Consistency with different bullets

Pheroze

AH ambassador
Joined
Jul 6, 2013
Messages
5,177
Reaction score
8,680
Location
Ontario
Media
98
Articles
26
Hunting reports
Africa
1
USA/Canada
6
Member of
OFAH, DSC
Hunted
South Africa, Canada, USA
I am loading for a 3006 ABolt II with a 22" barrel. I had previously found that 180 interlock over H4350 was most accurate going on 2550 fps. This year I used the same brass and primers but tried H4831 and 180 gr Northforks....exactly the same. Up to 2550 the grouping got smaller to about an inch and then started to open up with a dramatic increase in recoil.

I found this to be quite surprising. But, this rifle is most accurate with smaller bullets too.

The personality of a rifle is an interesting thing.
 
I have seen guys who demand sub moa accuracy from a rifle and are willing to shell out big bucks to get it.

When a fella says he wants to shoot deer up to 400 yards away with a 30-06 and wants the rifle and load to get the job done wears talking about building something specific.....very specific. Not a deer gun that tomorrow is a bear gun with a different bullet, and later is an elk gun with yet another bullet, or a varmint gun that spits yet something else out. But should someone want an everything gun he will be sighting in each time he changes bullets.

If someone wants to change bullet weights and style he should use separate guns.
 
I have lots of 30-06 caliber rifles but I only use one load. That one was given to me by my hunting buddy (now deceased) for my first and still my go to rifle in that caliber. On multiple occasions I've put ten cold bore shots under an inch at 100 yds. If I feed it a different style of bullet or try a factory round one would think I was using a shotgun with a full choke. BTW that rifle is a Remington 724 with a Weaver Tip Off Mount. So I totally agree that a rifle has preferences. It is up to us to find out their likes and dislikes if we want to coax the best accuracy out of them.
 
I thought the different style of bullet would coax more velocity out of it because of the bore rider design of the Northfork. 2550 is kinda slow for 180gr. But it seems to just like that weight at that speed. I dont mind as the shooting distance will be short, just a "hmmm" moment is all.
 
My Rem 700 mountain rifle in 30/06 liked 56.5 gr of H4350 with a 165gr NBT, It could go faster but groups opened up a lot.
Some barrels just like certain loads/harmonics.
 
If someone wanted a highly accurate rifle built it always starts with the bullet and the round length, then build the rifle around it.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
61,880
Messages
1,357,398
Members
117,309
Latest member
ReneBancro
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

crossfire3006 wrote on JoninCO's profile.
Had an excellent classifieds transaction with JoninCO. A truly honest and standup member. I wouldn't hesitate at all to deal with him again. Thanks, J!
Francois R wrote on Lance Hopper's profile.
Hi Lance, Hope you well. I collect Mauser rifles and they are very much part of my cultural history in Africa. Would you consider selling the rifle now a year on ? I'd like to place it in my collection of Mauser rifles. Many thx
Cooper65 wrote on Rockwall205's profile.
I saw where you hunted elephant with backcountry safaris in Zimbabwe.
Was looking to book an elephant hunt and wanted to know how your hunt went
and if you would recommend them.

Thanks
Mike
hi, do you know about lions hunters, leopard hunters, and crocodiles hunters of years 1930s-1950s
I'm new to Africa Hunting. I would like to purchase a Heym 450-400 double rifle. I'm left-handed but would prefer a non-canted gun. Is anyone in the community considering parting with theirs?
 
Top