I have a relatively new CZ-452 Varmint 17HMR, now scoped with Bushnell 6-18X50mm and have gone through the ritual of shooting 1, cleaning, shooting 1, cleaning etc. I now have two sessions shooting off a front rest, rear bag at 100 yards, by laser and came dangerously close to my goal of 2 x 5-round groups at MOA accuracy. .095", 1.195", .093" and 1.150" using a optical gauge and digital calipers. This with Remington 17 gr. Accuutip-V Boat tail ammo. You have no doubt already figured out I am geeky about the techno end of shooting.
Not too long ago, I got really anal about shooting accuracy with my air rifles and purchased a GemPro jeweler's digital scale which measures to the nearest 0.05 grains to weigh and sort pellets for target shooting -- another stort . . .
I received a brick of 500 Rem 17 gr. Accutip-V BT and out of curiosity, precisely weighed 100 cartridges with weights, average, and distribution attached.
I understand that the case, primer, powder charge, and bullet weight all contribute to the total cartridge weight. But that said, all other things equal, does it make sense to choose 5 rounds of exactly the same weight to attempt to improve the 5-shot groupings, or is this just a boondoggle? With average cartridge weight, 40.05 gr, std dev 0.49%, or 2 std devs of just under 1% by weight.
Sorted the rounds by 5's in groups from 39.95 gr through 40.30 gr, dropped them back in the plastic racks and set aside the odds and left overs of less than 5-shot groups, so that I now have 16 x 5-round cartridge groups that weigh the same within 0.05 grains tolerance. Plan to shoot again over the July 4th weekend, but I have no idea whether this, compared to wind conditions and my general shooting ability will make any difference at all.
Do any of you knowledgeable folks, perhaps those who carefully hand load your own target rounds have any insights or comments?
PS: I have an F1 Chrony - chronograph I use for air rifle / pellets, but I kind of doubt it will be of any use at muzzle velocities arond 2500 fps. Anyone know?
Not too long ago, I got really anal about shooting accuracy with my air rifles and purchased a GemPro jeweler's digital scale which measures to the nearest 0.05 grains to weigh and sort pellets for target shooting -- another stort . . .
I received a brick of 500 Rem 17 gr. Accutip-V BT and out of curiosity, precisely weighed 100 cartridges with weights, average, and distribution attached.
I understand that the case, primer, powder charge, and bullet weight all contribute to the total cartridge weight. But that said, all other things equal, does it make sense to choose 5 rounds of exactly the same weight to attempt to improve the 5-shot groupings, or is this just a boondoggle? With average cartridge weight, 40.05 gr, std dev 0.49%, or 2 std devs of just under 1% by weight.
Sorted the rounds by 5's in groups from 39.95 gr through 40.30 gr, dropped them back in the plastic racks and set aside the odds and left overs of less than 5-shot groups, so that I now have 16 x 5-round cartridge groups that weigh the same within 0.05 grains tolerance. Plan to shoot again over the July 4th weekend, but I have no idea whether this, compared to wind conditions and my general shooting ability will make any difference at all.
Do any of you knowledgeable folks, perhaps those who carefully hand load your own target rounds have any insights or comments?
PS: I have an F1 Chrony - chronograph I use for air rifle / pellets, but I kind of doubt it will be of any use at muzzle velocities arond 2500 fps. Anyone know?
Attachments
Last edited:
