Re: The 'Go to load' for cast bullets
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 8:58 am
You won't need top velocities for 200 yrd loads.
My 600 yrd loads go at around 1800 fps, when you are shooting at known distances a flat trajectory isn't necessary.
I would start at around 12 gns of N340 for around 1500fps a maximum for me would be 15 gns of N340 for around 1700 fps but personally I prefer a slower powder once I am getting up to 1600fps.
There is no powder/load combination that will do everything, they will all have their sweet spots where they excel.
As to grouping accuracy that will be a function of rifle/bullet/alloy (keep it soft), bullet fit (bullet should fit the freebore)/lube (not really critical at these velocities but it is getting beyond the workable parameters for tumble lubes like Xlox and 45-45-10). Good safe, load development will get you there. Get all of the above right and then all you have to do is find the velocity that the load combination and rifle likes. Gas check bullets are not necessary, or desirable, at these velocities, except perhaps for the 6.5.
Ultimately the target will tell you what your rifle likes.
With cast bullet fit is king, big diameter bullets are best combined with a soft alloy, I shoot at around 10 BHN.
My 600 yrd loads go at around 1800 fps, when you are shooting at known distances a flat trajectory isn't necessary.
I would start at around 12 gns of N340 for around 1500fps a maximum for me would be 15 gns of N340 for around 1700 fps but personally I prefer a slower powder once I am getting up to 1600fps.
There is no powder/load combination that will do everything, they will all have their sweet spots where they excel.
As to grouping accuracy that will be a function of rifle/bullet/alloy (keep it soft), bullet fit (bullet should fit the freebore)/lube (not really critical at these velocities but it is getting beyond the workable parameters for tumble lubes like Xlox and 45-45-10). Good safe, load development will get you there. Get all of the above right and then all you have to do is find the velocity that the load combination and rifle likes. Gas check bullets are not necessary, or desirable, at these velocities, except perhaps for the 6.5.
Ultimately the target will tell you what your rifle likes.
With cast bullet fit is king, big diameter bullets are best combined with a soft alloy, I shoot at around 10 BHN.