Today i had a chance to test reloads.
The rifle is a 2nd hand Tikka M595 in.243. Trigger polished and adjusted, still needs a little less pull weight. also the bolt and firing pin polished. new stock as i dont like wood. and the barrel needed reblueing and the crown was rusty so a 11degree cut and polish sorted that. Leupold VX-3 4.5 x 14 -50mm scope with varmint ret.
Went out last week and we not happy with the bullets, nosler 70gn BT or the powder. Varget. At best i was getting 150mm at 200 meters.
Started again with Seirra 85gn BTHP, H414 powder. CCI200 primers. I thought i was back 0.25mm from the Lands but turned out i was on them. Loaded to COAL of 66.75mm then with a neck crimp taking to 67.00. think i will bump it back 0.20mm on the next batch.
today there was no rain but a little gusty wind so just had to go play.
Off the bonnet of the motor so no bench resting. one shot at my start load to check all was well within the chamber and that i was on the paper, all good so a 3 shots with my start load. Im saying 'my' start load as i could find no data for the bullets i was using with the H414. only TSX and GMX bullets.
All groups are shot at 200meters, wind is 6-12mph left to right. i did not zero or adjust anything until i had finished the groups. 3 shots then 15 minute cool down between groups.
I would not, in anyway, class myself as a good shot. a number of my friends are a lot better than me. i'm only loading for hunting and do not like wasting bullets killing paper. but i do like to check my zero every month on all the rifles.
This is the result of a few hours playing. the white dots are 15mm patch dots.
waiting for the rain and wind to drop so i can go play with a bit more range.
Im happy so far.
makes a change i hear some say..
Thanks to Camokid for the Crimp die. worked a treat.
Thanks for looking
All the best
Phil