New project underway

[Zee]

Looks to be going well!! Kinda impressed.
I would say that an SD of 40 is not desirable. For long range consistency. Do you think it’s the powder or some loading process causing that?

[jkp]

The rig I’m using to seat is an RCBS Summit press and Matchmaster seating die. Until now, I’ve only used this press to size brass. It seems to be working very well for this job.
F807D7EF-3A13-4685-A230-6ECE4C3379C7.jpeg

That press looks pretty sweet. Definitely looks handy for sizing brass. Is that a custom mount you are using or did it come with it?

[Jay]

Looks to be going well!! Kinda impressed.
I would say that an SD of 40 is not desirable. For long range consistency. Do you think it’s the powder or some loading process causing that?

Thanks. I’m impressed with it so far.

Extreme spread was 40. Standard deviation was 20. On the previous loads. But a small sample size just for load work. So the idea of loading more of the best group size load to check for SD and ES. Since I only got one chronograph reading on that load.

This is a new powder to me. It’s what was available. The local Cabelas had 8 pound jugs last time I was there. Might end up grabbing one.

[Jay]

The rig I’m using to seat is an RCBS Summit press and Matchmaster seating die. Until now, I’ve only used this press to size brass. It seems to be working very well for this job.
F807D7EF-3A13-4685-A230-6ECE4C3379C7.jpeg

That press looks pretty sweet. Definitely looks handy for sizing brass. Is that a custom mount you are using or did it come with it?

That mount is from Inline Fabrication. Allows me to switch presses using one mount. I have that press, a RCBS Rockcrusher supreme and three Dillon presses that quick change on that mount.

[Jay]

Those groups are far better than I have seen at the range from anyone shooting a factory rifle and ammunition. I was starting to think the cartridge was turning into a dud. Velocities are better then I have observed at the range as well. Not my style of build, but its still impressive.

I’ve seen quite a bit of folks talking about the velocity not meeting what Hornady says it can do. Big factor there being barrel length. Factory ammo out of my 26” barrel was pretty much what Hornady says it is. My loads are just a touch faster. Seems like some people are wanting 3000 fps out of this cartridge with a 22 or 24” barrel. Not happening.

I’ll take sub 1/2” at that velocity all day. I just want consistency.

[Jay]

To be clear…

My first load was a larger sample size, since I was fouling the bore and checking zero. It was extreme spread 50.8, std dev 19.1, velocity 2890

Second load was extreme spread 39.4, std dev 17.5, velocity 2907

Third load was ES 43.1, std dev 21.5, velocity 2932

Last load tested was the sub 3/8” group, but the chronograph only got one reading.

[Jay]

Also, it lets you know you’re not shooting a 308 Winchester…

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[Chiro1989]

I was wondering about recoil at those velocities, that is about where my 300Win mag is with 180 gr. bullets

[CPJ 2.0]

Also, it lets you know you’re not shooting a 308 Winchester…

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Eat some Whataburger. You need more meat on your bones.

[mitdr774]

I’ve seen quite a bit of folks talking about the velocity not meeting what Hornady says it can do. Big factor there being barrel length. Factory ammo out of my 26” barrel was pretty much what Hornady says it is. My loads are just a touch faster. Seems like some people are wanting 3000 fps out of this cartridge with a 22 or 24” barrel. Not happening.

I’ll take sub 1/2” at that velocity all day. I just want consistency.

Those groups and velocities are impressive and what was promised by Hornady with factory rifles.

I do find it rather odd that manufactures will advertise velocities from something like a 26" barrel knowing full well that most factory rifles will be built with 22-24" barrels. I know that marketing sells, but it also pisses people off when they cant see the advertised numbers with typical off the shelf parts.

I have noticed a decent difference in velocity between my two .243 rifles with a few inches difference in barrel length (yes, I know that two barrels will not shoot the same anyways). Running my 6.5-06 through Quick Load resulted in some fairly big differences in predicted velocity between 22", 24" and 26" barrel lengths. 3050 fps actual with a 140-142gr with the 26" was a predicted 2900 fps with a 22" barrel.

