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Post by ET on Sept 2, 2022 17:42:47 GMT -5
It’s been a terrible year for getting range time and now as Autumn is here, I felt I need to get my 50-SML sighted in for a possible deer hunt. I suspect we all have a favorite load we like using. I decided to go with a 250FTX at 2300-2400f fps. Even though H4227 is discontinued I have a good amount left to use up and my modified Savage BP just lights it up. With a scope setting of 1-3/4” high at 100yds my sight never leaves the deer’s body out to 200yds. Not a stellar outing but an educational one. I’m not quite finished sighting in and need to see the response at a cooler temp again. The bore temp hovered at 86-87F and no wad used. Time to file this sheet in my log Data.  |
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Post by rambler on Sept 3, 2022 9:46:40 GMT -5
Hell I'd take that any day. Nice shooting and format.
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Post by ET on Sept 3, 2022 12:44:49 GMT -5
Rambler Thanks for the kind words. To be honest that was a poor group. If I didn’t rush that last shot (my bad) of the day It would have been a smaller 3-shot group. If I’m shooting properly the max my group should be 1” or under. Hey not every day is a perfect day. Now this day taught me about level of ambient temp I can shoot. But at the warmer temp the cooling time is extremely long even with a cooling rod. Yes, I also like the new data log format that allows precise and easy viewing. The only thing missing are velocity readings, one day. Here is the full story of my range outing in picture format.  |
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Post by reloader22 on Sept 3, 2022 16:52:55 GMT -5
Nice shooting. If for hunting you have no worries there. I would like to see you trying some .458 stuff. This was a game changer for me and guys at camp. Harv CR sabot, very tight fitting and super consistent when grouping. This trickles down to the several BP guns guys are using with BH209. We have all shot better and more consistent with this combo. Go to projectiles have been Hornady 325 FTX and 250 mono flex. They are great bullets with lots of street cred in our group of 8-9 guys.
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Post by reloader22 on Sept 3, 2022 16:57:06 GMT -5
Even back in the day, this .458 bullet thing seemed like a cure to consistency with many using this sabot with Barnes originals at .458. Happy shooting.
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Post by ET on Sept 3, 2022 19:17:33 GMT -5
Reloader 22
You’ve piqued my interest about Crush Rib sabot with a .458” bullet. Years ago, I had no luck with crush rib sabot. But since that time, I’ve learned a lot more about SML loads and in all fairness should revisit this setup. Here I also want to wait until I’m working say with Rel-7 so that others might make use of what I learn.
I still have an outing or two to complete my sighting in with my current load. At one time (many years ago) I was happy to achieve a 1-1/2” group. But with what I learned of how to shrink my groups and started producing much tighter groups, I’m not happy with say 1-1/2” group. So until next time, whenever that is?
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Post by sideshow on Sept 3, 2022 21:40:11 GMT -5
Reloader 22 You’ve piqued my interest about Crush Rib sabot with a .458” bullet. Years ago, I had no luck with crush rib sabot. But since that time, I’ve learned a lot more about SML loads and in all fairness should revisit this setup. Here I also want to wait until I’m working say with Rel-7 so that others might make use of what I learn. I still have an outing or two to complete my sighting in with my current load. At one time (many years ago) I was happy to achieve a 1-1/2” group. But with what I learned of how to shrink my groups and started producing much tighter groups, I’m not happy with say 1-1/2” group. So until next time, whenever that is? Man ET that "whenever that is" sounds Terrible !!! Sure wish your scheduleing could make some trigger time for you . My time can get limited often too though for sure . Life happens !!! Im sure if you had that time alot of good would come of it . I dont have anything SML in a 50 to offer a possible suggestion . But reloader 22 was right for my 50 bh209 barrel liking 458s better with no extra input from me . A 54 wool wad , knurl for a .004 interferance fit got Very hot loads of bh209 shooting alot better than a inch @ 100 yds vs untouched . Hopefully when its cooler some time will appear and allow you to dial it in whatever it likes best . Youll get it with half a chance . And im sure the info shared many will find usefull . Just a thought...... Have you tried those Fury no sizing required bullets with a polywad on them ?? .50 Star-tips and a wool wad ?? He offers both pre-sized . Hard to beat bullet to bore for accuracy if your barrel and load will co-operate . May just save alot of time and expense too already sized for the most part . My portable knurling set up i shared in a earlier post makes final fittment on the spot a breeze . Theyre bonded and no barrel heat issues being hot vs sabots . This could really be a win , win for you . Hope this helped...... |
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Post by ET on Sept 4, 2022 9:13:14 GMT -5
Sideshow
Suggestions are appreciated but I’m strictly a Sabot man. A lot of my limited SML knowledge is passed down (shared) from others and hope I can carry on this tradition. SML has advanced tremendously in the last few decades. But some old school principals still apply which I try to utilize and learn from. But a rule I broke was rush a shot. If I didn’t rush it my group may have been a little smaller. So, until whenever.
