OCW test - Shilen Ratchet 8 twist barrel - 120 Matchking

[Trent]

Took my newly barreled Savage Silhouette (110s model) out today to do some load testing with the 120gr Sierra Matchking bullets and Varget powder. Beautiful sunny day, which equated to me not being able to get my Chrony to record any velocities but the 39.0 load is probably around 2900fps. I think I am going to make a cardboard box for it sit in so that it is sheltered from the sun and add the LED light screens. Grrrr.

Here is the rifle:


Here is the OCW target. Loads were in 0.4gr increments at 38.2gr, 38.6gr, 39.0gr, 39.4gr and 39.8gr. I'm kind of stuck with this one. The 39.0gr group looks good and is flanked by two good groups with relatively identical impact points. I am not concerned with higher velocities so I may do another OCW test centered around 38.0gr to see if I can lessen recoil and keep accuracy. I'll be doing this again for the Hornady 140gr SST which is the bullet I'll be using for the 500 meter distance.

I wish there was a more defined "node" showing up. I'm going to look at 37gr - 38gr next and see what I find.

[Bob259]

Looks good Trent!! Thanks for sharing.

[44 mag]

Great to see as I am building A 6.5 creedmoor rite now. I was gonna go with the 6.5 x 47 but wanted to be A bit different. I cant wait to get mine finished and start testing. I was doing some reading and alot of people are having good success with H-4350 and also Reloader 15. Good luck cant wait to see more posts about the creedmoor. I will post when I get mine back.

[Trent]

44mag, you are going to love the Creedmoor. Have you found the Creedmoor forum yet? Lots of good info there on this cartridge. I am using H4350 for the heavier 140gr bullets and Varget for the lighter bullets. This is how Hornady is loading their match ammo so I am following their choices in powder. Evidently they switched to Varget for the lighter bullets to reduce felt recoil during longer strings of fire and still maintain accuracy.

I just finished doing OCW load development for my other 6.5 Creedmoor, a Savage LRP (14.5lbs w/scope). I settled on 41.0 grains of H4350 with the Lapua 139gr Scenar. This is 0.5gr below the factory loaded Hornady match ammo. Here is the final group where I called it good with that gun.

[kevinbear]

next time your at the range shoot five three shot groups all with the same load on the same target{different aiming points} with enough time between strings for the barrel to cool, say 10 minutes. send me the picture via email or post it on here. {the savage 110 in the picture}
kb

[Trent]

Kevin,

Those groups above are all done "round robin" style with 2 to 3 minutes between shots. The barrel never got so much as warm through the test. I went to the range today and tested 37.0, 37.2, 37.4, 37.6, 37.8 and 38.0 grains of Varget and I wasn't super impressed. All six groups were under an inch but they weren't nearly as tight as the higher charges. I think I am going to settle on the 39.0gr load which just happens to be the exact same as the Hornady factory match load and fills the case nicely. I was hoping to find a node down in the lighter charges.

I'll see what I can do on getting you the groups. I still need to work up my 140gr loads but I'll see what I can do.

[kevinbear]

Wheels are round......
kb

[44 mag]

Trent,I did find the forum and you are correct lots of good info. What primers are you using. I know alot of guys are using magnum primers with the 6.5 x 47 and I hope that I dont need to do that with the creedmoor. I am building mine on A 700 action with A lijia 8 twist barrel. Sounds like its gonna be alot of fun. Mike

[Trent]

Mike, definitely no need for magnum primers. I think the most common primer being used is the 210M (match primer). I am using standard Winchester LR Primers because that is what I had a stock of. I'm using those in both Creedmoors and they seem to work well. If I can find a "fire sale" on some match primers I may get some but until I start shooting benchrest I'm not sure I would be able to realize the gains. My big heavy Creedmoor is going to be used for F-class and maybe some long range tacticool matches. Wind will be my enemy there, not primers.

I think the 6.5x47 uses a small primer which might be why some guys are using magnums.

I loaded up some 140gr Hornady SST bullets last night for another OCW test session. I am expecting good results. You are going to love the Creedmoor. Your gun is going to be a shooter no doubt.

[Bob259]

Your correct Trent, the 6.5x47 uses the small rifle primers. I use the CCI Benchrest with good results.

[Trent]

Ok Kevin, here you go. I went to the range today to practice a little with some cardboard Chicken targets. After I was done with that I sat down at the bench and shot a series of targets for you. Three shots each with about 30 seconds between shots. I then let the barrel cool for 5 minutes between each group. I don't have enough patience to wait around for 10 minutes like you were wanting. These are all the same load, which is 39.0gr of Varget with a 120gr Matchking. Probably a little hotter than needed for silhouette but recoil is still less than my 7-08 with 130gr MKs loaded with 37gr of Varget. I think I am going to stay with this load for a while. I may drop down a few grains later if I see my brass not lasting (Hornady brass), or if I feel like I want to reduce recoil.

Target # 5 has a wild flier that I cannot explain. The recoil felt different but I don't know if it was my hold or some other factor. So I shot an extra there to prove it was a flier. Also I had one extra round so I fired that into target #6 for a total of 4 rounds in that one. Overall average group size for the 6 groups is 0.594 MOA.

I absolutely LOVE this OnTarget software for measuring my targets! http://www.ontargetshooting.com/

[kevinbear]

Thanks Trent, that software is pretty cool, is that Jeff's?

[Trent]

It is Jeff's. He is a lot smarter than Bonner says.

[Trent]

I could probably play with seating depth to try and squeeze a little more out of it but I don't think it is worth the time and barrel life for a CPT load on a silo gun.

[kevinbear]

Hey did you feel that earthquake today? And you thought you were going to just have the tornado's and posionous snakes to enjoy down yown-der in joe-ja.