing. There were 7-4mph winds from 3 o'clock at the top of the hill, the middle had about the same speed but from 12 o'clock; the bottom of the hill was calm. The humidity was unusually low. I tried shooting when the wind subsided but we all know how that works.
After the 4th shot I figured it was zeroed enough to go for my groups; I ran a wet patch through my barrel, then a dry one taking 3 shots letting my barrel cool for 15 minutes between. About the time it takes me to walk to the target, mark it, walk back and send a wet and dry patch down the bore. It was around 80 degrees when I started.
The only problem was, the wind was dying down during those shots. You can tell from my target.
Shots 5, 6 and 7; from left to right respectively.
By the time I was back from marking the last shot of my group, the wind was nonexistent and it was about 85 degrees with the sun beating down on my barrel,it was hot to the touch and wasn't cooling down with any amount of patches. (I need to make a roof over my table.)
So, I thoroughly cleaned the bore and took my last two shots, doing the ritual cooling procedure. I really wish I had brought another bullet!
So there we have it.
Winchester Model 94 30-30
Load Testing
300 Yards; 1.75", .58 MOA
VIHT N-135; 27.8 grains
Hornady 168gr A-Max
COL: 2.765 - 2 49/64; (touching lands)
Primer: CCI 200 LR
Case: Remington - shot twice
9/13/09
I'm still getting used to using a scope, so I'll be back with an update of any new developments.
I guess I should mention:
The rifle is a 30 year old Winchester Model 94 Ranger, (the cheap one,) just as I bought it.
I am using a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40.
The first thing I wanted was a bullet that would go at least 700 yards with enough velocity to have some expansion... even though I am from the shot placement crowd.
I chose the 168gr A-Max for the .475 BC, and also because they expand easily.
I chose the powder that my Hornady book suggested as the best for this weight bullet, VIHT N-135. I started at 27.2 because I wanted to end my max load at 31.0 grains,
climbing .2 of a grain for each cartridge.
All other components were selected by availability.
My 100 yard target:
I came to the conclusion that I should have cleaned my barrel every so often. I also concluded that 27.8 was the optimum charge.
2 days later I had 9 cartridges with a charge of 27.8, which I took out to my 300 yard station for testing. There were 7-4mph winds from 3 o'clock at the top of the hill, the middle had about the same speed but from 12 o'clock; the bottom of the hill was calm. The humidity was unusually low. I tried shooting when the wind subsided but we all know how that works.
After the 4th shot I figured it was zeroed enough to go for my groups; I ran a wet patch through my barrel, then a dry one taking 3 shots letting my barrel cool for 15 minutes between. About the time it takes me to walk to the target, mark it, walk back and send a wet and dry patch down the bore. It was around 80 degrees when I started.
The only problem was, the wind was dying down during those shots. You can tell from my target.
Shots 5, 6 and 7; from left to right respectively.
By the time I was back from marking the last shot of my group, the wind was nonexistent and it was about 85 degrees with the sun beating down on my barrel,it was hot to the touch and wasn't cooling down with any amount of patches. (I need to make a roof over my table.)
So, I thoroughly cleaned the bore and took my last two shots, doing the ritual cooling procedure. I really wish I had brought another bullet!
So there we have it.
Winchester Model 94 30-30
Load Testing
300 Yards; 1.75", .58 MOA
VIHT N-135; 27.8 grains
Hornady 168gr A-Max
COL: 2.765 - 2 49/64; (touching lands)
Primer: CCI 200 LR
Case: Remington - shot twice
9/13/09
I'm still getting used to using a scope, so I'll be back with an update of any new developments.
I guess I should mention:
The rifle is a 30 year old Winchester Model 94 Ranger, (the cheap one,) just as I bought it.
I am using a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40.