Learning Day at the Range

[Headhog]

Took the Henry BBS to the range today to try out some different 357 Mag. loads. I loaded up some Speer JHP 125 gr. and some Nosler 158 gr. JHP. I wasn't too happy with the way the 158 gr. bullets seated and I was getting very inconsistent overall length. These loads varied about 0.008" from shortest to longest. So I wasn't expecting good groups from this load.

This is the first group with the 125 gr. Sleep JHP at 35 yds. shot from rest. I was pretty happy. The flyer to the right was all me and I called it when the shot broke.

The second group was with the 158 gr. Nosler at 35 yds from rest and sort of what I was expecting.

Then I start to make some sight adjustments and shot a few more groups. Finally I fired the last group with the 158 gr. Nosler and was very pleasantly surprised.But as you can see I had two different group placements. The 126 gr. were higher than the 158 gr. Nosler.

After the last group I was left with 5 rounds of each load. So I decided to put up a new target and just shoot stand offhand. Thats when I was really surprised. I didn't take a picture but I had a decent group the size of the black area but centered 12 o'clock in the 6 - 7 ring. So now it seems both of these loads shoot very well.

Now I'm wondering why when shooting from rest the 158 gr. load seems to shoot lower than the 125 gr. But standing offhand all shots seemed to group just above point of aim. Time for more testing.

Paul

[BrokenolMarine]

Sometimes shooting from a rest puts pressure on the barrel and changes the point of impact. That's why I was always taught to sight in new rifles from a rest, (back in my high power competition days,) but set the sights for the match shooting from your positions.

[JEBar]

very interesting .... what do you believe caused the difference in length with the 158's .. .. in our rifle the Nosler's do an outstanding job

[BrokenolMarine]

I'd check my seating die and see if there is a buildup of bullet wax floating around in the die. It could throw off the length. I pulled the retaining ring on mine and cleaned the gunk out regularly when I was loading in volume.

[Headhog]

very interesting .... what do you believe caused the difference in length with the 158's .. .. in our rifle the Nosler's do an outstanding job

I believe the difference was caused by my seating die. I noticed that it tended to deform the soft lead nose. Also I'm using a taper crimp die and really should have a roll crimp. I like the taper crimp for 38 spl wadcutters.

Paul

[fortyshooter]

Haven't tried 125 gr. bullets in my Henry yet but I would adjust for the shooting position used the most.

[Headhog]

Sometimes shooting from a rest puts pressure on the barrel and changes the point of impact. That's why I was always taught to sight in new rifles from a rest, (back in my high power competition days,) but set the sights for the match shooting from your positions.

Thank you. Good advice that I will be aware of on my next range trip.

Thanks you for your service.

Paul

[JEBar]

I believe the difference was caused by my seating die. I noticed that it tended to deform the soft lead nose. Also I'm using a taper crimp die and really should have a roll crimp. I like the taper crimp for 38 spl wadcutters.

Paul

10-4 .... a while back I had trouble with some coming out with flattened noses .... still don't know the cause for sure .... the problem disappeared as quickly as it surfaced

[BigAl52]

I use a redding taper crimp die all the time and have no issues with it.

[North Country Gal]

I'll double what Marine says about guns shooting to a different POI when switching from a rest to offhand or other position. I find it to be especially true with handguns. In fact, a hunting guide I knew who guided in the high country had his clients from the lowlands resight in their rifles when they arrived in camp because changes in elevation can also cause a change in POI.