Hi guys.
I bought a (very slightly) used SL8 off a member here a year or so ago, and all in all must say i love the rifle. Ive been reloading for a couple years as well, and reloaded for it from day 1. I was shooting a Weatherby Vanguard Varmint special before the SL8, and using 50, 52, 53, and 55 gn bullets in it. I playd around with a few loads for the SL8 before finding one that is just SUPER. As a matter of fact, it produces groups that out do some bolt rifles, and out of a semi auto, that is just spectacular.
Now what amazes me is that all the research I do, tells me that guys are using 60+ gn bullets, usually 69 gn bullets in their SL8's. I bought a box of 69 gn SMK a while back and play'd with different loads and never found one that was worth anything in my SL8... Initially I found that 24 gn H334 or Benchmark and a 55 gn NBT was the bullet to go with, making 3/4" groups at 100y.
Then..... I ran across the 55 gn Varmageddon's. The "cheap" Nosler bullets! BANG. Instantly my groups shrunk. Now, using 23.4 gn Benchmark and 55 gn Varmegeddon at 2.600 COAL is giving me 5 shot groups of UNDER 1/2" at 100y! I shot multiple groups under 1/2" last night with that load in my SL8, and am just blown away by that..... WHY is it that my SL8 is shooting 55 gn bullets so well? It has the stock barrel on it, and im under the impression they are all 1-7 twist, so that being said, a heavier gn bullet should be the way to go.. no?
Anyways, I thought i'd share my findings, and am hoping other SL8 owners will chime in here with their loads and findings?
Heres a sample of one of my targets from last night, there was a consistent wind of approx 12-15 kph from the side, so conditions were not ideal, but not too bad.
I bought a (very slightly) used SL8 off a member here a year or so ago, and all in all must say i love the rifle. Ive been reloading for a couple years as well, and reloaded for it from day 1. I was shooting a Weatherby Vanguard Varmint special before the SL8, and using 50, 52, 53, and 55 gn bullets in it. I playd around with a few loads for the SL8 before finding one that is just SUPER. As a matter of fact, it produces groups that out do some bolt rifles, and out of a semi auto, that is just spectacular.
Now what amazes me is that all the research I do, tells me that guys are using 60+ gn bullets, usually 69 gn bullets in their SL8's. I bought a box of 69 gn SMK a while back and play'd with different loads and never found one that was worth anything in my SL8... Initially I found that 24 gn H334 or Benchmark and a 55 gn NBT was the bullet to go with, making 3/4" groups at 100y.
Then..... I ran across the 55 gn Varmageddon's. The "cheap" Nosler bullets! BANG. Instantly my groups shrunk. Now, using 23.4 gn Benchmark and 55 gn Varmegeddon at 2.600 COAL is giving me 5 shot groups of UNDER 1/2" at 100y! I shot multiple groups under 1/2" last night with that load in my SL8, and am just blown away by that..... WHY is it that my SL8 is shooting 55 gn bullets so well? It has the stock barrel on it, and im under the impression they are all 1-7 twist, so that being said, a heavier gn bullet should be the way to go.. no?
Anyways, I thought i'd share my findings, and am hoping other SL8 owners will chime in here with their loads and findings?
Heres a sample of one of my targets from last night, there was a consistent wind of approx 12-15 kph from the side, so conditions were not ideal, but not too bad.
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