Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Been struggling to developing a cast hunting load for my Model 70 338W Magnum. Having accuracy consistency issues when shooting loads developed in Summer like (70's) temperatures. The bullet is Tom's clone of Lyman's 200 grain (338320) flat point. Data for loads is out of old Lyman literature. Just so happens their accuracy load of 31 grains of IMR-4198 shot the best for me. Lyman also specifies to use only standard large rifle primers.
First thing I changed and tested, at expected hunting temperatures, was the lube. Was using Lar's Carnauba Red. Then, I decided to try doubling lubing the Red with Alox. Flyer's were still happening. Switched to Lar's 2500 lube and no improvement.
Tried different brands of brass.......didn't help. What to do? The only thing left! Try magnum primers..............contrary to Lyman's recommendation.
The way I do cold weather testing, is shoot at a bank of four targets, four shots a day, in the same temperature range. These targets were shot this week at four different temperature ranges...................30's, 40's, 50's, and 20's (today). Color coded highlights indicate the different temperatures and days.
Sixty yard groups shot out of my hunting blind, seated, with only a camera tripod as a front rest. Scope is a Trijicon (1.25 x 4) Accudot with a orange arrow reticle. POA is indicated by the orange arrow, below each bullseye. I can live with the one flyer, on the third target. Before, switching to magnum primers, I had 50/50 chance of coming close to the bull. Few times, shot at one target and hit the boarding target.
I can't shoot that bad on purpose.
For those of you, that intend to use cast bullets for hunting deer, be sure to check POI at expected hunting temperature extremes. You don't want to be surprised.
First thing I changed and tested, at expected hunting temperatures, was the lube. Was using Lar's Carnauba Red. Then, I decided to try doubling lubing the Red with Alox. Flyer's were still happening. Switched to Lar's 2500 lube and no improvement.
Tried different brands of brass.......didn't help. What to do? The only thing left! Try magnum primers..............contrary to Lyman's recommendation. The way I do cold weather testing, is shoot at a bank of four targets, four shots a day, in the same temperature range. These targets were shot this week at four different temperature ranges...................30's, 40's, 50's, and 20's (today). Color coded highlights indicate the different temperatures and days.
Sixty yard groups shot out of my hunting blind, seated, with only a camera tripod as a front rest. Scope is a Trijicon (1.25 x 4) Accudot with a orange arrow reticle. POA is indicated by the orange arrow, below each bullseye. I can live with the one flyer, on the third target. Before, switching to magnum primers, I had 50/50 chance of coming close to the bull. Few times, shot at one target and hit the boarding target.
I can't shoot that bad on purpose.For those of you, that intend to use cast bullets for hunting deer, be sure to check POI at expected hunting temperature extremes. You don't want to be surprised.
Forgot to mention, gun and ammo was kept outside and 20 minutes elapsed between each shot. Trying to mimic first shot out of cold barrel.
