I usually bore just the OKH site with these ramblings.
Three shots only.
Rifle: Bergara Approach in 7mm RM.
Optic: Bushnell LRTS 3.5-18x44
I've only about 10 rounds' worth of powder left for my 150gr ELD-X/IMR-4451 load. That'll get me through the 2022 season, but I can't bring myself to pay $80-90 for a pound of gunpowder. So I broke out some new bullets and powder to try a couple weeks ago.
Bullet: 150gr Nosler Accubond Long Range, seated .040 off lands.
Powder: H4831SC
I had a partial box of the bullets that I bought, and it came with a bunch of dented junk, so I had to sift through to get some acceptable ones. Fortunately I still have a full, new box as well.
I initially shot three groups of three rounds at .040, .070, and .100 off the lands. There was a definite preference at .040. Time to play with charge weights.
Shot one group of (4) at 100 with what was a middle ground load at 63.0gr, and was under 3/4 minute. Tried another group with an additional .5gr and it opened up.
Went back and shot a confirmation group of (4) back at 63.0, and had three inside 1/2" with a wild flyer an inch and a half away...guess I missed a dented bullet.
Loaded three more and shot a group at 250...went into 1-3/4". I used my drop data or DOPE from my 150gr ELD-X load, and this Accubond load was spot on. Okay, it'll hunt. No need for further testing.
This morning I took my time firing three shots spaced out over 75 minutes as it was cold and there was almost no wind. I just used my ELD-X DOPE again, and the group (top photo) was in almost the exact same spot.
No chronograph data as I'm an idiot, but based on same drop data at this range, I'd estimate that I'm right at my other load, which is 3,005 FPS. Having almost no vertical spread, I'm not too worried about ES and SD at my hunting distances.
Here's my 150gr ELD-X cold bore shot from about two weeks ago out of the same rifle. The high shot is my old M24R in 7.62x51:
Shooting setup off my patio (bipod and backpack):
Through the scope pic from my M24R two weeks ago (10x) at the same distance:
Anyways, I figured I'm blabbing enough in this sub-forum, so I might as well contribute a bit while I'm on it.
Have a good one.
. I'll put a strip of masking tape around the elevation dial and pen in my adjustments according to range before the season starts. Much easier to crank to 2.5 versus having to find a tiny .7 mil hash line.
