SmallCaliberCentral

I got some time in today shooting the Ramshot TAC / 34gr Dogtown loads I put together a couple weeks ago. Since my local range only has a 100 yard backstop, I went out to a friend's farm to shoot. I thought there was a cable spool sitting near the spot I planned on shooting, but when I tried to move it, I realized it was older than I thought, and it nearly fell apart, so I moved it out to act as something to staple targets to. My rest ended up being a plastic 50 gallon drum sitting on it's top, with a 4' 2x12 sitting on top of it. I used a 6-9" Harris bipod in front and an Accushot monopod on the buttstock. This was my first time out shooting with this bipod/monopod combo, and it was pretty awesome. The bench left alot to be desired, as it was way too tall, and I had to kneel on a folding chair to hunch down behind the rifle. Doing this also made the drum sway forward and back, but it was pretty controllable. I really should have found a spot to lay prone. I plan on doing that sometime this week with some more loads, but here are my best 3 groups from today. Keep in mind this is a 10 twist barrel. My main objective was to test (5) different (27.6, 27.8, 30, 30.2, 30.4gr) charges of Ramshot TAC pushing a 34gr Dogtown bullet.

This load was what I had loaded for coyotes this winter. I had shot a few other loads (20 shots) to condition the barrel right before this group. This was the first 5 shots I took from ~100 yards using this load. Immediately after this group, I moved the backstop out to what I thought looked like ~200 yards, because I figured the groups would tell me more at 200. I don't have a rangefinder, but will have to start measuring these distances. (Don't put too much into how I miss high and right on one target and low left on another. I was messing with zero throughout the 75+ rounds I shot today. Was mainly shooting for groups.)
26gr H4895 / 39gr SBK loaded at 2.251 (just long enough to fit in an AR magazine) Rem 7 1/2 Primer


This load was shot at 200 yards, immediately following a load of 27.6gr, which gave a 3" group.
27.8gr Ramshot TAC / 34gr Dogtown loaded at 2.244, Rem 7 1/2 Primer


After shooting the charges of 28, 28.2, and 28.4, without any good results, I started back in shooting the 2nd 5 I had of each of these loads. This was after the rifle had maybe 50 rounds down the tube since a cleaning. I'd like to find a load that shoots well dirty, so wanted to try them again. This time, the 27.6gr load shot the best. The 27.8gr load immediately following this one was nowhere near as good. Maybe 2" group. The measurements on this group only measure the 4/5 shots that showed it to be an accurate load. I must have blinked on the bad one.
27.6gr Ramshot TAC / 34gr Dogtown loaded at 2.244, Rem 7 1/2 Primer (2nd 5 of 10)


It's hard for me to trust that any of the bad groups (2"+@200) were the rifles fault considering what I was using as a bench today. I feel like I must have been setting up just a bit different each time, and wonder if on the good groups, I just got lucky with my hold on the rifle. ? I guess I at least know what to load up for the next range trip now. I'm thinking, 27.5, 27.6, 27.7, and 27.8 using a good solid bench, and remembering to bring my chronograph.

However poor the conditions today, I have never had any 1/2moa groups with this rifle before today, so this was encouraging, especially with bullets that are 10 cents a piece and powder that's $15 a pound! I also think my guess at 200 yards today was probably more, but I will definitely get it measured now.

That's some pretty impressive shooting and I'm glad to hear the Ramshot TAC is working well with the .204..

I had been reserving mine for my .223s with heavier bullets, but may have to try it in my .204s as well..

OldTurtle wrote:That's some pretty impressive shooting and I'm glad to hear the Ramshot TAC is working well with the .204..

I had been reserving mine for my .223s with heavier bullets, but may have to try it in my .204s as well..

Again, I need to point out I had many poor groups too, although I think I can depend on the good groups shown above as an indication that the charge was one that should be able to work again in this rifle. I really hope it was more a lack of a stable bench, and my hold on the rifle that made the results vary so much. I hope more testing with a solid bench will yield more conclusive results.