Hunting load

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13 years 3 months ago #8242 by Ar10Aggie
Hunting load was created by Ar10Aggie
Looking to start working up load for hunting medium game. Looking for what powder and weight bullet have performed the best. And yes, i understand all bullets and guns shoot different. I will work my load for my rifle just looking for what projectile has performed better than some and possible powder type.

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13 years 3 months ago #8245 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Re: Hunting load
I'm having good luck with the 155 gr Palma Sierra Match King bullet (1256). They used to not recommend match bullets for hunting, but now they say the 155 gr PSMK has good expansion and weight retention. I shot 2 bucks and a hog this year and the bullets expanded perfectly at 75 yards and 200 yards leaving nice exit holes of about 2 inches diameter.

I'm shooting an AR-10T, 1:11.25 twist, 20" barrel. It's consistently shooting 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards using Win brass, 46.0 gr Varget, Fed 210M primers, OAL 2.855. Also 48.0 gr of Varget with OAL 2.80 shot 1/2 groups, so I went with the lighter load. I changed the powder charge every 0.5 grains from I think 44.5-49 grs. I also tried 4895 and 3031 powders. I tried some 168 gr SMK bullets, but the 155 gr shot a little better. The 155 gr also have better ballistics coefficents.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Ar10Aggie

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13 years 1 month ago #8883 by CavScout62
Replied by CavScout62 on topic Re: Hunting load
Using the 155gr AMAX in a LC cas sitting on 45gr of IMR 4895 in my AR-10A4 gives me i ragged hole @ 100yards for a 5 shot group. Drops deer in thier tracks! Going to try the same basic load tomorrow only using 45gr of VARGET and see if anything is different, IE recoil, sound, accuracy, etc. Thanks for the load data. Keep Reloading.
CavScout62

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13 years 3 weeks ago #9025 by Ar10Aggie
Replied by Ar10Aggie on topic Re: Hunting load
Any luck with varget loads? Finally got around to shooting some 168gr Nosler combined technology in Winnie brass pushed by varget in 1gr increments from 41-45, 2.80, nothing astounding but all less than 2" at 100. No signs of pressure so I think I will run up to 48 and see if things tighten up! I shot 3 "burnout" shots with 168gr federal match and they touched. Was hoping these CT 168's where going to do the same. Thanks for load data, I am also going to try something in the 155 range.

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13 years 3 weeks ago #9027 by CavScout62
Replied by CavScout62 on topic Re: Hunting load
46grs of Varget under the same load parameters I listed for the 4895 gave the exact same result, one ragged hole @ 100. The muzzle blast seemed less with the Varget so I think I'm 'gonna load a box of each, alternating. The SMK 155 Palma is also a great bullet and I got it to tighten up quicker than I did the Hdy Amax 155 so I buy whatever I get the best deal on when it's time to shop. Have you or anyone you know tried the SMK 150gr bullet? I'd like to know gow they and the SMK 165gr's do as well. I've always had good luck with 165gr bullets in both 308Win & 30-06Sprngfld.
CS62

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12 years 9 months ago #10215 by weshowe
Replied by weshowe on topic Re: Hunting load
Gents,

I was looking for a hunting load that matched the ballistics and accuracy of my M118LR duplication load.

It turned out that a 180 grain Noslter Ballistic Tip, 44.3 gr Varget, Winchester mactch prep'd case, Federal 210 primer and an OAL of 2.800" gave 2,640 FPS and shoot into one ragged hole at 100. Exact POI, too.

This is out of my M40A1. I'm going to try it in my M14SA and GAP AR-10 to see what happens. I'll report back.

Wes

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