140g Bergers - Looking for a higher node

[jeffmedlin]

Hey Guys...

It has been awhile since I have been on the forum.
My last visit, you all really helped pick out the correct powder charge and seating depth for my Tikka T3X Tac Al.  The round count is a little over 1900 now... although I have purchased a new barrel,  I haven't installed it yet.

I was curious if I could find another node with a little higher velocity... I know I am sick.... but I really enjoy the process.

I had done another mini OCW test a few weeks back...and to my way of thinking I though I found some promise.  This is a target I shot yesterday using the low node of 42.3 and the higher node of 43.8... and was wanting your feedback.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THESE LOADS IN YOUR RIFLE - They will be SUBSTANTIALLY higher pressure and velocity out of anything else.  I don't know why... but my Tikka runs real slow... and I have yet to find any pressure signs.

Prime (Norma Brass)
Federal GM 210
H4350
Berger 140g OTM
Seated .066 off the lands or 2.264 CBTO in my rifle

The "Low" node... the one I have been shooting for the last 300 rounds or so...and usually find it to be very accurate out to 1500 yards is 42.3g.  The average velocity is 2636

The new attempt at the "High" node is 43.8g  The average velocity is 2744.

Targets 1 through 5 are the "Low" node

Targets 6 through 10 are the "High" node

These were NOT shot Round Robin.... I simply shot a 3 round group of low node .. waited 1 minute, shot a 3 round group of the high node... and so on.

Again... I am sure there is some driver error on these.... but felt pretty good about the shots - no obvious pulls that I was aware of.

[gman47564]

I vote to screw that new pipe on there...

[rardoin]

I found my most precise loads using a 26" barrel/140 hybrid to be at around 2725 fps.  I would retest five shot groups at 300yds using 43.2, 43.5, 43.8.  I bet you find some great groups in that band.

[jeffmedlin]

Another "interesting" thing to me.... was the higher velocity printed on average 1/2" higher than the lower velocity rounds.... IDK why... but I always thought higher velocity would have been lower???  I don't know how I got that backwards... I would have lost the farm betting on that.

[jeffmedlin]

I vote to screw that new pipe on there...

Deep down I know you are right.. but I am so damn tight with money....and this damn thing - for a factory rifle is still pretty consistent at 1/2 moa or so....when I do my part.

[jeffmedlin]

I found my most precise loads using a 26" barrel/140 hybrid to be at around 2725 fps.  I would retest five shot groups at 300yds using 43.2, 43.5, 43.8.  I bet you find some great groups in that band.

Have ranges with steel all the way out to 2000 yards here.... but 200 yards is the farthest "paper" I can hang.... curious... think I will try those 3 recommended loads and try them at 200.  Still shoot 3 round groups @radoin ?

[jvw2008]

Another "interesting" thing to me.... was the higher velocity printed on average 1/2" higher than the lower velocity rounds.... IDK why... but I always thought higher velocity would have been lower???  I don't know how I got that backwards... I would have lost the farm betting on that.

All depends on where the muzzle is at the time the bullet clears the bore.

[DHuffman]

All depends on where the muzzle is at the time the bullet clears the bore.

Speed has little to to with it!

[gman47564]

jeff what did your ocw test look like that brought you to 43.8 gr. being the middle of your node... got any pic's of it ?

[jeffmedlin]

jeff what did your ocw test look like that brought you to 43.8 gr. being the middle of your node... got any pic's of it ?

I did keep it... and looking at it..... maybe the node was the charge before?

[jeffmedlin]

This was the last OCW test.....

[gman47564]

well the speed says its between 43.5 and 43.8.. you might try 43.6 and 43.7.  also I wonder what 44 gr. would give you as far as speed... I still say ditch that ole slow pipe and put a good one on it...lol

[jeffmedlin]

well the speed says its between 43.5 and 43.8.. you might try 43.6 and 43.7.  also I wonder what 44 gr. would give you as far as speed... I still say ditch that ole slow pipe and put a good one on it...lol

That is a Butt Load of powder to get it moving that fast......lol.  But.... to me, it still has some life left in it... so I will shoot it till it dies.

[jeffmedlin]

Am I reading the OCW target wrong.... or are both charges impacting at the same height?

[rardoin]

On second thought, after reviewing the OCW test I would retest 43.4, 43.6 and 43.8 with 5 shot groups at 200yds (if that is as far as you can go with paper).  You are pretty much there with a coarse OCW test; I shoot fine tests of .2gr differences using 5 shots on either side of a perceived node center.  I think your groups around 43.5 qualify for that.  Shooting 5 shots will really tell you where your best charge is.