357 158 Gr XTP Powder Test (cont'd)

[ESquared]

Went back for a second round of testing the 158gr XTPs through the BBS. As before, 50 yds, bagged, Leo VX Freedom 1.5-4X20 @ 4X.
Started out with the center target using factory Hornady 158 gr XTP 6 rounds total, 5 in the bull, plus the flyer). Always a flyer, right? Otherwise, very happy.
The powder tests were 10 round groups, stopping and reeling target in after Round #1, just to see where things stood.
Did the upper left first, 12.5 grains of Alliant 2400. Had to adjust POA to the top of the triangle (3") at the point circled. Once I got that figured out, they gave me similar groups to the factory ammo.
Next was lower left, 14.5 gr of A2400. Not bad on a 3" triangle.
Upper right next, with 14.0 gr of H110. Had the most difficulty adjusting to this variable, and generally "Meh."
Lower right is 16.0 gr of H110. Still not great.
My general direction will be to try to dial in the A2400 a bit more, with the objective being to end up with the "hunting load," but also plan to get outside with longer distances (75 and 100 yds) to see what works best. Will likely give up on the H110.
The other thing I'm concluding is that I"m spinning my wheels a bit without the benefit of a decent sled. I've resisted this so far, trying to make do with a pretty nice Caldwell "tack driver" front bag and a good rear bag as well. But, with all the shoot/retrieve target/shoot/move to next target, etc., it's just not possible for me to get very consistent in one session. This turns into a test with too many variables, the biggest variable being ME, constantly adjusting bags to different targets. For example, I don't think there's single powder variable target where I can clearly see all 10 holes.
Might have to revisit the Caldwell Matrix, which seems to have enough clearance to allow cycling the lever without a lot of other movement of the rifle.
As always, comments, critiques and suggestions welcome! It's all fun.

[Cofisher]

Good test work. I am waiting on drying out to get out and shoot some more. Nebraska is pretty wet.

I have some 2400 and 110 to compare.

Thanks for your input.

[Rifletom]

Evan, those two loads of 2400 look pretty good, as does the factory stuff. H110, meh. Lever towel duly noted!
You're loads are looking good. How about that .45 Colt?
Cofisher, you be safe over there. Mighty wet. Wow.

[ESquared]

Evan, those two loads of 2400 look pretty good, as does the factory stuff. H110, meh. Lever towel duly noted!
You're loads are looking good. How about that .45 Colt?
Cofisher, you be safe over there. Mighty wet. Wow.

Thanks, Tom. Have lots of 45 Colt loaded up, but have given up on the indoor range with the Peep Sight - lighting is too poor, so I'm just wasting ammo and making myself crazy(er) trying to make sense of it.

PT7 and I are trying to arrange an outdoor visit to a range close by the Lake City Ammo Plant (Mo Dept of Cons Land) this Friday. Looks like the weather will be good. REALLY like that 45 Colt Carbine, so can't wait to let it stretch its legs at some longer ranges outdoors!

Will post that report after we conquer the elements...

[Rifletom]

Yep. Waiting for house re-pipe[ugh!]. When all that is done, maybe some trigger time with the Colt.
Stinking copper pipes!

[Mags]

.
"test of too many variables" it is, but you'll get a handle on it, keeps the fun running!

pinkchk_xsm.png (558 Bytes) Viewed 1469 times

...The other thing I'm concluding is that I"m spinning my wheels a bit without the benefit of a decent sled. I've resisted this so far, trying to make do with a pretty nice Caldwell "tack driver" front bag and a good rear bag as well. But, with all the shoot/retrieve target/shoot/move to next target, etc., it's just not possible for me to get very consistent in one session. This turns into a test with too many variables, the biggest variable being ME, constantly adjusting bags to different targets. For example, I don't think there's single powder variable target where I can clearly see all 10 holes.
Might have to revisit the Caldwell Matrix, which seems to have enough clearance to allow cycling the lever without a lot of other movement of the rifle.
As always, comments, critiques and suggestions welcome! It's all fun.

[ESquared]

.
"test of too many variables" it is, but you'll get a handle on it, keeps the fun running!

Yeah, yeah, I know. Too stubborn to concede to the need for the sled, but the arsenal now justifies it. Looking seriously at the Caldwell Lead Sled SOLO, too, as it seems to be designed such that it can accommodate levers very easily.

Anybody have a SOLO or ever used one?

[Flinch]

Your end goal is to develop an accurate hunting load?

[ESquared]

Your end goal is to develop an accurate hunting load?

Is this a trick question?

I'm going to say Yes. Which is why I've been using 158 gr XTP for all this powder testing, because if I ever used the 357 for close-in deer hunting, that's the projectile I'd likely use. And I subscribe to the notion that practicing with the load set-up that you will hunt with is a good idea.

How did I do?

[JEBar]

Anybody have a SOLO or ever used one?

can't speak for their SOLO ... I bought a Caldwell Lead Sled DFT 2 back in July 2017 ===> http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... T+2#p44659 .... it is a fine piece of equipment .... sadly, I've never been able to fully take advantage of it .... to do so, it needs to be mounted on a solid table .... both of our shooting bench rest are portable units .... one is fairly solid but neither is rock solid .... I haven't thought about it much lately but need to try and figure out a way to come up with a really solid surface to sit it on .... as noted in the thread (link above) it does take some time to figure out how to make the best use of it .... it does work OK with lever action rifles