Wednesday at the range

[Richard]

Today seemed to be one of those days were Herman and I were trying to out do one another shooting small groups ;D I think we both did fairly good!
100 yds.
I started out trying the 200 gr. FTX with a proven duplex load. Shot #1 was from a dead clean barrel and did not include itself in the group The remaining four were just so/so but not altogether bad for sabot less. I believe I had "over" sized them as they could easily be loaded with one hand (looser than I like).
Used the same charge with the 200 gr. XTP (saboted). The first three shots were 3/10"........the fourth opened it up to 8/10" and the fifth to 1.5"
300 yds.
Same load as above and managed three (in a row) in 3.6". The fourth shot went way out and the fifth came back in...sort of!
I used the 195 Barnes with a different duplex and managed three (in a row) in 2.948" and all five in 5.8"
100 yds.
Same duplex that I shot the last 300 yd. group only switching to the 200 gr. XTP. I fired the first shot the way I always do. Holding onto the forend. I have been noticing that even with my lead sled set up that pulling the 3 lb. trigger can induce some movement. So after shot #1 I began shooting totally free recoil. I now use my left hand to adjust the vertical (knob) and at the same time use this hand to counteract what my trigger finger is doing. As a result, the next four shots went into a tidy .329" group with only the fist shot making it a .797" five shot group.
Using this same technique, I shot the sixth group with a favorite bullet....the 230 gr. XTP sabot less with another duplex. This gave me three (in a row) at .9" and all five in 1.5". The load averaged 2682 fps with a 26 fps ES. This bullet and various duplexes have consistently given low ES. The fit is also more to my liking than the first bullet I shot today.
The taking off of my barrel last week and re-head spacing it did nothing for the accuracy, it just shifted the POI. Edge was concerned that the bedding might need to be redone but it does not seem that way.
Richard

[jhm]

Richard you reports are very helpful. The reports help us guys who are working ten hour days make intelligent choices when we do get to go to the range. I am going to try the N110/N120 duplex as I have both powders on hand.

[Richard]

Thanks jhm
That is the main reason why I do so! Not to prove I can or can not shoot? I just feel that Herman and I have the time, equipment and the range to do meaningful testing/evaluations. There is no BS here only the results as we get them.
Richard

[Jon]

Richard Like alot of others on the board that do not have the advantages you have as far as time and a readily available range. Plus you have one of the greates things Which is the comaredy that you have with other shooters which to me would be unmeasurable.
Jon

[boarhog]

Richard,
I am very interested in your Sled technique. I have fiddled with mine some, and am not really satisfied that I am getting it right. I've tightened up the front rest considerably, but haven't figured out how to manage the compression of the rear rest padding. When I take hold of the grip, the downward pressure at the butt raises the poa. It can't be all that consistent.
Robert

[Richard]

Do not put any pressure on the stock. Keep your cheek away from it. Just hold your grip tight enough to control the trigger. Concentrate on pulling the trigger directly (not to the side) to the rear. Now use your left index finger than thumb to work the elevation screw and also to exert any necessary pressure side ways for minor windage adjustment and to correct the trigger movement (if its moving your crosshairs). You got my number!
Don't forget, I have changed the factory universal bag in the front to a 3" wide benchrest bag. Along with that, bedded a square 3" block to the forend to prevent "rocking!" Please understand that this whole set up is strictly an attempt at gaining accuracy in developing loads. I already have a DuraMax stock bedded for this action in the event I decide to kill critters ;D
Richard