Remarks:
I tested all of the factory loads that I have been able to find so far in order to get a baseline performance for me to compare my handloads to. Factory hunting ammo for this caliber has been hard to find and expensive if you do find it.
Objective:
This rifle is my primary hunting rifle, especially for deer. For this setup, my goal is to develop a hunting load that is effective to 200+ yards. With this caliber, I need to achieve Muzzle Velocities in the 2,200 fps to ensure the bullet will deliver at least 1,000 ft/lbs of energy past 200 yards.
Conditions:
- Date: 4/13/22
- Temperature: 80F
Firearm:
- Barrel: PSA 12” 1:7 Twist
- Upper: PSA
- Lower: PSA
- Lower Parts: PSA
- Trigger: Larue MBT-2
Factory Loads Tested:
- Hornady 123gr ELD Match
G1 B.C.: 0.506
COL.: 2.251 (avg)
CBTO: 1.677 (avg) - Hornady 123gr Custom SST
G1 B.C.: 0.510
COL.: 2.246 (avg)
CBTO: 1.664 (avg) - Federal 120gr Fusion
G1 B.C.: 0.340
COL.: 2.232 (avg)
CBTO: 1.695 (avg) - Wolf Military Classic 100gr FMJ
G1 B.C.: —
COL.: — (avg)
CBTO: — (avg) - Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision
Results:
- Bullet Performance
- Hornady 123gr ELD Match
- Hornady 123gr Custom SST
- Federal 120gr Fusion (only had 4 rounds to test with)
- Wolf Military Classic 100gr FMJ
- Optimal Ballistics Table
- Optimal Bullet Drop
Summary:
I felt like I was having a decent shooting day and at the time, I thought these groups were going to be better. I have shot much better groups with HRN 123gr ELD Match with this rifle, so I’m thinking my rifle could use a cleaning. Overall, I think the HRN 123gr Custom SST was the best performer so far. I will retest this load after cleaning my rifle to confirm but this is probably the round I would use for hunting. If I can get the accuracy tightened up, this round would be effective out to 250 yards no problem.