Problem with Savage LRP

[charlie b]

Ladder tests have almost always been something that I waste powder on. Why? I start with loads just under max. This almost always results in the best load for me. I also tend to use the Sierra load data, which is frequently lower than other data. Most of the time even the OAL data from Sierra matches the best loads.

FWIW, the Sierra load data for the .308 is done with a Savage BVSS.

[South Prairie jim]

IME
failure to establish an powder charge node and seating depth for each individual rifle will result in sub par accuracy.

[charlie b]

I agree, it's just that in almost every case of mine that point has been my starting load.

[rmkey]

I perform a 200 yard ladder test with my Bullets on a light jamb, my ladder is one charge in .2 gr increments as my bullet impacts climb the target I can normally identify a flat spot before I reach any pressure signs. I select a charge in between those two.
now onto the 300 yard seating test I fire three shots each of my chosen powder charge,starting at my jamb or -0- increase.005 each set of three shots. I'm not necessarily looking for the smallest group rather the flattest set of three. I now have my initial ( course) or base load. At this point I can test primers side by side to determine if any improvements appear I will note for reference or perhaps make a change. Now I can fine tune my seating to identify how wide my seating window is. Once I have that I can fine tune my powder .1gr at a time preferably at my intended distance " I my case I test at 550 yards as that is the longest range available unless competing.
example- my 6br load
Varget 30.1 gr
Lapua brass
cci br primers
SMK 107 gr bthp
seating .016 jump
results 3 shots under 1 inch at 550

This is good sound practices and the only way to really know for sure what performance will be over a particular range. As for me I have not been methodical enough just taking a guess here and there. I shoot at home and my range is 100 yards though I could access up to 400 max at home. Since most of my concern is group size at 100 I can see where South Pairie Jim’s method could be adapted. I saved your comment for further reference. I know how to Handload forCompetition now I need to study how to set up to actually shoot! Thanks

[South Prairie jim]

Thanks RMKEY
it took me a while to understand the difference between testing and load development, the benefit of developing is being able to identify changes and troubleshoot or self scout as you will. For example- at .010 jump my groups are fairly tight however in a vertical line from 6-12 than at .015 the groups are much tighter but running 4-10 o clock , now at .020 they are dead flat smiley face and .025 begin getting erratic, therefore my seating has to stay .018-.020 if they start going vertical I've lost my seating a bit. I can add a touch of powder to tighten up that flat smiley face group however if I overpower they start going vertical again, so at that point IF I still need to I may hit them with a magnum /hotter primer in place of increased charge.
hope that helps ya shoot Small "
SPJ

[1953greg]

rmkey......i find that the correct bullet is paramount to any other variable. powder being second but considerably. you hav tried several bullets but perhaps not the best one. i hav a mod 12 flat back in 6.5-284 that wil only shoot 130g bergers worth a hoot. its 3/8" and evrything else is 1 3/8"+. kinda crazy!!!!

[rmkey]

When the weather allows I am loading some Sierra 142 SMK 0.010 off the lands and a powder ladder from 42.0 to 43.5 g of H4350. That’s where most find the powder node then adjust seating depth. Not comfortable seating into the lands. Haven’t tried the 130 at hybrids yet. I did go from vld hunting 140 to hybrid hunters.

[Fotheringill]

To reinsert the bolt on a side lever model-

Press the lever. Gently pull back on the trigger. This will allow the sear to move which will clear the way for the bolt to move. Release the trigger while still holding down the lever, gently push the bolt into the action. Don't force anything. It will work.

[South Prairie jim]

When the weather allows I am loading some Sierra 142 SMK 0.010 off the lands and a powder ladder from 42.0 to 43.5 g of H4350. That’s where most find the powder node then adjust seating depth. Not comfortable seating into the lands. Haven’t tried the 130 at hybrids yet. I did go from vld hunting 140 to hybrid hunters.
Sounds like your on the right track, anytime you test components the use of wind flags is paramount" watch the wind cycles and shoot during consistent conditions , you may have to wait a couple minutes then run your shots.
there's always wind the question is how much and which direction. Stay at a distance that your comfortable with. If you can post a picture of your ladder test nodes are fairly easy to identify.
I'm new to this forum and unfamiliar with posting pictures of my own testing, any help is appreciated

