Thread: I have problems (of the load development kind)

Originally Posted by Kitto

I was pretty dubious as to whether the 190's would stabilise either, as the twist is 1-12 on tikka 308's with a 22in barrel. However, the Berger site says 1-12 is all good for this bullet, and I would've thought that 2700 is enough in the speed department. If that IS what they are actually doing.. From what I've seen, some larger .30 cals such as 300wsm are only loaded to similar velocities. Probably because their owners don't have a chronograph! The bullets aren't tumbling either, and perform out to 650m, so surely they are stabilising.

I always have used a bipod, as I'm too lazy to set up a proper bench rest etc. I also have a rear stock rest bag thingy, which was kindly donated by gimp. I've always thought this was suitable for sub moa groups, which is all I'm after at the end of the day. This is also the setup I use on the hill, so thought that this consistency of rest would minimise POI change.

One very valid point you've brought up is bedding. would it be possible that I've not refitted the stock properly after cleaning etc at some point? It could also be possible that I have overtightened the bedding screws. I usually tighten the back screw as much as possible, then tighten the front one down to a reasonably tight level.

Don't get me wrong, I've developed about 5 loads that shoot like a dream, using 150 nosler BT's, Sierra Matchking (SMK) 168's, hornady 150btsp's, barnes 168 ttsx's, and Sierra Gamkings. On one particular day, I got 3 groups of 3 shots under 1/2 inch easily in a row with the NBT's. So shouldn't be a problem with the rifle fundamentally. It's just a problem that's cropped up recently.

It could just be that I need to be jamming the bergers in the lands.. I could be getting similar problems to your incocentric rifle, in that the bergers may not be hitting the rifling perfectly square. There's about a 120-140 thou or 3mm ish jump from memory.

Cheers

I think you'll find its actually 1 in 11", just to be pedantic