falldowngoboom
Member
I've been having trouble figuring out a non-lead hunting load (mulies and pigs) and was hoping some of the more experienced guys and gals out there could give me some advice...
Using Hornady 165g GMX bullets, I've worked up loads with Varget and IMR 4320 (both from 47.5 to 51.0g in 0.5g increments). I shot 5-shot groups and managed to find 1.25" groups with both powders, but I don't have a lot of confidence in those loads because they're flanked by really poor groups. For example, with the 4320, I found a 1.26" group @ 48.0g but 3.18" group @ 47.5g and 3.28" @ 48.5g. Similar findings with the best Varget group.
I know my gun is capable of much better and with the same powders. Using Nosler CC Match 168g bullets, I've gotten 0.84" and 0.92" groups @ 50.0 and 50.5g, respectively. With Varget, 1.00" and 1.22" groups @ 50.0 and 50.5g.
At this point, I'm wondering if I should be trying different powders or a different bullet. On hand, I have some W760 and IMR 4350 (probably too slow). The W760 turned in 1.25" groups with the Noslers. Should I look to some Nosler E-tips or Barnes bullets? Or IMR 4895 or 3031 or something else? I'm unsure of the best (and most economical) way to go here. Is it more likely that the two powders I've tried just aren't right for the GMXs or that my gun just doesn't like those bullets?
I'm not looking for the absolute best combo, just something that will give me similar performance as the Noslers 168g CCs in a non-lead bullet. I'd be happy with a recipe that gave me 1.25" groups all the time.
*Rifle is a Marline XL7. Twist rate is 1:10. Cases are mixed winchester and remington, fire-formed and trimmed to same case length. Seating depth is 0.01" off the rifling, though I haven't played around too much with seating depth.
Using Hornady 165g GMX bullets, I've worked up loads with Varget and IMR 4320 (both from 47.5 to 51.0g in 0.5g increments). I shot 5-shot groups and managed to find 1.25" groups with both powders, but I don't have a lot of confidence in those loads because they're flanked by really poor groups. For example, with the 4320, I found a 1.26" group @ 48.0g but 3.18" group @ 47.5g and 3.28" @ 48.5g. Similar findings with the best Varget group.
I know my gun is capable of much better and with the same powders. Using Nosler CC Match 168g bullets, I've gotten 0.84" and 0.92" groups @ 50.0 and 50.5g, respectively. With Varget, 1.00" and 1.22" groups @ 50.0 and 50.5g.
At this point, I'm wondering if I should be trying different powders or a different bullet. On hand, I have some W760 and IMR 4350 (probably too slow). The W760 turned in 1.25" groups with the Noslers. Should I look to some Nosler E-tips or Barnes bullets? Or IMR 4895 or 3031 or something else? I'm unsure of the best (and most economical) way to go here. Is it more likely that the two powders I've tried just aren't right for the GMXs or that my gun just doesn't like those bullets?
I'm not looking for the absolute best combo, just something that will give me similar performance as the Noslers 168g CCs in a non-lead bullet. I'd be happy with a recipe that gave me 1.25" groups all the time.
*Rifle is a Marline XL7. Twist rate is 1:10. Cases are mixed winchester and remington, fire-formed and trimmed to same case length. Seating depth is 0.01" off the rifling, though I haven't played around too much with seating depth.