First batch range report

[jb27]

Hello all, yet another newbie here. Tons of good info on the forum. Just got into reloading in the past few weeks and today I went out to the range to see how i'm doing. Currently, I'm using Lee Classic Loaders (22-250, .223 and 30.06). I ended up picking up a digital scale, digital calipers, hand primer (although all the rounds i've loaded so far I used the LCL hammer method), and a few other odds and ends.

I took the 22-250 and 30.06 out today. My .06 is a TC Encore Pro Hunter. I've done the trigger work, oversized hinge pin and a few other spring upgrades from the Mike Bellm kit, so I think the gun has some potential.

I started the day with the .06 shooting a 3 shot group of factory federal 150 gr bullets. Somehow they grouped 0.72 at 100 yds. I set the bar too high, LOL. Using a lead sled to make sure I rule out my errors.

I loaded up several different loads using Nosler 165 gr ballistic tip hunters. I used IMR 4895, trying 44.0, 44.5 and 45.0 gr loads. I set my die to give me the max OAL of 3.340. Sadly, my groups were 2.59", 2.38" and 2.63", respectively for my handloads.

After I got home, I started thinking about the OAL. I measured up my federal factory rounds and they were around 3.193" on average. Being they have rounded noses, I was wondering if I should try to seat my ballistic tips so the beginning of the polymer tip is at 3.193. This would give me an OAL around 3.381". My thought is this may put the bullet in a similar position to the barrel's rifling as the factory loads.

Just wondered if this makes sense to people that know what they're doing. I will only be shooting these out of my single shot TC.

 

[ArtP]

Everyone has their priority list to get the best accuracy. In other words things to tinker with first to get the best accuracy. Mine goes like this:

Starting at the top for most affect

Bullet brand/model/weight
powder charge (book max usually isn't the most accurate)
powder brand
case prep (debur, chamfer etc.) or case brand
seating depth
Primer brand

I guess I'm saying I'd play with bullets and powder charges first.

Perhaps try to duplicate the Federal load using the same bullet, or close.

You tried three charges at pretty close intervals. I'd try two groups of three rounds 1 grain apart. Six rounds each at (hypothetical 46 grain max charge):

42
43
44
45
46

If you want to play with seating depth, you first need to find out how long of a cartridge your rifle can accept. Is the length limited by the magazine, the rifling, or perhaps leaving one caliber length of neck surface area? Once you figure that out, and that could be a whole new topic to discuss, I might start halfway between a factory round and the longest round I could make for my setup.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Hodgdon Load Data Site is telling me you are using way too little powder in your rounds. They list a starting charge of 49.0gr IMR4895 with a 165gr bullet. The low powder charge you are using might be the cause or contributing to your 2+ MOA numbers.

Welcome to the forum...

 

[41 Mag]

I would have to agree with AA on your charge weight. Once you get those longer bullets up to speed a bit more, your probably going to see them start to group a bit better. If you only have the 4895 on hand, once you get your load up a bit more, then try changing the seating a bit. You might be surprised at how well you can do.

Also, if you have any on hand, or know someone you might could get a bit from, you might try either H-4350 or IMR-4350, and bump your seating depth to around 3.250 - 3.300". With either of those two powders at around 57 - 59grs, (depending on the bullet and powder,) and either the 150 or 165gr BT's I have found this combination to be very good, to one hole accurate, in over a dozen 06's.

Good luck with your loads.

 

[jb27]

Thanks for all the advice. I will keep with the length I started with and work up to more powder as suggested. Maybe pick up some 150 gr bullets as well. I've been doing some reading and it looks like IMR 4350 would definitely be a good powder to pick up. I think i found a list on one of the posts that recommended getting a slow,medium and fast powder. In addition to the IMR 4895, I have Varget, so adding IMR-4350 would round out my supplies.

Thanks for the link to Hodgdon's site. I was using my Nosler manual which suggest a min/max powder of 44.0/48.0. They showed the 44.0 as the most accurate. Is it normal for various sources having such different info?

Do you think there would be advantage (accuracy) in switching to a single-stage press such as the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme instead of the Lee Classic Loaders? I know there would be some time savings. I like the idea of neck sizing only since I'll only be shooting my loads out of my guns. I saw on Midway's site you can order a 2 die kit that comes with the neck sizing dies.