first 200yd with 45 SMI

[moto357]

want to begin by saying i probably dont post enough here, considering as much as im lurking and learning. that being said, i thought i'd post this since it was an unexpected turn of events that led to me being rather happy.

my intent yesterday was to shoot the 200sst in a blue harvester at 200yds for a group or two. i haven't shot sabots a lot with this gun, but when i have, been extremely pleased. last outing with 63gr of reloader 7 blew sabots, so yesterday i wanted to try and see how 60gr of reloader 7 would perform. same problem.. so no groups at all with the 200sst.

not wanting to pack up and go home so quick, i remembered i had some vials of 55gr H4895 left from duplexes, and some sized and knurled 300gr xtp's. realizing this is a low pressure load, just to see if there was any consistancy i shot 3 at 100 yards and although hitting low went into about an inch. good enough i said, and sent the last 5 at 200yd. due to a dip the distance was actually 210, but i doubt that mattes much. one loaded super easy, maybe 5lbs all the way down once started. i didn't have a chrony or spotting scope, so i cannot determine for fact this was the shot that landed a few inches below the rest, but i'm making a strong assumption thats the one!

load was Win 209, home made vent, 55gr H4895, .030 veg wad, 300xtp

[Richard]

Moto.........thats a pretty decent group! If it continues to perform that way on regular basis, I would say you have a decent load. On the other hand, it would seem that the charge is quite "light" for that weight bullet, which would produce a rainbow trajectory. If you are comfortable with just knowing your POA to compensate for it, one could successfully harvest a ton of deer.
Richard

[moto357]

thank you for your kind words Richard

this isn't by any means a pet load, just something i more or less got lucky with i think. load info shows it should be in the neighborhood of 1750fps? surely a rainbow trajectory if one were to stick with it...although i would not with other loads. this barrel shoots far better than i would have imagined when i first had Ron put it together considering the H&R frame isn't what one would consider for building something for accuracy. similar to everyone's pac-nor, not much doesn't shoot well out of it, just some better than others is all.