So I went out to the range last weekend.

My big gun (the .45-70) was not shooting so well in the past ... I was hitting paper, but it was not cutting real good groups (as I expected this rifle capable of) ... at the time I was shooting:

WW Brass
Rem 300Gr bullet
60gr of H4198 (max load according to the H#27 book)
CCI primers
OAL by the book

Last Saturday before I went to the range I loaded up some Ammo:

WW Brass (I also used a flash hole reamer this time to make sure the flash hole was the same on all the brass)
Same bullet
58gr of H4198
Same primer


I was amazed at the difference.... I have a peep sight on this rifle (Williams FP rear and firesight front) and was able to shoot a 1.5" group at 50 yards (6 shots) with the 2gr less powder ... I was amazed and very happy. (The SOB still kicks like a mule even with 2gr less powder).... I will try to chrony it Sat. to see how much slower the 58gr of powder is pushing the bullet.


I also shot my dads new rifle ... A Winchester "coyote" SS bbl .223 w/ a 6-18x 50 scopes..... It was nice to shoot, no recoil.

I reload a little differently than you. I do several groups of six rounds each. In those groups I vary the powder charge, bullet type/weight, etc. Make sure you write down how you've loaded the rounds, and be sure to trim and tumble the brass.

Go to the range and fire the rounds in groups of three, with three minutes between each round. Let the rifle cool for 15 minutes before the next group of three begins. Take a pistol or two to kill time between volleys.:D

Don't touch the sights at all when you fire. Find out what load groups best for that weapon, even if it's shooting 5" low. Zero the weapon using the same method once you find the load that works for you.

I've managed a .5" group at 100 yards with my Remington 700 30.06, loaded with 165 gr Nosler Ballistic tips. A 2 1/2 pound trigger pull also helps. :D I don't have the time, patients, or attention span to get the grouping any tighter. :|

Originally posted by Ponycar_302
I reload a little differently than you. I do several groups of six rounds each. In those groups I vary the powder charge, bullet type/weight, etc. Make sure you write down how you've loaded the rounds, and be sure to trim and tumble the brass.

Go to the range and fire the rounds in groups of three, with three minutes between each round. Let the rifle cool for 15 minutes before the next group of three begins. Take a pistol or two to kill time between volleys.:D

Don't touch the sights at all when you fire. Find out what load groups best for that weapon, even if it's shooting 5" low. Zero the weapon using the same method once you find the load that works for you.

I've managed a .5" group at 100 yards with my Remington 700 30.06, loaded with 165 gr Nosler Ballistic tips. A 2 1/2 pound trigger pull also helps. :D I don't have the time, patients, or attention span to get the grouping any tighter. :|

I do the same as you .... I just wanted to shot my .45-70, so that's what I loaded up ... as it turns out I think I got lucky and found a good load (I'm happy with it)

I had my .30-06 out on Sat (Remington Sportsman 78 .... an el cheapo model 700) and tried to find a good combo

Loaded up 40 rounds using IMR 4064 ranging between 49.8 and 48.4 and fired five shot groups.... letting the barrel cool off of course. ... Did ok (2.5 - 1.5" groups) ... but not acceptable to me. I was just playing around with the 4064 ... I have a good load worked up with Accurate A3100 / 165gr bullets (SPBT) (.6"group at 100yrds). Had great consistancy within each of the groups of cartridges on saturday (with the 4064); the groups ranges from 2600fps for the light powder charge to 2800fps for the hotter ones.

LOL .5" five or six shot group with your 700 using a .30" bullet is ok I guess :) :)

I've been looking at some triggers from Natchezss.com for the Remington 700 (the 78 has the same reciever / trigger assembly as the 700, just not as nice a finish on the barrell) to replace the non-adjustable one that's on it now (it's got to be at some where around 600lbs :) )

I fired my last two shot w/ the .45-70 @ 100 yards (peep sights on it) put them both in the 6" circle.... I'm real happy with it; it is a real blast to shoot. :)


Have you taken any large game with the ballistic tips? .... I've been using Speer Grand Slams (165gr) in mine with great success the last 12 years. ... my dad uses the partitions (165gr) in his .300 win mag and likes them alot.


