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Daniel Schindler

Greetings. Always nice to be here. What follows is a simple update on my recent rifle work.

For the record, I’m neither technically inclined or a competition pro. When it comes to reloading and shooting, I am a skilled hobbyist and have been successful with that for 60+ years. The goal being hunting / shooting competently. A meticulous reloader, I stick to the basics and abide by my reloading manual data.

As for rifle, powder and bullet preferences, my reference source is our host here and his extraordinary books. Thank you Nathan.

I’m presently taking baby steps into learning to “dial.” Personal goal being to attain competency out to 500, maybe 600. Yeah, not far for some, but for hunting, it is for me. Ethics. Rifle being dedicated to this venture? A Bergara B 14 Hunter in 30-06. Nice rifle. Trigger cleaned up a bit by a knowledgeable pro. 1.8 lbs.

My current 100 yard zero sighting in process? Underwhelming would be an understatement. OK. Perseverance and all that. This 30-06 rifle is capable of better than I’m getting out of it. More coaxing, load testing in 2 days.

Yesterday, decided to pull the Tikka Roughtech .270 Winchester from the safe. Previously proven sub moa accurate, 5 shot groups. Went into my workshop and built a ladder load, 3 Hornady Manual loads with 50 – 51 – 52 grains IMR 4350. Winchester brass, standard primers, 150 gr SST.

Today, at the 100 yard range, the barrel was allowed to cool between every shot. Time consuming but I prefer it that way. Barrel heat variable eliminated.

First load…5 shot group yielded 1”. OK? Maybe…hoping for better. Patience Danny.

Second load, first round…dead on the money. Chill. Reload, reset. Second round went through the same hole. Seriously. Exactly. Third shot? Same. Barely. I called it the same. Barrel and I waited in the shade to cool. No pressure…right? Time’s up. Settled in behind the Leupold. A few minutes apart, the next 2 rounds expanded the hole by 1/8th inch. Hallelujah.

Third load yielded the same as the first. What a difference +/- 1 grain can make.

Please understand…I work long hours, making loading and shooting time hard to come by. This time, a plan came together. Blessed, I was rewarded by my work and 1 small hole in a 100 yard target. Will test at longer yardages.

The Tikka’s taken the lead. For now.

Thanks for sharing this with me.

Cheers.

Danny