Ammo testing

[wildphil24]

I wanted to compare the accuracy of various 7.62x51 loads in two rifles.

Rifles
RFB hunter with 4x scope
M14S standard with 6x scope

Setup
200yd
Good natural light from behind
White sheet target on cardboard
Good rifle-rest on folding table and folding chair

Test
20rnd of each load
2x 5rnd grouping per rifle

Result
MKE 150gr and Iranian surplus: not accurate enough for 8"½x11" target
Norinco: all around 7"
MFS 145gr and SouthAfrican surplus: all around 6"
TulAmmo 150gr: all around 5"
AmericanEagle 150gr: M14 4.4" and 6". RFB 5.25" and 7.75".
SellierBellot 180gr: M14 4.25". RFB 5.6" and 6.25".
Austrian HP: M14 3.5". RFB 3.5" and 2.75".
PMC 147gr: RFB 2.6"
Fed PwrShk 180grSP: M14 2.25" and 3.8". RFB 5.25" and 5.6".


Day 1 Conclusion
Due to barrel harmonics, I was expecting more difference between each rifle. For example I expected load A to shoot 4MOA in a rifle and 2MOA in the other and then load B to do the opposite. In these 7 first loads the accuracy was similar in both rifles for each given load.

Tomorrow I'll try more quality loads. I'm excited to see the results.

 

[wildphil24]

Day 2
Compared 5 more loads with the same setup and procedures. This time I obtained more variations between the two rifles. I added the result in the first post.

The POI shifts from one load to the other. Much more shift in the M14.

I still have 5 more loads to try, including a Gold medal match and TAP. I expect great results with these later two but I'm afraid my scopes are becoming the weakest link. I already got some grouping below 2MOA, I'd be surprised to achieve below 1MOA with 4 and 6x scopes at 200yd.


Nice day outdoor! May this beautiful country and our freedom remain untouched for centuries.


Pictures or it didn't happen! 3 of the 4 grouping of PowerShock 180gr SP.

 

[wildphil24]

RFB favorite

Went back shooting under beautiful weather on snowy slops. Tried various old and cheap hunting loads in the RFB with cheap results.

Since I hardly printed a group below 3 MOA, I felt unsatisfied and wanted to evaluate my skill under the given situation: prone in thick snow, supported by backpack.
To do so I reached PMC ammo. As noted previously, it performed slightly better than HP surplus in that rifle with 2.6" group at 200m.
So I shot 5 rounds at 100m, on the same target where I shot 2 rounds of PMC to confirm my zero before starting the 200m tests with the other loads.

6 shots in 7/8" at 100m. With 2 in one hole and 3 in a second hole!
That must be my personal record, to conclude a disappointing shooting day.

So if you're looking to feed a RFB, I suggest you try the regular PMC load: Bronze 147gr FMJ-BT.

That same ammo did very well in a M1A loaded stainless but not in others M14.
On sale sometimes at Canadaammo, CRAFM, etc.

Next time I must figure if my cold bore shot always go 3.5 MOA off to the left...

 

[Dake21]

I like your range report. Keep it up.

 

[Kraco]