[Texas10]

Everyone has their favorite cleaning method and materials. There's lots to choose from and some are really good, some are just marketing fodder. I prefer Gunslick Foaming Bore cleaner https://www.amazon.com/Gunslick-92098-Foaming-Cleaner-12-Ounce/dp/B000U3Z5TI to remove copper and most powder fouling, followed by Ed's Red https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/solvents-degreasers/bore-solvents/ed-s-red-bore-cleaner-prod19936.aspx and while your ordering that get some of these too, they're really good a removing built up carbon and copper. https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/patches-mops/cleaning-pellets/index.htm Get the intensive ones.

Lastly, get some kind of bore scope or endoscope to see if what you're doing is working. I find these to be all you need until you want or need to be looking with 40X at your lands. I use this one. https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-Borescope-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTI2HV

Don't forget to buy a chamber guide. Here's a inexpensive one: https://www.possumhollowproducts.com/BORE_GUIDES.html Saves getting cleaning gunk in your magazine and stock.

Good shooting!

[CFJunkie]

rmkey,

If your .260 12 LRP, which uses .264 caliber bullets too, has any of the same preferences of my 12 LRP 6.5mm Creedmoor with its 26 inch barrel, then it will shoot the 142 SMKs and 147 ELD-M bullets really accurately.
However, to get the best accuracy, my 12 LRP prefers IMR4451 Enduron powder slightly more than IMR4350 or RL-17 compared when shooting the same bullets.

My other 6.5mm CM (10T-SR) shoots the 130 TMKs best with IMR4350 and RL-17.
It also shoots 140 gr ELD-M bullets almost as accurately but with IMR4350.

The 12 LRP shoots best with Lapua brass and CCI BR-4 small rifle primers. It loses just a bit of accuracy using CCI-400 primers. It doesn't like Federal 205M primers.
The large rifle primers with Norma or Hornady brass don't shoot as accurately and the primer pockets don't seem to last as well - I was shooting Federal 210M primers that work great in my .308s.

[GaCop]

You young whippersnapper! :) I`m 66, lol

I am having a hard time with my cheap Axis. It has about 800rds through it and I dread the day it wears out. I love it, especially now that it has a decent scope and the Boyd`s stock.

The BVSS only has 300rds through it but it keeps getting better. If I had taken more care breaking it in I might be shooting better groups by now.

FWIW, after trying several copper cleaners, I finally got some KG12. That stuff is like magic. I've done the ammonia overnight thing, Sweets, Hoppes, and M-Pro 7. They work ok but takes forever compared to the KG12. The KG12 works as described, ie, apply with swab/brush, let sit for 30 seconds, scrub, patch. Repeat a couple times. When really fouled it took 6 applications to get all the copper out.

Sent from my SM-P580 using Tapatalk

Your both whippersnappers, I'm 72!:smile-new::thumb:

[CFJunkie]

From my perspective, you're all whippersnappers.
I just turned 75 and am still reloading and shooting over 5,600 rounds a year.:cheerful:

[Wayne Nixon]

Glad to see there is more older shooters on here than I thought!! I'm 73 will be 74 in July and still building rifles, hunting and shooting.

[Robinhood]

You guys make me feel young.

[charlie b]

You're welcome :)

I have just recently started shooting a lot again since I finally retired. Have a lot more time for loading and range shooting. When I was in my 40's the base I was stationed at had a range less than 10min from my house. Those were the years when I cast and shot around a thousand rounds a year.

Between rifles and pistols I average a few thousand a year now.

[rmkey]

I have a borescope on the way. Thanks

[South Prairie jim]

I'm not following how a 260 Remington and a 6.5 Creedmoor would share similar load data when the only thing in common is bullet diameter

[Robinhood]

I'm not following how a 260 Remington and a 6.5 Creedmoor would share similar load data when the only thing in common is bullet diameter

Rim diameter, base diameter, similar body diameter and taper. According to Chuck Hawks, the average difference in water capacity between the two cases is 1 grain.


https://www.chuckhawks.com/case_capacity_matters.html

[South Prairie jim]

Different parent case, different case length, different shoulder angle, different Pressure, base line twist rates, different powder, different"