Help to improve this load

[Mark C]

Hi Guy's,

The story (short version honest), my Rem 700 VSSF II with 26" barrel would not shoot factory ammunition of any weight under 1", so I started reloading my own with lot's of help from this site & ended up with 25.1gr RE-10x, 39gr SBK @ 2.30" COAL which grouped .385 @ 100yds.

Then I had the barrel reduced from 26" to 23" with a new lapped crown & threaded for a sound moderator by a very experianced riflesmith, it will now shoot Hornady 32gr factory loads through ragged holes @ 100yds as can be seen in the photo, very happy.

Here's the problem, I shot my hand load & although the three groups are about 1" they are in vertical strings & I don't have the experiance to interpret the results, what would you do to improve this load?

Here are a few things it isn't, loose action in stock, action bedding, barrel touching stock etc. as the near one hole groups were fired just before the hand load target.






Many thanks for you help

regards Mark

[jo191145]

Ala "Secrets of the Houston Warehouse" style
http://www.angelfire.com/ma3/max357/houston.html

Load these and try again.
25.1 @ 2.300 (Current load) + foulers
25.2 @ 2.300
25.2 @ 2.305
25.3 @ 2.300
25.3 @ 2.305

Don't shoot any factory ammo through the barrel before testing.
Let us know how it goes

[Mark C]

Thanks for the advice the cases are in the tumbler cleaning as I type, then I'll have to wait until the wind drops before I head to the quarry to test them I'll let you know how it goes.

[Mark C]

Thanks for the help, it worked a treat with 25.2gr @ 2.300" COAL.



Will try it over a longer distance next, if only all things in life improved that much after adding .1 of anything!

[jo191145]

If that slight horizontal remains seat bullet deeper in .002'' increments.
2.298 should be enough but.............