Range report with chronograph results

[Slufoot]

A bad day at the range is still better than a good day at work!
I got to shoot my 30-06 barrel again today along with my 500 S&W barrel.
I had eight different loads to try in the ’06 and only one for the 500. All loads were chronographed while shooting for groups. All 30-06 loads used FC brass (except the 8th load) and CCI-200 primers.
The first load for the ’06 was
57 grains of IMR-4350 and 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets seated to an overall length of 3.469”. I got 1 bad reading on the chronograph so the chrono results are for 4 shots.
Average Velocity = 2797
Highest Velocity = 2829
Lowest Velocity = 2769
Extreme Spread = 60
Standard Deviation = 24
5 shot group at 100 yards = 5.875”

Second load for the ‘06
57 grains of IMR-4350 and 165 grain Remington PSP-CL bullets seated to an overall length of 3.287”.
Average Velocity = 2750
Highest Velocity = 2780
Lowest Velocity = 2720
Extreme Spread = 60
Standard Deviation = 24
5 shot group at 100 yards = 2.562”

Third load for the ‘06
59 grains of IMR-4350 and 150 grain Remington PSP-CL bullets seated to an overall length of 3.300”.
Average Velocity = 2858
Highest Velocity = 2884
Lowest Velocity = 2837
Extreme Spread = 47
Standard Deviation = 22
5 shot group at 100 yards = 5.312”, 4 shots went into 2” and 3 shots were .75”

Fourth load for the ‘06
59 grains of IMR-4350 and 150 grain Winchester Power Point bullets seated to an overall length of 3.287”.
Average Velocity = 2885
Highest Velocity = 2914
Lowest Velocity = 2875
Extreme Spread = 39
Standard Deviation = 16
5 shot group at 100 yards = 3.375”

Fifth load for the ‘06
51 Grains of Varget and 150 grain Remington PSP-CL bullets seated to an overall length of 3.320”.
Average Velocity = 2757
Highest Velocity = 2794
Lowest Velocity = 2728
Extreme Spread = 66
Standard Deviation = 26
5 shot group at 100 yards = 3.937”

Sixth load for the ‘06
51 Grains of Varget and 150 grain Winchester Power Point bullets seated to an overall length of 3.235”.
Average Velocity = 2793
Highest Velocity = 2829
Lowest Velocity = 2771
Extreme Spread = 58
Standard Deviation = 22
5 shot group at 100 yards = 3.875”    4 shots went into .812”

Seventh load for the ‘06
51 Grains of Varget and 150 grain Hornady SST Interlock bullets seated to an overall length of 3.362”.
Average Velocity = 2770
Highest Velocity = 2816
Lowest Velocity = 2740
Extreme Spread = 76
Standard Deviation = 31
5 shot group at 100 yards = 2.500”

Eighth load for the ‘06
52 Grains of Surplus Military Powder IMR-4895 and 150 grain Remington PSP-CL bullets seated to the crimp groove and crimped with a Lee Factory Crimp die. This load also used Winchester brass.
Average Velocity = 2948
Highest Velocity = 2977
Lowest Velocity = 2928
Extreme Spread = 49
Standard Deviation = 20
5 shot group at 100 yards = 2.750”

It took me 2.75 hours to shoot all these rounds because I didn’t want the barrel to get hot and affect the groups. As you can tell this barrel has a long way to go to get acceptable groups. I touched up the crown this evening and will see if this helps it’s grouping ability.

I changed stocks and installed the 500 S&W barrel. It is equipped with a Burris 1.5-4 pistol scope on a scout mount. The load was 38 grains of Lil’Gun and 385 grain Remington bullets seated to an overall length of 2.220”. I used Starline brass and Winchester Large Rifle primers.
The first shot hit about 2.5” low and a little to the right. The next shot had the same elevation but hit about 4” farther to the right. The next shot missed the target and so did the next two. I walked over to the target and saw the 3 shots that missed the paper. They were grouped into about 2” and were 13” to the right. I walked back to the bench and adjusted the scope over to the left 13”. I noticed the scope had slipped forward in the rings until it bottomed out against the rear ring, this explained the shots drifting.
I fired again after adjusting the scope and this shot hit right under the bullseye, the next shot hit right beside it and 3 shots went into a 1.5” center to center group!
Average Velocity = 1978
Highest Velocity = 2003
Lowest Velocity = 1951
Extreme Spread = 52
3 shot group at 100 yards = 1.5”

All chronograph reading were taken 12’ in front of the muzzle. I touched up the crown on the 500 and it really seemed to help it, hopefully the 30-06 will respond to it also.
After shooting I took the scope and Weaver rings off the 500 and installed a set of Leupold QRW rings. The Weaver rings were the type that hooked on one side and tightened with two screws on the other side. I also bottomed the scope turret up against the front ring to keep it from slipping forward.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[JerryKo]

Great report.  Looks like the 500 is shooting good.   Just got some dies today for mine.

It would've taken me 2.75 hours to type up the report.

Jerry

[Slufoot]

Thanks Jerry, I'm really tickled with the 500. It didn't do very well when I first got it, but some work on the forend and the crown has really made a difference. I believe that switching from H-4227 to Lil'Gun powder has also helped the accuracy. I have only fired starting loads in this barrel and the Lil'Gun starting load has some serious power and plenty of accuracy for the range of this cartridge.

My '06 is terrible but it's also kind of fun doing things to try and make it shoot better. Hopefully a better range report will follow on it.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot