Thread: Load development/Gun Smith

Have just started reloading and have been chasing my tail trying to sort a load for my 7mm rem mag.
Having trouble sorting a accurate/consistent load, have shot some tight groups but can’t repeat them...
Time has become a big issue, so am keen to take it/send the rifle to a guru to make sure the rifle is up to scratch and then develop a good load for it.

Who out there is recommended/does this?

Located CHCH
Cheers

How fine are your measuring tolerances in powder and overall length etc. Is ur shooting up to scratch?

@Dev What brand of riffle do you have as there are heaps of guys on here that have worked up some really good loads and I'm sure would be happy to share with you. You would be surprised what a difference a good load makes.

140 grain nosler partition with 62.5 grains of ar2213sc behind it. not a super hot load but accurate and good knockdown

Have been really careful with the powder measuring using lee beam scales, have just been doing the loads to suit the magazine length.
As for my shooting it is questionable at times... but have had some groups where all the shots felt solid but just sprayed. Have shot over a 100 loads with the rifle so feel pretty comfortable with it now.

Rifle is a Tikka, fluted barrel and has been bedded by greystone guns, new VX3i Leupold on Talley rings.

Have tried suggested loads from the forum and the net, some loads have been .5moa then when retesting they shoot terribale..

Ok I this sounds basic but check your scope and rings etc maybe something not right there On my rifle the rail came lose (wrong screws and no loctite)similar thing was happening with my groups but with right. Screws etc. all good now

Yep have checked the clamping ring screws, haven’t checked the base screws to be fair, need to remove scope but greystone guns did remove them when they coated and bedded rifle, he commented that they were torqued and loctited, so assuming they are good....

got some pics of the targets

Terminator Products forum advertiser.

Do you know for sure that you can shoot well consistently? So many people chase their tail trying to chase accuracy chopping and changing all sorts of things but the THE #1 factor that will affect consistent tight groups is the nut behind the bolt. I think its actually pretty rare these days to find a factory rifle that wont achieve some degree of acceptable accuracy with most loads and a good shooter.

Time has become a big issue, so am keen to take it/send the rifle to a guru to make sure the rifle is up to scratch and then develop a good load for it.
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I think time being an issue ( a roar trip ) then a gunsmith guru is the last thing you need.
Your likely to be without the rifle for ages and have no idea what's happening the whole time and no guarantee of what and when you will get it back !

Will get some pics sorted.

I agree that My shooting is quite possibly the problem, but have given it a good crack and feel the results should be better when retesting a load.
Trying to get time to go to the range to then get poor results most of the time to leave me thinking was it me/rifle or my loading...
If someone experienced in loading etc got it dialed then I know it’s my shooting if I can’t repeat there results and focus on that

Dev: come grab a few of my loads and try them.

Have you tried giving the rifle to another shooter to see if they get similar results? Are you running a suppressor or brake?

The other option if time is an issue, is find a factory load it likes and use that for the roar then continue developing your load after.
On the shooting side a few tips you may find helpful.
Shoot in the same position you shoot in the field (I usually shoot off my pack so that's how I sight too)
Concentrate on how you hold the rifle ( I rest the fore on my hand in front of the pack with a loose grip on the front just enough to discourage muzzle jump but not enough to put any pressure on the fore)
Work on how your trigger feels for you (practice sighting something @ 100yds and dry fire see if you can hold it steady whilst pulling the trigger, you may be inadvertently pulling your shots if trigger is heavy)
Consistency the way you hold the rifle, the way you pull the trigger even the way you breath needs to be consistent and you can practice this at home (a lot)
Think about it, is there anything about your rifle that makes you uncomfortable when you shoot it ? Too loud, too much recoil, trigger feel ? These are all things that can cause accuracy issues but can also be mitigated.
But best of all try a load and get someone who can shoot to shoot the same load.
That will definitely tell you if it's you or your load/rifle.
I would think after 100 rounds you should have a feel for it but maybe not everyone is different.
Another thing to consider is copper fouling have a look down the muzzle end and look for traces of copper in the rifling.
Also the state of the rifle, do you clean it after every use ? Do you run a dry patch through it before firing ?
Do you let it cool down so that you can hold the barrel comfortably between strings of shots ?
Most of all if your getting frustrated stop you won't make any progress if your shitty.
There is so much more but hopefully some of this may help, I am by no means an expert this is just based on my experience and what I've learnt from others