Savage 10ml II and Barnes 290 gr TEZ Bullet --- Help
Apr 26, 2015 19:59:30 GMT -5
Post by mustang65 on Apr 26, 2015 19:59:30 GMT -5
Trying to get a good load with Barnes 290 gr TEZ and VV N120 powder. I went to the range today and was a little disappointed. Set up was as follows:
- 2003 10ML II with aftermarket Timney Trigger
- Breech plug cleaned and hole drilled out with 5/32 bit
- Lehigh vent liner with less than 50 shots thru it
- Winchester 209 primers
- Spinjag attached to ramrod
- 100 yd range
- Temp was 53 degrees with a 10 mph crosswind and overcast sky
- Bullet used was Barnes 290 grain TEZ
- Sabot used was MMP HPH12 (tried a few Harvester red crush sabots as well but they were looser going down)
- VV N120 powder (tried 57 gr, 58 gr, 59 gr & 60 gr)
- Best group was 2.5" (60 gr and velocity ranged 2302 - 2376 fps)
- Most consistent velocity was using 59 gr (2287 - 2298 fps but group was 3")
- Had a few fliers 3-4" out when I didn't give the barrel a few minutes rest between shots. Typically, I waited approx 2 minutes between shoots in a three shot group. After the three shots, I would wait 5-10 minutes before next shooting next group. I chronographed each shot and typically the velocity ranged 30-40 fps within each three shot group. I weighed each load with an RBCS balance scale so there wasn't much variation. I did notice that some of the bullet/sabot combos could be loaded with one hand while others required two hands. I used the same format when loading the bullets and applied the same pressure to seat the bullet. The sabots that loaded easier shot slower which was to be expected. Additionally, Red Crushed sabots loaded easy too and shot slower and more erratic.
I found several sabots and most retained all petals and looked ok.
Prior to today, I pretty much shot Hornady 300 gr SST with MMP HPH 12 sabot and had good accuracy and end results for the last 10 years taking over 75 deer from 15 - 240 yards. However, I am looking to get away from lead bullets and thought the TEZ would be good combo but need to find the right set up. Any thoughts on how I can improve my accuracy with this particular bullet/sabot combo or how I can get a more consistent feeling loading the bullet/sabot combo?
- 2003 10ML II with aftermarket Timney Trigger
- Breech plug cleaned and hole drilled out with 5/32 bit
- Lehigh vent liner with less than 50 shots thru it
- Winchester 209 primers
- Spinjag attached to ramrod
- 100 yd range
- Temp was 53 degrees with a 10 mph crosswind and overcast sky
- Bullet used was Barnes 290 grain TEZ
- Sabot used was MMP HPH12 (tried a few Harvester red crush sabots as well but they were looser going down)
- VV N120 powder (tried 57 gr, 58 gr, 59 gr & 60 gr)
- Best group was 2.5" (60 gr and velocity ranged 2302 - 2376 fps)
- Most consistent velocity was using 59 gr (2287 - 2298 fps but group was 3")
- Had a few fliers 3-4" out when I didn't give the barrel a few minutes rest between shots. Typically, I waited approx 2 minutes between shoots in a three shot group. After the three shots, I would wait 5-10 minutes before next shooting next group. I chronographed each shot and typically the velocity ranged 30-40 fps within each three shot group. I weighed each load with an RBCS balance scale so there wasn't much variation. I did notice that some of the bullet/sabot combos could be loaded with one hand while others required two hands. I used the same format when loading the bullets and applied the same pressure to seat the bullet. The sabots that loaded easier shot slower which was to be expected. Additionally, Red Crushed sabots loaded easy too and shot slower and more erratic.
I found several sabots and most retained all petals and looked ok.
Prior to today, I pretty much shot Hornady 300 gr SST with MMP HPH 12 sabot and had good accuracy and end results for the last 10 years taking over 75 deer from 15 - 240 yards. However, I am looking to get away from lead bullets and thought the TEZ would be good combo but need to find the right set up. Any thoughts on how I can improve my accuracy with this particular bullet/sabot combo or how I can get a more consistent feeling loading the bullet/sabot combo?
