BERGER 105 GRAIN LRHT

[BD1]

So today, after the match, (I was second, my own fault entirely), I stayed to try out my new Garmin Xero C1, and double check the velocities I had previously recorded for the 109 grain LRHTs over 28.5 grains of LVR. They checked out within 5 fps average of what my old shooting crony had told me at 2609fps average velocity, SD 12.5, out of my 22" barrel. 
I had gotten a couple boxes of the 105 grainers as well and I loaded up 50 of them in new starline brass to do a barrel tuner ladder for the Little Tuna on my little bastard that I have just not had time to mess around with. I loaded them at the same 28.5 grains of LVR not being overly concerned with the exact load for the tuner ladder, and needing to get some more brass fire formed to my chamber. I didn't have time today to do the tuner ladder, but I figured while I was there I might as well crony 5 of those to get an idea of the velocity. I was sighted in at 440 yds with the 109s, so for the crony I just held on the 400 yard steel silhouette and put two slow shoots into the center watching for the impacts, which I couldn't see as the center was pretty shot up. So for fun I held on the head and put three fast shots there which I could see as the paint on the "head" was undisturbed. And they were close. Serendipity! Av vel was 2615.7 and the SD was 4.7.  I drove down to the 400 yard line on my way out and the two body shots were within 3/4" and the three fast head shots were around 2".  Looks like I may have stumbled onto a good load purely by luck!

[SpeyRod]

I’d be happy with that! Some rounds are like that. They shoot well across a wide selection of combos.

Enjoy and congrats on the shoot!

[BD1]

I was back to my work computer today where Quickload lives, (Windows only program), and entered the parameters and data from the chrony.  More good news! Quickload predicted velocity at 2.80 COAL within 5.7 fps of my actual velocity, and predicted pressure at 50,150 psi.  I like this as Quickload had been predicting velocities 20 fps slower than I was getting with the 109 grainers and showing pressures a little above 52,000. 
It gives me a little more confidence in adjusting the COAL and powder charge when QL is closely tracking real world results.

[BD1]

So I pushed the 105 Bergers over LVR a little harder. The good news is that the 28.7 grain load at 2.280 produced a .766" group at 200 yards with an SD of 2.4. That makes me happy. The bad news is that it does not track quick load very well as you get near max. At 29 grains it was 50 fps faster than QL predicted.  QL shows 29.3 grains as slightly over max producing 2660 fps at 52361. In my rifle 29 grains produced 2684 fps. I've attached a pic of this ladder.

[Lemonaid]

Thanks for the post. Would you say the Berger bullets are worth the extra price compared to the Hornady or Barnes 105's?

[BD1]

Thanks for the post.  Would you say the Berger bullets are worth the extra price compared to the Hornady or Barnes 105's?

I haven't tried any of the Hornady or Barnes in the 6ARC so I can't say. I've had very good accuracy with the 105 grain Bergers over LVR, less so with the 109s.