New to ML First Shots Report

[rickscottsdale]

Thanks to everyone for there advice on getting me going.
I am preparing for a Bull Elk Hunt in AZ.
I went with the Winchester 209 primer, Barnes MZ-Expander 300 grain with supplied sabot. Accurate Arms 5744 3.4 Lee dipper which translates to 44.9 grams.
After getting a feel for things and getting knocked on my butt the first shot I had 3 of 5 shots in a 4 inch group at 50 yards. The next day I had the same grouping at 100 yards. I was in the woods using shooting sticks as this is where I need to be accurate in 6 weeks.
I had over 100 lbs of pressure on the scale when ramrodding the Barnes bullet. Is this correct? Some went in easier, why is that?
Did I just make bad shots on the bullets that did not group, or is this a consistency problem with the Barnes?
I also shot the Hornaday .452 XTP with the same load.
The pressure was about 60 lbs when loading. I could not hit the target with these?
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[rangeball]

rick, can you use sabots with a ML in AZ? For some reason I was thinking they were conical up to a certain length only, or maybe this is for ML season only? I don't know but wanted to throw it out there in case it's an issue.

How long were you letting the barrel cool between shots? What was the temp when you were shooting? In my experience the barnes are more finicky but the XTP usually shoots if a bullet will with a particular load.

[rickscottsdale]

Yes you can use sabots, scope, etc. AZ is great.
10 minutes or so between shots, the outside of the barrel was cool to the touch. Cloudy skies and about 60 degrees.

[ozark]

With the 300 grain bullet I would try droping the charge down a couple grains. Less recoil and maybe a bit better accuracy. I think it would still be deadly medicine for an elk at reasonable ranges. JMO Ben

[rangeball]

Aug 17, 2010 14:16:10 GMT -5 rickscottsdale said:

Yes you can use sabots, scope, etc. AZ is great.

Crap I was thinking CO. Nevermind

I have no experience with that powder. Sorry.

[tasaman]

I've used dippers for AA5744 and did OK but when I started weighing the charges did better. 42 gr shoots way better in my gun than anything higher. Then went to IMR SR4759 and groups went from 2 inch at 100 to all bullets touching at 100. You just have to experiment to find which combo works best in your gun.

You did say your using MZ Expanders in 300 gr. Good bullet, not so good sabot if I remember. Try to get ahold of some Harvester Crush ribs in both black and red. Red for tighter and black for looser fit.

Which XTPs are you using? They come in a variety of weights and some shoot better than others. The 250 gr shoots very acceptable in most guns. The 300s not so much but not terrible. The 240s, and 300 gr XTP Mag don't shoot well in my gun at all.

[rickscottsdale]

Thank you Tasaman. Is 100+ lbs of scale pressure too much for the MZ Expander 300 grain? I am using the XTP 300 grain non mag, it says pistol bulet?

[tasaman]

Never used a scale to load but can say that does sound a bit on the stiff side. Most guns like a tight fit. If it's loose then you risk a blooper. Thats when you pull the trigger and instead of hearing a loud crack and feeling recoil like usual you hear a "blooop", no recoil and the bullet barely clears 25 feet. You'll laugh first time it happens I know I did. Back to your problem. The XTPs that shoot well for me are the #45320. They should be used with the red crush ribs as I just mic'd one with a black crush rib and it's only .502 and would most likely fall down the bore and produce bloopers. With a RCR they are at .508 and should be a snug fit. If that sounds tight remember crush ribs will cut your loading pressure by about a quarter to even half as much. If you need a couple just to try and can't find any local give me a hollar and I'll send you a couple of each.
My gun likes the Barnes Originals with the BCRs and mics right at .509. Snug but manageable.

[mike3132]

Aug 17, 2010 22:34:37 GMT -5 rickscottsdale said:

Thank you Tasaman. Is 100+ lbs of scale pressure too much for the MZ Expander 300 grain? I am using the XTP 300 grain non mag, it says pistol bulet?

100 lbs of force is a little too much. Try a different sabot like Harvester short black or MMP 24 and see if the groups tighten up. I suggest you read about the scope base problems some have and the base riding up on the recoil lug. Both of these cause accuracy problems. You might try a mag primer too. Vary the charge from 40 - 45 grains of powder. Keep us informed and good luck, Mike

[rangeball]

Some have reported with an ultra tight fit they were getting sabot petal stretching and deformation just by loading.

[deadon]

I use shooting sticks to practice with also BUT only after I have found the load a particular rifle likes and I always do that on a bench across rock solid shooting bags. You want to take as much human error out of the equation as you can. Just my two, Rusty

[rickscottsdale]

Thank you everyone, I have lots of new options.

Rick