Analyze My Target

[RobG]

This is more Randalls territory but, it could string any direction. It could be the barrel heating up, inconsistent hold of the gun, poor support fore and aft of the rifle, poor trigger control, or it could be that your gun does not shoot that bullet well. You should really start all over again in your reloading process since it is a new bullet. From what I have read on hunting forums, the Barnes solid copper bullets aren't an inherently accurate bullet.

[MicronuT]

do u know what the node is for 130's?

[Fjold]

Your showing a definite pattern of shots going to the left, as the first three shots show, No. 1 and 2 are within an inch of each other and No. 3 is way out.

In the single hashmark shots, are the last two the ones to the left also?

The same question for the double hashmarks also?

If the gun just doesn't like a particular bullet it will typically scatter shot in a more random pattern over a long string (or multiple groups) of shots , the same if the barrel is just worn out.

Usually if it's a gun problem the shots will be more of a repeatable pattern, like what your target shows. It's shooting a couple of shots close and them gradually shooting more and more in one direction.

This target is shot with with the 120 grain TSX and shows a random distribution of shots as I was working up loads. I'm pretty sure that there is no issues with the gun, just the standard variations of shot from working up loads.

[choprzrul]

12-19-09 Update: Went to the range today and spent 2 hours to fire 20 rounds at targets with 2 cleaning rounds before 1st 10 shots. Cleaned rifle after 1st 10, fired 2 cleaning shots, and then fired 2nd 10 shots.

.308
130gr Barnes TSX
IMR 3031
targets have 1/2" squares

Here is target 1 with 45.0gr loads:


Here is target 2 with 46.0gr loads:


The initial target in this thread was fired with 44.0gr loads for reference.

The Barnes manual, for IMR 3031 w/TSX 130gr, shows a minimum charge of 45.0gr and a max load of 49. I will fire 47.0 and 48.0 loads on my next trip out. If the grouping doesn't come together by the time I reach 49.0 max, I will start working down at 1/2gr increments.

Thoughts and advice are welcome.

[choprzrul]

BTT

[Fjold]

What it looks like is that your gun does not like that bullet/load combination. It is just a large group. You might try the 150 grain TSX or experiment with another powder (IMR4064, Varget, H4895 etc)

[choprzrul]

BTT

[high_revs]

I was sleeping on that one! 100yds, shooting from bench with overhead cover.

no no no.. Not sleeping. it's a "cold bore shot!"

I did get some tid bits of info from someone else that letting the bore cool down too much in between shots affects your accuracy. Can't say I've come across this but it might have some truth behind it (or part truth).

[choprzrul]

no no no.. Not sleeping. it's a "cold bore shot!"

I did get some tid bits of info from someone else that letting the bore cool down too much in between shots affects your accuracy. Can't say I've come across this but it might have some truth behind it (or part truth).

Dude, what are you doing up at 2:00am posting??? Appreciated, but wow, get some sleep !

Maybe I am reading too much into these targets, but:
target 1 @ 44.0gr was really spread out,
target 2 @ 45.0gr tightened up by about an inch, and
target 3 @ 46.0gr seems smaller yet.

Barnes load data shows 49.0gr as the max. No signs of pressure yet, so I am going to load 47.0, 48.0, and 49.0 to see if the increased powder helps bring this together for me. I have seen where moving from the original "X" bullet to the TSX requires roughly 10% more powder to get accuracy to return. Since this rifle shot X's @ roughly 1.5" with 44.0gr, it stands to reason that it might come back together in the 48.0 to 49.0 range.

Thoughts?

[Shoot-it]

For my 270 I used winchester e-tip 130 gr for non lead hunting zones. I got good 1inch groups .Copper don't like to be pushed to fast.

[choprzrul]

BTT, new targets posted at the start of the thread.

[choprzrul]

Bump

[choprzrul]

Bump

[NRAhighpowershooter]

that light bullet in a 308.. try 37.5gr - 39.0gr Varget... you just might be suprised.....

[choprzrul]

that light bullet in a 308.. try 37.5gr - 39.0gr Varget... you just might be suprised.....

Outstanding, thank you very much. I was hoping that someone would come through with a clue!