I was bow hunting this week-end, but camped out in the Sheyenne River valley where I also did a little shooting. A few years ago I gave away a hand press, only to buy a new one not as good for twice the money this summer. So I did a little reloading and chronographing in camp. Really need a lab radar.
In my Savage action with a Criterion barrel I have a very long throat and used the early factor load which was 41.5 gr H4350 with a 140 gr bullet. I was using 140 Berger VLDs. I shot some 140 AMAX and 123 AMAX in that rifle, but the accuracy wasn't there compared to the VLD. So a month ago I purchased a Savage 10BA Stealth in 6.5 Creedmoor. I picked up 100 of the 143 ELD-X and they shot very well so I picked up 500 more bullets. The BA Stealth has a shorter throat and the magazine is even shorter. I would have to shoot the VLDs single shot because they like to be close to the lands. The ELD-X I have loaded with different distances from the lands and they are all accurate.
So back to reloading and shooting in camp. I took along a battery powered scale and my chronograph. I wanted to do some playing around with Western Powders specifically Bighorn Hunter. I started out at minimum recommended load and the pressure was so low I jumped a full grain, another full grain, a half grain, another half grain, and I think I can go another half grain or more. When I stopped I was at 2794 fps. I think I can get it to 2825 of a little better. At 800 yards it was striking a full minute of angle higher than my old loads. Turned the scope down and the group looked good to the spotter, but I have not put it on paper yet.
I wish I knew if there was any difference in temperature sensitivity between H4350 and Bighorn Hunter which is a ball powder. Some of the ball powders don't ignite well in very cold temperatures, and lose a little velocity.
