Canadian_Zuk
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Pickering, Ontario
My most accurate load with my SL-8 were with 62gr Speer projectiles and Benchmark powder, always MOA or under regardless of the time of year.
SL8 Reloading
- Thread starter hend238
- Start date
Thread revival
Been threatening to join the SL8 club for a while as I have an itch for something HK, so I spotted one that fitted the bill on the EE and now its on its way to me
So, I`m wondering what projectiles I should purchase to reload for the SL8
I have 55gr Campros but this thread seems to indicate that SL8s like heavier projectiles - to clarify I will be using Remington brass, CCI #400 small rifle primers and H335
Has anyone used similar and if so what weight projectiles worked?
Been threatening to join the SL8 club for a while as I have an itch for something HK, so I spotted one that fitted the bill on the EE and now its on its way to me
So, I`m wondering what projectiles I should purchase to reload for the SL8
I have 55gr Campros but this thread seems to indicate that SL8s like heavier projectiles - to clarify I will be using Remington brass, CCI #400 small rifle primers and H335
Has anyone used similar and if so what weight projectiles worked?
Most SL8's I've played with so far (I've owner 3 and have friends with them) like 60gr Nosler Varmageddon over CFE223.
I don't think I've tried H335 in an SL8 yet, the Nosler's over CFE has been my goto with these rifles for a few years.
I don't think I've tried H335 in an SL8 yet, the Nosler's over CFE has been my goto with these rifles for a few years.
Use the 60 Gr nosler varmegeddons, Epic Accuracy.
I used the orange tipped ones.
Were they for sure 60gr Nosler Varmegeddons?
I`ve look the Nosler site and can't find any 60gr in the Varmageddon range - only 55gr and 62gr
https://www.nosler.com/varmageddon-bullet/
Attachments
Last edited:
My bad they are the Varmint Bullets
https://www.nosler.com/ballistic-tip-varmint-bullet/
All I know is they shoot really well I think I have 25 gr of CFE 223 behind them, I'll check at home tonight though
Hey everyone. It's been a while now since I've started this thread and I've completed some exhaustive testing with my SL8. What I've discovered, at least with mine, is that the SL8 is very touchy. Just a tenth of a grain or two change in powder charge makes a huge difference in group size. I'm talking 1/2" to 3/4" increase or decrease depending how you look at it. The accuracy nodes, or window, are very small.
I've been searching for a powder/bullet combo that will consistently shoot at least 1/2 moa at 100 yards. I'm aiming for 3/8" groups but that's proving difficult but not impossible. At least I haven't given up yet. While I've had some luck with 4 out of 10 bullets types I've tried, only 1 type will consistently shoot sub 1/2 moa and approach my 3/8" goal. The Sierra 63g SMP Varmint over 22.2g of N130. That bullet shoots well with other powders I've tested too. It's remarkable actually how well it shoots compared to anything else. With exception of the 64g Berger Varmint, 60g Nosler Ballistic Tip and 69g Sierra Match King, all other bullets tested won't consistently shoot better than 1 moa if I'm honest with myself and what I see on the target. Sure, I'll get some good groups here and there but when looking at all the targets as a whole, it's dismal. Those other 3 will shoot anywhere between .500" to .800" but their inconsistencies irritate me. The worst are 70g Speer Varmint and 62g Nosler Armageddon. 1.5" to 2" groups.
A few fun facts that I've noticed about my rifle is that it almost always shoots groups (3 shot) that look like a left leaning triangle. Two shots close together to form the base of the triangle and one higher up and to the left. Unless the load is a good one, or at least approaching an accuracy node, the group forms that same triangle every time. Also, the better the load, the closer the brass piles up together on the ground. My best loads will stack the brass on top of each other in a nice neat little pile. The worst loads will have the brass strewn all over the place. Lastly, the heavier the bullet weight, the further forward the brass is ejected. Loads with heavier bullets eject the brass closer to the shooter's 2:00 position and as bullet weights get lighter, the brass ejects closer and closer to the 4:00 position.
There are more powders I haven't tried and which should be, many of which you all listed above, but for now and to get ready for gopher season, I'm going to test my 63g Sierra load at longer distances. Out to 500. I'm hoping it will shoot minute of gopher at least out to 300 yards. Too much to hope for? Perhaps.
I've been searching for a powder/bullet combo that will consistently shoot at least 1/2 moa at 100 yards. I'm aiming for 3/8" groups but that's proving difficult but not impossible. At least I haven't given up yet. While I've had some luck with 4 out of 10 bullets types I've tried, only 1 type will consistently shoot sub 1/2 moa and approach my 3/8" goal. The Sierra 63g SMP Varmint over 22.2g of N130. That bullet shoots well with other powders I've tested too. It's remarkable actually how well it shoots compared to anything else. With exception of the 64g Berger Varmint, 60g Nosler Ballistic Tip and 69g Sierra Match King, all other bullets tested won't consistently shoot better than 1 moa if I'm honest with myself and what I see on the target. Sure, I'll get some good groups here and there but when looking at all the targets as a whole, it's dismal. Those other 3 will shoot anywhere between .500" to .800" but their inconsistencies irritate me. The worst are 70g Speer Varmint and 62g Nosler Armageddon. 1.5" to 2" groups.
A few fun facts that I've noticed about my rifle is that it almost always shoots groups (3 shot) that look like a left leaning triangle. Two shots close together to form the base of the triangle and one higher up and to the left. Unless the load is a good one, or at least approaching an accuracy node, the group forms that same triangle every time. Also, the better the load, the closer the brass piles up together on the ground. My best loads will stack the brass on top of each other in a nice neat little pile. The worst loads will have the brass strewn all over the place. Lastly, the heavier the bullet weight, the further forward the brass is ejected. Loads with heavier bullets eject the brass closer to the shooter's 2:00 position and as bullet weights get lighter, the brass ejects closer and closer to the 4:00 position.
There are more powders I haven't tried and which should be, many of which you all listed above, but for now and to get ready for gopher season, I'm going to test my 63g Sierra load at longer distances. Out to 500. I'm hoping it will shoot minute of gopher at least out to 300 yards. Too much to hope for? Perhaps.
Last edited:
....an update for anyone who cares. My 63g Sierra SMP load will shoot 5 shot groups 2.0" +/- consistently at 300 yards. Good enough for gophers! For interest sake I tried a 75g Berger VLD load that showed a little promise at 100 yards. Group after group at 300 yards measured 1.5". I'm very pleased with that. Not a very good varmint bullet though, and expensive, but will still get the job done. Time to test out to 500.
Thanks Doc.
