350WSM fairly accurate with new Leupold

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Whelen B

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Today I just put a new Leupold VariX lll 1.5x5 matte scope on my Ruger 77 "all weather" in 350WSM. I bore sighted at the range and got my first sighter shot with the new glass just on the left lower page edge at 100 yards (my scanner wasn't big enough to scan the whole target).

I then made what I thought were suitable click corrections and here are my next six succesive shots - 3 with Hornady RNs and 3 with Speer 250s - see targets below. The grid squares are 1". Pretty fair to middlin accuracy out of this shooter I think - especially since I'm not much of a deadeye benchrester even on a good day. I'm hoping to intercept some black bears and moose this fall with this combo. Just might work I'm thinkin.
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350WSM_target2_sm.jpg

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350WSM_target1_sm.jpg
 
2750fps is great for any 250gr. My Whelens only get a bit over 2500.

Both groups are great considering the low power scope used to the testing. The 250 Speers are my fave.


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Youp, either will do just nicely, but do move 'em opver to the left a little !

Looks like you're getting 358 Norma Mag/ 375 H&H - type performance with these bullets, IF the velocity figure is anywhere near correct.

67 gr. of IMR 4895 seems to be a s**t-load of powder for that case !
( In the 325 WSM for instance, 54.3 gr. with a 220 gr. bullet (considered
"book" max) is generating something like 61,400 psi. ... I know there's no direct corelation ... but geez, almost 13 grains more powder with a 30 grain heavier bullet ??? )

You gettin' any pressure sign ???

Surprised such an RL15 fan didn't start off with RL19 or RL 22 !

Cheers ! :D
 
Hi SuperCub and Beretta Boy
Thanks 4 the notes
No issues with excessive pressures. I was careful as always. I did most of my load development a month or so ago re. pressures and velocity. Now I'm testing for accuracy (my scope went south so Leupold sent me a brand new one :rockOn:).

Your right - I luvs that ReL15 (good on corn flakes -hmmm). I started with REL15 and it worked very well. Chronied velocities here - http://35cal.com/ruger77_350wsm.html

I'd probably still be workin with ReL15 more but I caught wind of a fav load of the 358Norma crowd - using 67.5 grs IMR4895 or slightly more behind a 250. Sundra has published this load and others have too - http://stevespages.com/358_5_250.html
So I tried it. My 350WSM case capacity is not too far behind the 358NormaMag (84.3 grs. water versus 88). My loads are not compressed - powder is still shakin around inside a loade round a little.

So I tried IMR4895 and it's definitely workin for me with this calibre. That 325WSM seems to cork up the pressure alot more (the expansion ratio difference I guess). I have compared case head expansion with virgin brass with a good friend's 325WSM using warmer published loads which are closer to what you describe I think. I have concluded that my loads are stout but not unsafe IN MY RIFLE. I have chronied 2799MV with a 250 with no issues whatever but have decided to rein it in to around 2750MV. What a wuss eh?
 
Sounds like you've got it all ready to go! I can't wait to see a moose with your rifle layin on it.:D Good luck.
 
SuperCub - if you cobbled up a 350 WSM in a pump gun then maybe the peanut gallery wouldn't even notice the WSM chambering thing. Nope - they'd notice and crow eatin would commence.:eek:
 
Awesome scope choice, the groups are fair to middlin' like you said and will definetely put meat in the freezer. You tweak those loads a bit, play with COL, a grain of powder plus or minus, weight the brass and you should be able to tighten up a bit. But all in all, you're good to go IMHO. :)
 
You tweak those loads a bit, play with COL, a grain of powder plus or minus, weight the brass and you should be able to tighten up a bit.
Click to expand...
Yes that could be very true. Seems two holes are almost touching and the last one low in every case. May be barrel heating.

But my sense of things today when I was touching off those shots was that the gun was probably shooting 1/2" groups and I was adding another 1/2 an inch to an inch with my adequate - but not great - shooting:(. With my older eyes and a relatively lower power scope, I think a bright orange diagonal targ dot outlined with black marker would aid to anchor the crosshairs better. I think that would more easily shrink the groups in this particular instance. That's worked for me well in the past with accurate rifles. Also the Ruger factory trigger is not the best - creepy long pull. A better aftermarket unit might help me too. I'll be testing out the targ dot theory soon.

However I'm happy the combo of rifle, ammo, and shooter SEEMS to be angle of ungulate as it is - as some here have noted already:dancingbanana:.
 
Whelen B .... glad it's all working out for you !

Didn't expect at first it would be right up there with the 358 Norma ...
but that's what you got !!!

Bambi, Bullwinkle or Yogi are in for a big surprise !. :D
 
.... whats the recoil like?
Click to expand...
Thanks 4 asking.
Recoil is similar to a 338 WinMag with top level loads. So it's not too much of a handful if you use the usual magnum rifle safeguards and shooting techniques when shooting from a bench. I throw an old padded rifle case over my shoulder to ease things there and also lay a second rifle case flat crossways under my elbows too. I guess I'm a wuss but the rough bench I shoot from dictates this approach. It ain't pretty but all this seems to help OK. Someday I would love to get some of the store bought magnum merchandise like a Past shield and especially a Simms Limbsaver for the rifle.

This gun with scope weighs 8 lbs. 4ozs. on my small postal scale. I find it quite manageable and I like shooting it. But for me it's approaching my recoil threshold - or perhaps my comfort threshold I think.

I want one....
Click to expand...
I supplied the reamer and talked a Peterboro smith (Ed V.) into doing the ### change on my 350RemMag. He did a great job as usual. I bet he could cobble up another one if you had some money to spend to reduce a perfectly good gun's resale value (wildcat chamberings do that to a gun I'm told but that never bothered me)

Regards
 
My much talked about but seldom seen 350WSM - photo "op" at the range. You can see the 25, 100 and 200 yard (little light spot way out there) target placements.
My350WSM_1.jpg

Shot this one today at 200. The 100 yard group was half the size and about 3" up.

350WSM_Ruger77_200yd_sm.jpg
 
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