Author Topic: A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn  (Read 430 times)

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Offline bilmac

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A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn
« on: February 21, 2009, 07:13:40 AM »
I took the new 243 superlight out last Thur and shot a 3/4" group at 100. 17 grains of Blue Dot and a 58gr Hornaday V Max. Ah, says I, now I'm in business. So I went out Fri and shot a 5 1/2" group. The only difference, on Thur the powder was weighed, Fri the powder was measured.Today, I went out and shot a 1" group with weighed powder. I would never have believed it. I measure almost all my powder. With my accurate rifles it is not a problem to shoot sub MOA groups. I guess I will have to weigh my Blue Dot loads, I suppose the high burn rate makes it sensitive.

So, I am halfway to what I expected of the new rifle. I wanted a kind of fat Hornet to harass the prairie dogs in the summer. If I can find a nice load for the 105 gr Speer to pop deer with next fall the rifle will make me happy.

Offline vincewarde

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Re: A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2009, 10:01:16 AM »
I weigh almost every charge - even those from the measure - to maintain +-.1 grain.  I only trust the measure so far.
"Preach the Gospel at all times, when absolutely necessary - use words" St Francis
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2009, 10:15:37 AM »
I weight all my charges using a digital dispenser, lots faster and easier than using a beam scale, have never used a measure of any kind. I'm interested in quality, not quantity, work my loads up in ½gr or smaller increments, I've gone from 2" groups to ½" groups with just a ½gr change in powder, then back to 2" groups with the next ½gr increase, many handloaders that choose random loads or use 1gr or 2gr increments can totally miss the sweet spot and blame the firearm.  :-\

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2009, 10:25:10 AM »
Now I feel as if I am suffering from OCD. I measure all my loads to the 1/10th of a grain on a balance beam scale. Even my BP/Pyrodex/777 hunting loads. I pre-weigh the ML loads into 35mm film canisters that I mark and keep in my pockets....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2009, 02:05:32 PM »
ALL my reloads are run through the Lyman electric powder measure.  I use a single stage press and it has the powder dropped before I'm ready for the next charge.  Works for me.  DP
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2009, 02:11:24 PM »
Lyman electric powder measure = Lyman DPS 1200 digital powder dispenser?

Tim

"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: A guy shouldn't ever get too old to learn
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2009, 02:37:40 PM »
That's the one.  Wouldn't want to be with out one after using it.  I am going to get the upgrade to speed it up for the larger cases, may have to drink more coffee to keep up then ;D  DP
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?