Dusted off the old rifle today

[Howard Bullock]

After 20 years in storage, I decided it was time to dust off the old rifle.

Previous loads for this rifle were for IMR-4350 powder and Speer bullets. I had a hard time locating any 4350 lately so I purchased some Reloader 22 and a box of Hornady 139gr BTSP and loaded up a box. The first two loads I tried were 65gr and 67 grains. The 65grain loads did not group well even at 100 yards. When I got the 67 grain loads, the groups tightened up.

My Remington 700 BDL 7mm Rem Mag with a Bell & Carlson stock, 6-24x scope, and bi-pod.


My first 200 yard 5 shot group in 20 years. The two holes to right are from the 65gr loads. Three shots group well, but it seems that I had two flyers; one to the left and one to the right.

I can't wait until I buy a set of sand bags to stablize my rifle for some fine tuning. I need to see just how consistent the load actually is. These shots were taken while resting the front of the rifle on my hard MTM range case.

I apologize for less thean stellar pics.



The overall spread for the 5 shot group is a hair over 1.75 inches:



Three shots in the center of the group measured about .625 inches. I don't think that too bad for lacking sandbags and not shooting the beast for 20 years.

[gf45acp]

Cool!!!!!!!!

[Lone Wolf]

Nice rig! Looks like you can still shoot it after all these years!

[CENTERMAST]

Maybe you should apologize for the less than stellar groups.

[dodge]

After you shoot the rifle more and you get use to it again, I think that your groups will tighten up some. After 20 years of not shooting it you maybe a little rusty with it.

[Howard Bullock]

Originally Posted by CENTERMAST

Maybe you should apologize for the less than stellar groups.

On what do you base your comment?

I only show two sets of impacts. The first from loads using 65grains of powder which did not groups well at all. Two of those are shown to the right in my picture. The other five holes are from consecutive 5 shots using loads with 67 grains of powder.

Even at 1.75 inches that is less then 1 MOA (minute of angle) which isn't shabby for just a shot in the dark load and not shooting the rifle for 20 years. The spread is left to right. The vertical separation of the shots is much smaller which tells me that I am most likely responsible for the left right spread and the gun resting on a better platform should produce a much tighter group.

The 3 shot cluster at 200 yards is less .5 MOA (left to right) and about .25 MOA vertically.

[TJB63]

Howard Nice...Not too many of us get to shoot 200 yards.

Apparently Mr. Centermast feels confident enough to stand downrange...Maybe you should oblige him.

TJB

[Iron City]

Not speaking for Centermast, but I think he was joking with the comment.... but I could be wrong

[Howard Bullock]

Originally Posted by Iron City

Not speaking for Centermast, but I think he was joking with the comment.... but I could be wrong

If it was meant sarcastically or in jest, I apologize for reading it the wrong way.

[sid]

Originally Posted by Howard Bullock

On what do you base your comment?

I only show two sets of impacts. The first from loads using 65grains of powder which did not groups well at all. Two of those are shown to the right in my picture. The other five holes are from consecutive 5 shots using loads with 67 grains of powder.

Even at 1.75 inches that is less then 1 MOA (minute of angle) which isn't shabby for just a shot in the dark load and not shooting the rifle for 20 years. The spread is left to right. The vertical separation of the shots is much smaller which tells me that I am most likely responsible for the left right spread and the gun resting on a better platform should produce a much tighter group.

The 3 shot cluster at 200 yards is less .5 MOA (left to right) and about .25 MOA vertically.

I read it the same way you did. At first I figured he was kidding but then there is no or and indication of joking and the second comment made it that much clearer.

I was wondering how they figured this was a bad group. At 200 yards I think your groups are pretty good. Wind could have made the difference left to right.

I wonder if they could do better.

Nice rifle BTW.

Sid