Thread: "Karhu" A.K.A "Finnish Bear" 30-06 load developement

Progress update.....
Went to the range today to give the bear a bit of air
Shot 2 rounds of my previously proven hopeless rounds and was immediately confronted by the fact they were still hopeless (was quietly hoping ladt session I was just having a bad day, I wasn't)
Seated 3 of thd loaded rounds to SAAMI COAL and shot a 3 shot group. I will point out my hand loads where seated much much longer than SAAMI so this was purely just experimental to see if seated to SAAMI length would improve things.
I only shot 1 group but it was .945" which is a damn sight better than any of the recent groups I've shot with it.
I will bump a few more back to SAAMI COAL next chance I get to go to the range and hopefully things stay consistent.
If they do I will be more than happy with that, may or may not tutu the seating depth from there but would need to go back over my notes to see what I've already tried.
Definitely feeling a little more positive about things but unsure when I'll get back to the range yet......life is mostly consumed withh all tjongs landcruiser related currently.

Stuff a wee bit of sticky under forend to about four pounds reverse pressure, trust me it works.

Im sure I read in here this rifle wouldnt be onsold LOL....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Im sure I read in here this rifle wouldnt be onsold LOL....

So ?

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Im sure I read in here this rifle wouldnt be onsold LOL....

Or the Lupo...can't believe a word this man says

Originally Posted by Shearer

Or the Lupo...can't believe a word this man says

It is true in some respects

just poking the bear bud..poking the bear...

That Lupo was a beauty before it fired a shot just sayin'

MD knows I've had some issues with the recoil, having only ever shot a .22 before shooting this Finnbear. But im slowly figuring it out. Anyway, this pic is my first 5 shot group this last Saturday. Factory ammo, Hornady American Whitetail 150gr, range was 100m. I tried shifting the point of impact up 1.5", but then began flinching and shooting inconsistent 4" groups, so I gave up and will try again another day. Seems I get scared of pulling the trigger after half a dozen shots at paper.

When I moved up from my .22LR to my Franchi .243 I got a bit of a flinch on (after the first session of shooting it, at which I was fine, probably because I was "new rifle fever")
I was anticipating the BOOM and snatching at the trigger, with predictable results.
What worked for me was to slow myself right down and get my breathing sorted, couple of sessions like that and now I'm good and it's not been an issue since no idea if that's of any help to you but it worked for me.

Also, to the OP, whilst I know nothing about reloading, what you're explaining is fascinating

Brad, lets go and shoot something at the NZDA range. I can load you some lighter .30/06 loads if that feels like it might be helpful, and we can work our way through the flinch thing. Some things are like learning French, get the accent right and it will be fine. (I dont really know what that means either)

I have taught a few people and some simple ideas can make a big difference in one afternoon. You can obviously already shoot.

I have to shoot my new Sako too, so we can have a Sako day.

Bit surprised it's such a beast.
It wouldn't be a lightweight I'd imagine and from the pics from the first few posts the recoil pad looks OK.
I'm not a recoil lover but neither do I want it but I do suppose I can handle it from all the heavy shotgun loads I used to use.
I did have some moments with the 8x57 couple of years back. 185gr doing up over 2600fps from packet but can't remember exactly.
Relatively light czech mauser with 23 1/2" stepped barrel and no recoil pad.
Shoulder wasn't annihilated but after a dozen or so I thought a couple of packets worth would've been interesting.
Shortened it enough to fit a good slip on pad and one of those velcro stock riser ammo holder thingies to get the eye in line with the scope.
Massive difference. Less kick and not any cheek smacking although I don't remember a sore cheek the first time.
Way more comfy second time around.
I would've thought a heavyish old school wooden Euro with 150s and a good recoil pad shouldn't be that bad but hey I'm not the one shooting it

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Bit surprised it's such a beast.
It wouldn't be a lightweight I'd imagine and from the pics from the first few posts the recoil pad looks OK.
I'm not a recoil lover but neither do I want it but I do suppose I can handle it from all the heavy shotgun loads I used to use.
I did have some moments with the 8x57 couple of years back. 185gr doing up over 2600fps from packet but can't remember exactly.
Relatively light czech mauser with 23 1/2" stepped barrel and no recoil pad.
Shoulder wasn't annihilated but after a dozen or so I thought a couple of packets worth would've been interesting.
Shortened it enough to fit a good slip on pad and one of those velcro stock riser ammo holder thingies to get the eye in line with the scope.
Massive difference. Less kick and not any cheek smacking although I don't remember a sore cheek the first time.
Way more comfy second time around.
I would've thought a heavyish old school wooden Euro with 150s and a good recoil pad shouldn't be that bad but hey I'm not the one shooting it

I didn't find it too bad with 178gn pills, the longer barrel meant it wasn't to blasty either, but I'm a big dude at 6'8 and 115kgs, technique definitely plays into it.
You'll come to terms with it once you find your groove.

JohnDuxbury, I will reply to your DM. Appreciate it.

Csmiffy, its not a beast. I am pretty sure a more experienced shooter would have no problem with my rifle. In fact, before I shoot too many rounds I'm fine with it too. The problem is I've been shooting nearly a whole box of ammo, and the rifle is not very heavy either. Before this 30-06 I had only ever shot a .22

Yes, it's my technique and lack of experience, not the rifle. I am 6"3 and 108kg, so maybe I'm just wimpy. That will definitely be it haha