NOE 311-188-FN or 30 Hunter testing

[tomme boy]

Went out today as it was a little warmer than it has been in the last week or so. Tried to get out early enough to also beat the wind that was to come.

I tried a different powder today. Varget. I also tried a load that last time seemed to shoot ok. But this time I tried some at 0.310" and some at 0.309"

I ran the Varget from 31 grs to 35 grs. And the ones with different diameters were both loaded with 34 grs of H4895.

The 35 grains of Varget shot the best at 1.18". All were shot at 100 yds. I think I could have shot a little better today too, but the mirage was killing me today. I thought it was from the heat off the barrel, so I made a heat shield over the barrel to keep the waves from coming up. But the mirage was coming off the field. It took sometimes a few minutes just to make one shot. I was having major eye strain from the focus going crazy in the scope from it. I tried turning the power down on the scope but that didn't work either.

Didn't have a chrono with me but the 35 gr Varget and the 34 gr 4895 should be pushing the 188 gr at 2200 fps. These are just first loads. I am going to start getting really picky about everything now. I just wanted a basic load that shot well. I think I may also see if I can go higher with the Varget next time out as well.

The RPM is at 152K rpm. It is moving fast in this 10 twist. I am almost at my goal of sub MOA at 2300 fps.

[Larry Gibson]

Looking good. However, based on previous experience, don't bet the farm on the 35 gr load being the best. Given the relative same size of the 31 - 34 gr groups the 35 gr group might or might not be an anomaly of random dispersion. Confirm it with 10 shot groups of 34, 35 and 36 gr and also chronograph. If accuracy holds and the ES stays below 50 fps for the 10 shot test string with any of those then test at 200 yards for linear dispersion. You may indeed be "almost there", only conclusive testing will tell. Refreshing to see actual results and information posted about pushing the RPM Threshold up. Thanks

Larry Gibson

[Ben]

I'm lost, is this a .308 Winchester that is being used to shoot the groups that we're seeing ?

[tomme boy]

Yes Ben it is.

Larry, these were just to get me into the ball park to start. I am thinking I might Take my 0.309" size die and lap it to get to 0.3095" I think it is going to fit the throat a little better than the 0.310". I know it is not much, but look how much a little bit of something matters doing this.

I am going to load a few more test ones at 0.5 grs spread starting at 34.5 grs to 37 grs. I may do 7 of each this time.

I am finally able to get to our shooting shack that has all of out rest and sand bags. I have to go get some kerosene for the heater in there. The duck and goose flooded fields are froze over and the season is done for the owner. So now it is shooting time.

Had a little more fun today too. I was shooting hedge apples on the ground at 672 yds with a 168 gr AMAX. Had to take a break and play a little. Got my 223 shooting under 1/2" groups with cheap Hornady SP with the canalure. Really happy about that.

[tomme boy]

Well I found 2 more lbs of Varget today so I will be able to do some more testing. I'm hoping that the mirage will not be as bad as last time.

[DR Owl Creek]

Tomme,

Great job. Thanks for posting. I really appreciate the fact that you posted pictures of your groups too. That helps a lot.

Dave

[tomme boy]

Did a little more testing and I am running into a lube failure. I am getting leading at the last 4"s of the barrel.

I think I may try to tumble lube the same bullets I have lubed already in some alox and try again. Hopefully tomorrow. Dealing with some serious pain today. Don't know if I can make it to the basement to lube and load some more.

[popper]

What is your alloy? Your normal size is 310? You might want to wait till further testing before opening up the sizer.

[tomme boy]

All the loads except one were 0.310"

The alloy was 16 lbs of COWW and 1 lb of Lino. I know it is Antimony rich. But it work in other things I shoot it in. Water dropped then aged 2 weeks.

[detox]

Tomme, I have been experimenting with preloading the bi pod and it has really improved my grouping...crosshairs are rock steady on target until trigger is pulled. I lean into the butt of stock putting forward pressure on bi pod with shoulder. The shooting bench I shoot from has a groove for bi pod legs to fit into so they will not slide forward while preloading.

The new Atlas PSR bipods were designed stronger so to be preloaded.

My heavy Hart shooting rest has a stop that works much like preloading the bipod, but that heavy sucker stays home.

Lately I have been using Lymans Moly lube with good results. Unlike the Alox, I have less cold barrel flyers using it.

[tomme boy]

I did not shoot off a bipod this time. I used a adjustable front rest with a leather shot filled bag and a rear bag that was shot filled. Once on target it does not move.

[tomme boy]

Well I made it out today again. I tested some loads that were lubed with the TacX then tumble lubed in thinned alox. I will say that the TacX did not seem to have a cold bore flier. If you look at the top left that was 5 rounds of the 34 grs of H4895. The bore was completely clean. I stripped it of everything as last time I had a little leading. The paper tore right at that group when I was taking it down.


It looks like I am going to have some more work to do. It seems that the 35 grs is about going to be the max for this combo. For what I want anyway. I am going to work on loads on each side of it and a little lower. I might also get the dacron out to see if that will help. I feel the temp today might also be a factor. It was 15* out this AM when testing. I felt like I was shooting really good today.





The 35 gr of Varget did not do as well as last time as lubed with just the TacX
2275 hi
2203 low
72 es
27 sd
2232 avg


36 gr Varget
2278 avg
2304 hi
2253 low
51 es
18 sd


37 gr varget
2345 avg
2393 hi
2299 low
94 es
29 sd


The chrono would not clear so here are some #'s with the Varget load that was Lubed with TacX then tumble lubed with thinned Alox.


35 gr TL TacX Varget
2219
2211
2206
2220
2264
Lost 2 readings




36 gr Varget TacX TL alox
2342
2265
2293
2302
2308
2281


Then my standard let anyone shoot my gun load. And kids!


21 GR 5744 200 GR lee rn Tac1 lube
1750
1771
1762
1770
1760
1774
1756

[tomme boy]

The one high shot with the 35 varget load I adjusted the scope down after that first shot. That is why it is high.

[detox]

Tomme, NOE cut my double cavity aluminum mold for one gas check version and one plain base version of this Hunter bullet. I belive this bullet will shoot good after more testing. I plan to have a few plain base versions loaded up to test at 1400fps.

[Bjornb]

Tom,
A check of the CBA match result data over the last 8 months or so shows that Varget, in charges of 28-31 grains, is emerging as a very popular and winning powder, especially in 30BR and 308Win. I'll be trying it shortly in the XCB. Great shooting and thanks for posting results.

[tomme boy]

I think the dacron will help the velocity swings. I might just load some up for banging steel this summer at the lower speeds. Untill it gets warm again I will have to do all these test over again anyway.

I have come a long ways in the last couple of years shooting lead. I don't know how much longer I am going to try to push up the speed. I like to just go shoot stuff laying on the ground at the local range. This target shooting gets old for me.

[detox]

This target shooting gets old for me.

I bet CBA competition shooting would be LOTS more fun and rewarding.

[tomme boy]

I went out today to test some loads at a more target shooting velocity. I had a few cold bore fliers as well. I was shooting outside today at 34*. Today I was also just using a bipod and my hand for a rear rest on the stock. All shots were at 100 yards. If I waited more than 15 minutes for the barrel to cool off, I would get a first shot flier.


First set of loads were with 5744


21.1 grs


1800 fps avg


21.6 grs


1841 fps avg


22.1 grs


1878 fps avg




Then switched over to 2400 powder


18.1 grs


1735 fps avg


18.7 grs


17.67 fps avg


19.3 grs


1803 fps