When I burn out the barrel on the 6.5-06 I will probably look at getting myself a 6.5 PRC. Already got it a little too hot a little to quickly early on with load development.

[Jay]

I was wondering about recoil at those velocities, that is about where my 300Win mag is with 180 gr. bullets

It really doesn’t feel too bad. But it’s left its mark both times I’ve shot it. And did the same to my shooting buddy, even though he only shot 3 rounds out of it.

I guess since the rifle weighs 17 pounds, recoil doesn’t feel too bad. But it’s a 17 pound rifle being shoved into my shoulder.

[Chiro1989]

I use a PAST recoil pad with my Savage116, I should weigh it this weekend.

[Zee]

You need to shoot a deer with me using the rifle this year.

[Zee]

And Keith should use one of his father’s rifles.

[mitdr774]

You need to shoot a deer with me using the rifle this year.

For science of course.

[Zee]

Yes. Of course.

[Jay]

Sounds like a great idea to me..

[Jay]

I got some more ammo loaded for the PRC. Changed things up a bit.

Max book load is 59.5 grains. That load shot just over 1/2”. But the numbers on the chronograph looked pretty good. Just a small sample size. So I loaded 6 more of those. The best group was the one pictured previously at 59.7 grains. But didn’t get enough chronograph info to get any info out of. So I loaded 6 more of those.

I still have 3 rounds at 60.0 grains I didn’t shoot last time. So I loaded 6 at 59.8 grains to get info on. I also seated .010 longer this time. So that could make up a little difference with a touch more powder. And that will give me some ammo to try just short of the 60 grain load to look for pressure signs.

With enough ammo to shoot two three round groups with each charge and get a little more group and chronograph info, then take it from there.

One other thing I changed this time. Previous ammo was loaded using a scale that reads to .001 grain, trickling up to the tenth of a grain. I don’t care that the scale reads to .001. I wanted the .01 part to get as close as possible to exactly the tenth of a grain mark. Just for consistency. However, that process is very tedious and I lost interest in it quickly. So these are to the tenth according to my Chargemaster. Once I settle on a load, I’ll spend the time trickling all my handloads with the other scale.

Side note. A scale that reads to .001 is a pain in the rear. My ceiling fans make it fluctuate all over… even just breathing on it. It’s a pain…

[mitdr774]

I use a scale that goes to 0.01 and it can be frustrating at times until I remind myself that I have some wiggle room as Im not a competition shooter. It is interesting to see the difference that one kernel of powder can have depending on the powder.

[Jay]

Yeah. I’m definitely not going into tweezer territory. I just want to accurately trickle up to the tenth as close as possible. The .001 part is useless. Just want that last tenth tricked as accurate as possible. In theory my Chargemaster is + or - .01 to .05 depending on how it rounds up or down. With this powder, that’s actually a decent amount. Seems like to me, anyway…

For load work, it’s too much of a pain. Find a load, then trickle the final loads. I’m only going to load 100 rounds for it when I get there. Not something I’m going to shoot a lot of ammo with.

[Jay]

One thing to note with the PRC is getting that performance, out of a short action. For whatever reasons, I get a little chubby with high(er) performance out of short and mini actions. No need for long actions here..

[Jay]

Next step in the process complete. I think I have a load.

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Same load as the last time.

But I went a little under and a little over on the powder charge, just to see what happened. All loads this time were around 1/2 to 3/4”. This one is proving to be consistent. And the chronograph agrees.

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Consistent sub 1/2” groups with decent velocity. No signs of pressure, easy bolt lift.. I could probably push this one a little faster. But a load that consistently shoots under 1/2” and has chronograph numbers like that, I’m good. See what happens when I go from new brass to once fired brass.

I’m VERY happy with this rifle.

[GrapeApe]

NICE!!

[Jay]

I don’t know why it’s posting the extra pic of the group. That doesn’t show on my preview

[Chiro1989]

Those are good numbers for whitetail and elk.