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Post by dannoboone on Sept 4, 2022 12:52:11 GMT -5
Many of us have strived to get sub one inch groups...better
yet those 3-5 shots touching, and we get ecstatic those few
times we get that one-hole group. At one point Ozark said that
if a person is getting only 1 1/2" groups, your POI is only
3/4" from your POA.
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Post by billc on Sept 4, 2022 13:51:59 GMT -5
Ed are you using the red or the black Harvesters? I started my 10 ML II journey with 0.452 250 gr XTPs N-110 and MMP HPH (don't recall if the 12s or 24s). Fantastic accuracy, then I couldn't get MMPs for some reason and switched to BCR and accuracy fell off significantly. Switched to 0.458 Remington 300 gr in the BCR H4198 and accuracy was back to what it was with the XTPs.
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Post by ET on Sept 4, 2022 15:25:29 GMT -5
Many of us have strived to get sub one inch groups...better yet those 3-5 shots touching, and we get ecstatic those few times we get that one-hole group. At one point Ozark said that if a person is getting only 1 1/2" groups, your POI is only 3/4" from your POA. Dannoboone I won’t argue about Ozark’s comment. But let’s take another look from another angle. Normally we start at a bench with a good rest, now let’s progress to say field shooting sticks and freehand. Now what happens to your initial group size and POI. I prefer to start with a group size an inch or less at the bench. Then my only concern in the field is shot placement. |
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Post by ET on Sept 4, 2022 15:27:16 GMT -5
Ed are you using the red or the black Harvesters? I started my 10 ML II journey with 0.452 250 gr XTPs N-110 and MMP HPH (don't recall if the 12s or 24s). Fantastic accuracy, then I couldn't get MMPs for some reason and switched to BCR and accuracy fell off significantly. Switched to 0.458 Remington 300 gr in the BCR H4198 and accuracy was back to what it was with the XTPs. Billc I’m using the standard black Harvester. I first started out using the MMP-24 sabot with good results. But when I tried the harvester sabot my results were just a bit better and more consistent. I still have some MMP-24 sabots laying around to play with. Now with the positive reviews of .458” and crush rib sabot I feel an impulse to revisit that load setup. |
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Post by jims on Sept 4, 2022 20:46:18 GMT -5
I get more consistent accuracy out of the Harvester brand. It seems I would get a flier out of the MMP brand with some regularity for whatever reason.
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Post by billc on Sept 5, 2022 8:52:45 GMT -5
Ed are you using the red or the black Harvesters? I started my 10 ML II journey with 0.452 250 gr XTPs N-110 and MMP HPH (don't recall if the 12s or 24s). Fantastic accuracy, then I couldn't get MMPs for some reason and switched to BCR and accuracy fell off significantly. Switched to 0.458 Remington 300 gr in the BCR H4198 and accuracy was back to what it was with the XTPs. Billc I’m using the standard black Harvester. I first started out using the MMP-24 sabot with good results. But when I tried the harvester sabot my results were just a bit better and more consistent. I still have some MMP-24 sabots laying around to play with. Now with the positive reviews of .458” and crush rib sabot I feel an impulse to revisit that load setup. I think the red crush ribs are for the 0.452 family of bullets. Just another variable to play with LOL! |
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Post by ET on Sept 5, 2022 9:28:18 GMT -5
Billc
That variable might help a loose fitting bore but would be too tight for mine. Add to the fact by adding a knurl (that I swear by) just .001” deep makes night and day difference for my load performance. Yes there are a lot of variables with sabot shooting but find the right combination, ooh-la-la.
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Post by sideshow on Sept 6, 2022 22:53:40 GMT -5
Billc That variable might help a loose fitting bore but would be too tight for mine. Add to the fact by adding a knurl (that I swear by) just .001” deep makes night and day difference for my load performance. Yes there are a lot of variables with sabot shooting but find the right combination, ooh-la-la. Sounds like you had the combination before and somebody changed their component(s) on you !!! Man i hate that !!! Well i suppose hot didnt help either . Youll get it . |
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Post by ET on Sept 7, 2022 9:33:09 GMT -5
Sideshow
I don’t blame load components or ambient temp for my 7th shot being outside a group that changed a ¾” group, 5th and 6th shot, to an 1-1/2” group. This is shooter error for not following a prescribed routine.
Okay it wasn’t a great grouping but having my scope set here for now will reveal a future outing with lower ambient temp. How much it will affect group size and POI? One thing I have learned is that I can shoot reasonably well with an ambient temp up to 85F. That is because of my load construction and if I allow proper cooling time. Still learning something new and from my mistakes, chuckle.
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