I started testing RL-25 today since I have 10 pounds of it.
It was the first time shooting my new rifle that Randy (RD Precision) built me. I started off zeroing the rifle and had to do it the old fashioned way since my bore scope went TU. So after getting on paper at 50 and dialing in at a hundred. I shot one round at a .85 inch dot and center punched it. I then shot a few groups through the chrono to see what HSM's 175gr match ammo was running at through my rifle. All rounds were under 2750 fps. So it seems that most 30-06 ammo out there is loaded to be safe in a Garand, or so I believe.
So with 20 rounds of HSM through her. I settled in to some load testing. Last night I loaded up 20 rounds. 5 each of 62, 62.5, 63, and 63.5. I loaded all rounds at 3.35 oal. Hornady 180 grain BTHP Match bullets, Win cases, and 210 primers.
62 - 2804 average es = 23
62.5 - 2823.8 average es = 24
63 - 2848.6 average es = 18
63.5 - 2876.8 average es = 26
The best groups were with the 63.5 and the 62.5 but it could have been me. There were zero pressure signs so I think I will cram a bit more powder in and see what waits up over 2900.
I shot a 10 round group with some Fiocchi 180 grain match afterwards. 1.204 inches with three mistakes by me and if take the two worst mistakes out it's .698 inches. I'll do some more dry fire and tighten the "package" up.
I currently have 50 rounds through this rifle.
It was the first time shooting my new rifle that Randy (RD Precision) built me. I started off zeroing the rifle and had to do it the old fashioned way since my bore scope went TU. So after getting on paper at 50 and dialing in at a hundred. I shot one round at a .85 inch dot and center punched it. I then shot a few groups through the chrono to see what HSM's 175gr match ammo was running at through my rifle. All rounds were under 2750 fps. So it seems that most 30-06 ammo out there is loaded to be safe in a Garand, or so I believe.
So with 20 rounds of HSM through her. I settled in to some load testing. Last night I loaded up 20 rounds. 5 each of 62, 62.5, 63, and 63.5. I loaded all rounds at 3.35 oal. Hornady 180 grain BTHP Match bullets, Win cases, and 210 primers.
62 - 2804 average es = 23
62.5 - 2823.8 average es = 24
63 - 2848.6 average es = 18
63.5 - 2876.8 average es = 26
The best groups were with the 63.5 and the 62.5 but it could have been me. There were zero pressure signs so I think I will cram a bit more powder in and see what waits up over 2900.
I shot a 10 round group with some Fiocchi 180 grain match afterwards. 1.204 inches with three mistakes by me and if take the two worst mistakes out it's .698 inches. I'll do some more dry fire and tighten the "package" up.
I currently have 50 rounds through this rifle.