Powderfinger61
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
With my luck it seems I always have a couple issues with my target rifles before I get to see good groups, whether it be brass, scope, bullets, front / rear rest and even swivel studs can be an issue. I have a total of 40 factory and 40 hand loads through the rifle. I've been reading on another forum and came up with 30 g Varget behind 105g Berger. This load should be the benchmark for a 1/8 twist rifle. With my luck I barely got 1" groups.
I was at the range yesterday and after another dismal performance I was discussing the issues with some friends and was suggested I try different grain bullets. Although I was apprehensive because the 40 factory rounds didn't fair any better as they were the Lapua 90gr pills. Determined and not really wanting to claim the Nightforce scope or the rifle had issues, I went back to the bench and used Hodgdon reloading site for the 90g recipe and chose 29 gr Varget powder. My first 5 shot group was a steady group of 1", which was 100% better than previous. I settled my breathing with a light hold on the Savages large ambidexterous palm swell. Not wanting to get too excited as I proceeded through the 2nd string I finished off with a respectable 1/2" cluster. Now I'm smilling knowing its not the equipment. I do consider myself a very good reloader and feel confident in my ability to produce accurate ammo, now the hardest part is the actual shooting. Patience
My equipment is not custom but I feel it's definitely capable of performing very well.
And my quest continues to shoot better each time out to the range and to extend my distances accurately.
I was at the range yesterday and after another dismal performance I was discussing the issues with some friends and was suggested I try different grain bullets. Although I was apprehensive because the 40 factory rounds didn't fair any better as they were the Lapua 90gr pills. Determined and not really wanting to claim the Nightforce scope or the rifle had issues, I went back to the bench and used Hodgdon reloading site for the 90g recipe and chose 29 gr Varget powder. My first 5 shot group was a steady group of 1", which was 100% better than previous. I settled my breathing with a light hold on the Savages large ambidexterous palm swell. Not wanting to get too excited as I proceeded through the 2nd string I finished off with a respectable 1/2" cluster. Now I'm smilling knowing its not the equipment. I do consider myself a very good reloader and feel confident in my ability to produce accurate ammo, now the hardest part is the actual shooting. Patience
My equipment is not custom but I feel it's definitely capable of performing very well.
And my quest continues to shoot better each time out to the range and to extend my distances accurately.