.... If you do not mind me asking, what power do you use most for you loades in the ought-six ... I'm thinking about trying the new 4350 from accurate arms (it is suppose to be just like IMR's ... just cheaper)?

LOL .5" five or six shot group with your 700 using a .30" bullet is ok I guess
That'd be a three shot group sir. You take too big a chance of the group spreading with a 5 or 6 shot group. Braging rights are lost in your shooters circle. :D
Have you taken any large game with the ballistic tips? .... I've been using Speer Grand Slams (165gr) in mine with great success the last 12 years. ... my dad uses the partitions (165gr) in his .300 win mag and likes them alot.
I depends on where and what you hunt. I hunt in Pennsylvania for whitetail. (Actually, I haven't hunted in years.) From what I've read, the Ballistic Tips were designed for police snipers. The solid plastic tip isn't easily deformed, which is good for down range accuracy. It's also a boat tail design, which means flatter shooting. The beauty of the design is that it's a shallow penetrator. It's designed to not leave an exit wound, or a minimal one at the least. They enter the body cavity and literally explode. It just jells the lungs and heart. My brother shot a whitetail with one. Absolutely wicked, and it only ruined one shoulder where it entered. It never exited. (Remember, they are designed for police snipers. You can't have rounds flying wild.) A white tail is no bigger than a man, so it's a perfect round.

The Grand Slams were designed for African safari. They are a deep penetrating round. My opinion is that they're too much for a whitetail. They are better suited for bear or moose sized game. They are designed to penetrate deep and expand late. They don't really start expanding on a whitetail until they pass through the body cavity and are exiting. It will still get the job done, but there are better choices in bullets.

I don't know about the Winchester Partition's. I think they're Winchester's version of the Nosler Ballistic Tip, but don't quote me on that.

Your trigger should be adjustable on the 700; mine is. Take the trigger housing out. On the front of the trigger assembly there is a tiny screw for the seer. That's what you turn. Right now it should be at about 7 lbs. I wouldn't take it any lower that 2 1/2 lbs, especially if you hunt in the cold. Cold weather will shrink the metal just enough so that the weapon will fire as soon as you flip the safety off. After you adjust the screw put a dab of clear nail polish on it to keep it from moving.

Try the Ballistic Tips. Everyone I know uses them and swears by them. Of course, my grandfather used to kill deer with .308 FMJ war surplus rounds. He'd shoot it three or four times in the heart and lungs, then track it. Never had one get away. It really comes down to shot placement.

I don't know which powders I use. I know it's IMR, but I can't remember which one. :p

:)

my .6" is with five :)

My dad uses the Noslers (partitions 165gr in the 300 win) ... they exit.

I kinda like the GS's, I hunt for meat and they do not damage as much as the Ballistic tips (and they are cheaper); my dad hit one with a 140gr ballistic tip out of his .280 and another with a 165gr BT out of the 300 win .... They can mess up a lot of meat if you hit a front shoulder (I know it's not real good meat .... but I like to make jerky out of it). I've hit 6 or 7 with the Grand Slams and not one of them left the spot they were standing when I pulled the trigger (I'm also picky at the shot I'll take too .... shot placement is key). but of course the piece of lead you use is not as significant as the ability to hit the intended target.

The best groups I shoot w/ the '06 are with a soft point boattail 165gr bullet. ... I imagine the ballistic tip is probably one of the best long range killing bullets (they will expand, even at lower velocities) ... I can only get about 1.1" with the Grand Slams (they are not boat tails), but that's more than accetable for the hunting I do.

I'll have to look at my trigger assembly again, it's been a while. .... Maybe that’s another difference between the 700 and 78.