only to finally discover it was in a wierd forgotten pocket on my range bag…
Whenever I get back from a significant range session, I always empty everything out, resort, and reload. It's helped that I consolidated most everything to my rolling toolbox thingy, but there are still small tools and things that are separate and stored elsewhere. I actually need to gut my shelf in the reloading room and sort through everything there... I've got a number of 'mystery boxes' up there, now, that I need to sort out. It never ends...
Finally recovered everything from Nevada. I did make it back out to the range one more time... the winds were horrendous the 3 days prior, so I picked the last day I had available (Saturday) and just went for it, and it turned out a pretty good shooting day. My .308 ladders for the Savage 10TAC turned in The Winner... the 168grn SMK and IMR4064 (1" at 130yds) and a surprise 2nd place... that is TAC with the 168grn Nosler CC. For the most part, TAC couldn't keep up with IMR4064, which disappointed me, because I really wanted to like TAC there. My interest in TAC is starting to wane a little... it's a good substitute for IMR4064, but in the end, it's not producing the results IMR4064 does with ease. It's a great blasting powder, however, for both the 7.62mm M1a, and duplicating M193 or M855 loads for the AR.
I did have one big disappointment... my test ladders with the 169grn SMK were obviously over pressure. The 169grn SMK is the replacement... or perhaps suppliment... to the 168grn SMK. It's longer than the 175grn SMK, and has a better BC and a 'closed tip' design... but using the instructions I got from Sierra 'load to 2.820" and use 168grn SMK data' was wrong. At starting loads I got insane pressures... enlarged primer pockets and ejector prints... with both IMR4064 and TAC. 5 rounds and I was done with those. I have them setting on the bench to pull and evaluate. It's obvious 2.820" is too long for my Savage. Reading on another forum, there is a barrel maker that is coming up with reamer measurements for just the 169grn SMK, and they are considerably different than any other 168grn BTHP. I have some test loads worked up with the bullet seated to a more traditional 2.800" but with reduced charges so I can at least evaluate them in my rifle.
Found a good load for the M1 Garand... the 168grn SMK and, you guessed it... IMR4064. It's one of the old NRA loads, so no surprise there.
The TAC vs H335 shootout in the AR turned out reasonable results... they were about equivalent at identical charges, with either the 62grn Hornday BTHP or FMJ. Win win. I still have some of those ladders left to test with my DMR to see if I can find any glaring differences there.
It was still too windy to set up the chronograph... so no additional chrono readings. That Garmin chrono keeps creeping to the top of the To Get List every time I go shooting...
Uncased everything, and sorted all the brass. I've got the .45ACP brass tumbling now, and I'll run the .308 brass next. Put up all the empty ammo boxes, resorted some of the ammo cans. Got a pile of dirty guns to clean.
