Remarks:
Overall this was a decent load. The velocities were a litte lower than I hoped for but it does appear to have the potential to achieve some decent accuracy..
Objective:
This rifle is my longer range deer hunting rifle. For this setup, my goal is to develop a hunting load that is effective up to 350-400 yards. With this bullet, I need to achieve a MV of at least 2,450 fps to ensure the bullet will deliver at least 1,000 ft/lbs of energy past 350 yards. With this load work up, I’m looking to balance max accuracy with max velocity.
Conditions:
- Date: 5/7/22
- Temperature: 75F
- Wind: 0-5mph
Firearm:
- Barrel: PSA 18” 1:7 Twist
- Upper: PSA
- Lower: PSA
- Lower Parts: PSA
- Trigger: Larue MBT-2
Components:
- Bullet: Hornady 123 gr SST – G1 B.C.: 0.510
- Powder: Hodgdon Varget
- Primer: CCI #41
- Brass: Hornady
- Dies: Lee Pacesetter 3-die set
- Chronograph: Caldwell Ballistic Precision
Measurements:
- Case Trim Length: 1.510
- C.O.L.: 2.245
- C.B.T.O: 1.678
Load / Model Data:
- Gordons Reloading Tool Data
- Charge Data
- GRT Pressure Curve
- Expected Ballistics Table
- Expected Bullet Drop
Results:
- 26.5 Grains (4 shot group)
- 27.0 Grains
- 27.5 Grains
- 28.0 Grains (This is the load I would use)
- 28.5 Grains
- Optimal Ballistics Table
- Optimal Bullet Drop
Brass:
Summary:
This load performed pretty well and had fantastic ES/SD numbers. At 28.0 grains, I had a 0.79 MOA group without that flyer and I’m pretty sure that was me. I will retest that load to confirm but with that velocity and group size, I would feel comfortable hunting to 300 yards. There were slight pressure signs (ejector smears) on my brass at the higher charge weights but nothing terrible. These loads also got pretty compressed at the higher end so be aware of that.