New to Rifle Reloading Question

[Halibut Chaser]

Recently started reloading for my Rem. 700 30'06. I've been playing with powders to try to find a load that the gun likes. I have found I get some decent groups (about 1" @ 50 yds) with IMR 4064 using both Accubond 165 gn with 49.5 gn and with TSX 168 gn with 45 gn. The question I have is the point of impact is considerably different. The Accubond 165 is centered and about 2.5" low while the TSX 168 is about 2.3" left and about 3.5" hi. Does this sound normal? Any input would be helpful. Thanks.

[rbuck351]

It's not unusual for different bullets or powder charges to have different points of impact although that's a lot of difference at 50yds. You may have some bedding issues that need dealt with.

[LeonardC]

Sounds normal enough for me. I 'm not surprised different bullets at different pressures cause all kinds of different results coming down your barrel and on its way to the target. I've (and I think many many reloaders) tried to get different weight bullets to hit pretty close to the same POI from the same rifle. It can be a challenge. Then again some rifles don't seem to care much who made the bullet so long as they're pretty close, as in Nosler 168 match bullets and SMK 168 bullets...a little different but close enough to be usable. In your case, the bullets are very different as is your powder load.

Edit: Heck, some days my groups are so large I wouldn't even notice the difference you're getting.

[Halibut Chaser]

Thanks. I also had about the same results as far as POI with Accubond loaded at 47.5 gn and TSX @ 47 gn. The groups were pretty close to the same size.

[OKElkHunter]

Not unusual. I got similar results with 165 grain hornady GMXs and 165 grain hornady interlocks. The GMXs shot about 1 1/2 inch left of the interlocks, but the groups were about the same.

[Smitty of the North]

Recently started reloading for my Rem. 700 30'06. I've been playing with powders to try to find a load that the gun likes. I have found I get some decent groups (about 1" @ 50 yds) with IMR 4064 using both Accubond 165 gn with 49.5 gn and with TSX 168 gn with 45 gn. The question I have is the point of impact is considerably different. The Accubond 165 is centered and about 2.5" low while the TSX 168 is about 2.3" left and about 3.5" hi. Does this sound normal? Any input would be helpful. Thanks.

One bullet is jacketed with a lead core, and the other is a monometal bullet.

Beeg difference in bullets, might account for a beeg diff in trajectory, and POI.

Smitty of the North

[alaskabliss]

I see differences like that in both my 06's. They both absolutly love the 168 gr TSX. The biggest difference is they both like different powders. One loves Varget and the other H4350. I always shoot groups at 100 yards when testing to make the math easier on my brain.

[Halibut Chaser]

Thanks again for the input. I was shooting at 50 yards only because I was trying six different loads and didn't want to be changing targets that much. But now that I have the results its time pick a load and get it sighted in.

[4merguide]

But now that I have the results its time pick a load and get it sighted in.

You might look up the "Ladder" method for when it comes to sighting in new loads....

[.338WM]

With charge weights differing by 4.5grains and dissimilar bullet construction and materials, I would expect very different results, comparatively. The OAL seating depth is likely different as well, at least where the ogive is concerned, length of the ogive, friction in the barrel, a polymer tip vs. a hollow point, etc. IMO it is a waste of time to compare one bullet to the other when different charges are pushing them.

Develop a load for one, then devolp a load for the other bullet, look at them independently, then pursue the most promising combination. If none prove promising, start anew with a different powder or bullet, etc.

[PRDATR]

I don't have the time to look at the specs of both bullets but I'll make an educated guess the OAL and bearing surface is distinctly different between the two.

[Halibut Chaser]

Yes the OAL and BC are different. Accubonds OAL 3.323 BC .475 TSX OAL 3.275 BC .404. Guess that may be coming into play with this also.

[elmerkeithclone]

I've come to learn that I spent lots of years making it more complicated than it really needs to be. There are so many good bullets out there anymore that I just pick the one that I think would be best for my particular intent for that rifle and buy it and then play with a few different powders to make that bullet behave to my liking. I like Interbonds in 308/30-06 class rifles and it never took much playing to make them fly true enough for my purpose.

I used to buy 10 different bullets and 10 different powders and fiddle farted around and in the end any of the bullets would have worked if I had just worked up a load for that bullet.

[Smokey]

Like EKC says if your just wanting a solid shooting hunting load keep it simple as you work it up... If you like to tinker there is no end to the misery you can put yourself through! Good Luck....

[Halibut Chaser]

Sounds like good advice. So far I have only used the TSX 168 and Accubond 165 and Accubond 180 for bullets. I have played with IMR 4064, IMR 4350, and a couple others. So I have been trying to not complicate things too much.