HV rifle challenge

[Ian]

Since we have a shiny new section for rifles, I'm going to join in the others in breaking it in.

How about a friendly competition?

Any center-fire rifle, any caliber, any bullet weight, any twist rate, if you want to shoot an F-class rig, or an AR-15, or a Spanish Mauser, go ahead. The goal is simple: See how high you can push the velocity and still maintain 1 MOA for five rounds, and you gotta explain how you did it and be open to answering specific questions about your techniques. 100 yards is great and what I consider a minimum to demonstrate the load is holding together, 200 or farther is even better. No time-line, no equipment restrictions. Just regular cast bullets with gas checks and lube of your choice.

 

[Brad]

Can I have till summer? It is kinda cold here!
I will see what I can do with Dad's old 06. I know it can shoot cast well, used to use it a bunch with a long discontinued 190 Lee and 2400.
I seem to have a bunch of RE 17 and 19 looking for a use......

I'm game.

 

[freebullet]

What is our standard benchmark speed ?

Anything over ---- fps is high velocity for cast.
^?
That number keeps changing for me. As I get more/better knowledge and equipment the number moves up. Right now for me it would be anything maintaining accuracy at or above 2k fps.

 

[Brad]

I think Ian wants people to see how fast they can go and maintain accuracy.
I think of HV as starting around 2K fps with cast as that is sort of the ceiling above which most don't think cast can handle.

 

[Brad]

Just to make this more inclusive I think we should let Rick use one of his handguns. I bet he can best 2000 fps with at least one and keep em under an inch.

 

[Ian]

Rick needs to dust off that M1A and get a bullet that fits it. He'll be embarrassing us all if he would apply what he knows about alloy to a the .308.

I'm not setting any benchmark here, but how about something better than 1800 fps in a .30 caliber? Maintaining a 1-inch center-to-center group at 100 yards and 2K fps is nothing at which to thumb one's nose. Brad, Fiver and I have all done it different ways into the mid 2ks, as have a lot of others. Some people here have been reporting low 2Ks with great accuracy in .35 caliber, 6.8, and some others.

 

[Brad]

We have a few here doing very well at over 2K fps with a 35 Whelen.

Forgot Rick had the M1A. That would be a good candidate. He is actually cheating with handguns against us. Yes, I said it isn't fair because I know what he can do with a handgun from a rest.

 

[gman]

You guys are killing me! Now I just have to buy a 35 Whelen. Already looking locally for an older Marlin 336 35 Remington.

 

[freebullet]

I'm not holding my groups that tight at that speed with cast just yet.
Being a deer hunter rather than competitor I'll have to admit I let larger groups slide to attain energy & save time a little. If it's at minute of deer or better with every shot....

I do keep trying to best myself with each new batch of boolits. With the addition of a star and a better understanding of alloys I'm hopeful to get even better. The draw to laser like accuracy keeps me trying. Being able to use cast further out also pushes me to tighten up groups.
Pushing plain based boolits faster is another pursuit I'm tinkering with.

 

[Rick]

I dunno guys, dragging me into this and I haven't loaded or fired a single shot yet this year.

 

[Brad]

By summer I bet Rick and Freebullet are in the game.

 

[Josh]

Time to break out my 255 gr again, i had some good groups at 1900 fps and my goal can be 2100, but my rifle is the weak link.

 

[35 shooter]

I'd like to play too...may be able to get started sometime in Feb. For that kind of accuracy i know from experience already that i have to weigh my target bullets though. Did i mention i HATE weighing bullets? Otherwise my best 35 whelen loads avg. just a bit over moa. and can go 1.5".

I'd like to see just how fast i can get my 35 whelen Encore and my new Zastava .308 going with that kind of accuracy and speed.

Lol, hope you guys are prepared for a lot of questions if i run out of things to try!
Ok, 5 shot groups 1" or better @ 100 yds. and everyone reporting in on what they are doing with various bullets and calibers to achieve it....this will be a chance to learn a few things.

This should be a darn good thread Ian!!

 

[RBHarter]

But but but my 35 isn't together yet......
I hate to admit it but the 30s just aren't fun to shoot anymore . I do have a couple of "business" rifles to shoot in 30 cal so I'll give it a go.

 

[KHornet]

T'will be interesting! I get up to 22-2300 farirly regular with 224's, but have never tried to get much beyond that level.

 

[Brad]

You have a heavy barrel 308 don't you? That would be a good candidate.

 

[KHornet]

Ya, will probably have to break out some of the slower powders for it, and heavy bullets. Will be fun (probably)!

 

[Brad]

I will get you some 30 sil bullets to try. Those along with 4350-4831 speed powders should work well.

 

[Ian]

I realize it's the dead of winter for most of you and it's just not possible to go shooting right now, this is just something to think about for the coming months. Seems to be a decent amount of interest and could be quite enlightening by the end of summer!

 

[Brad]

This is also a great time to cast some bullet so they can age well before you are ready to shoot.