45 Pac-Nor at 200 yards

[boarhog]

By the time I started shooting the 45 Pac-Nor Saturday, the light was fading, and shadows were getting long. I wanted to try several loads at 100 yds, then, try the best at 200. Unfortunately, I had to pick a couple of loads and do the best I could. I forgot to number the targets before I took the pix, so I will say which target I used next to the number.

100 yards
Target # 1- Bottom left- 200 gr Horn. XTP, 15/56 N-110/N-130, Harv BL sabot.
AV-2906, ES-38, SD-15. 1-2906, 2-2887, 3-2925, 4-2917, 5-2896. 3= 1 5/8”, 5= 3 ½”

Target #2-Bottom right- 200 gr Horn. XTP, 5/65 N-110/N-120, Harv. BL sabot.
AV-2999, ES-38, SD-14. 1-3003, 2-3005, 3-2992, 4-3018, 5-2980.
4= 2.25" 5= 6.5"
I don’t know what happened on shot # 4, that hit 5” left of the group. The shot felt good as the trigger broke, and the speed didn’t show a failed sabot. A head scratcher.

Neither of these 100 yd groups was nearly as good as I have shot before, especially the 5/65 N-110/N-120 duplex. I have no excuse except for being pretty tired. When I packed up, I noticed piece of one of the Lead Sled bolts laying on the Scoot Board. I don’t know if that had anything to do with my poor shooting, and also have no idea when it actually broke during the long shooting session.

I went ahead and moved the target frame to the 200 yd line. Since I was running out of light anyway, I didn’t take the time to re-align the chronograph screens, so there are no times for the 200 yd shots. Not bragging groups, but at least I cut paper!

200 yds.

Target #3- Top right- 200 gr Horn XTP, 5/65 N-110/N-120, Harv. BL sabot
Shot 1 was quite a bit high, but I didn’t adjust my scope or aiming point.
4= 4.5”, 5= 7.25”.

Target # 4- Top Left- 195 gr Barnes EX flat base, 6/65 N-110/N-120, Harv. BL sabot.
3= 2.25”, 4= 4.5” shot # 5 blew the sabot. I was out of 5 gr booster loads, so I used 6gr as booster. I felt like it was pushing max, and the blown sabot on the last shot proves I was probably right.

[Richard]

Robert..........Your 100 yard groups are a bit on the large side. Maybe try backing down a bit on the load. Try the 17/56...N-110/N-130. That has been a killer load for Herman and I. I would have thought the 5-65 load would have shot better?
At 200, outside of the "flyers", those groups are right in line with the 100 yard groups. I have not found the XTP's to shoot as well at 200 and 300 as the SST's or the 195 Barnes MZ's.
Tomorrow I am going to try a 7/65..........5744/N-130 load.

Had you figured out where that screw came from? Did it effect the stability of the rest? I have completely removed the windage adjustment of the front rest. (it was too loose for me?) I screwed it permanently to its base. I do my windage adjustment via the rear leg of the sled. I have left some leeway in the channel for my rear leg. Once my sled and "scoot" board is lined up on the target, I "C" clamp it to the bench. I have enough windage to cover the width of my target board.
Richard

[Dave W]

56gr H4198 That load has shot well in a number of guns with the 200 XTP, velocity in the mid 2500's. One of Dave D's pet loads.

[boarhog]

Richard,
The screw/bolt that broke was the one on the right side of the front rest that is cammed down with a black bar. The rig loosens and tightens the front rest assembly on the center rail pipes, so the rest can be positioned where you want on the rifle fore end. The flat end that slides into a slot broke off of the bolt.

I have been gradually building up to your 17/56 N-110/N-130 load. I started with 12/52 some time ago and the load I shot Sunday was 15/56, 2 grains less than yours on the booster. I have shot better groups with the 5/65 N-110/N-120 load using 200 gr XTP, 195 & 175 gr Barnes, and 225 &250 gr FTX. I don't know why I shot so bad. I'm having some trouble getting used to the accu-trigger. I think I have it adjusted to as lite as possible, but it still seems to take more force than I like, and I can't always tell when it will break. I figured I just needed to shoot enough to get a feel for it.

[larry]

Jun 7, 2010 21:07:40 GMT -5 Dave W said:

56gr H4198 That load has shot well in a number of guns with the 200 XTP, velocity in the mid 2500's. One of Dave D's pet loads.

Good advice from Dave W. My 45 is unbelieveably accurate using 57.5 H4198 and 200sst.

[boarhog]

I have shot 4198 a little, from 58-62 gr. Seems like my best accuracy was with 62, but I'll have to check my log to be sure. Too many dead brain cells, and I may be thinking about some loads I tried in 50 cal. Maybe I need to try going down from 58?

[Chris Champion]

62 or 63g H4198 are my favorite loads with the 195g Barnes and 200 SST out of my 45 in cool weather. They shoot in the 2740 to 2760 fps range with consistently MOA or better accuracy out to 300 yds.