First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

[uracowman]

I am fairly new to precision shooting and I don't claim to be great by any means. I am just looking for some advice.

I am new to handloads and just rezero'd my gun using the fruits of my labor. The ammo was 168 grain hornady AMAXs with 43 grains of imr 4064 behind it. The brass was federal FC marked brass from GMM ammo sized to 2.8 OAL.

In the above photo, it's definitely sub MOA, but it's over .5 MOA. If I had to take a conservative guess, I would say .8 MOA.

here is a 7 shot group at 100 yards after the adjustment. I don't know what happened on that shot to the far right, but the rest are pretty good, but not great.

Now in regards to my gun, what do you .308 TRG owners load as far as powder is concerned, AND what do you guys load as far as ogive/OAL?

 

[High Binder]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

4064 is a great powder. Your groups are big but being a beginner that's to be expected.

You might try a 10shot group of a known good ammo like Federal GMM to see how <span style="text-decoration: underline">you</span> shoot then you'll have a baseline to compare your hand-loads to.

 

[timelinex]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">4064 is a great powder. Your groups are big but being a beginner that's to be expected.

You might try a 10shot group of a known good ammo like Federal GMM to see how <span style="text-decoration: underline">you</span> shoot then you'll have a baseline to compare your hand-loads to.</div></div>

+1 ... Looks like alot of lateral spread there. I'm pretty sure that usually is more representative of your shooting skills rather than ammo.

 

[uracowman]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timelinex</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">4064 is a great powder. Your groups are big but being a beginner that's to be expected.

You might try a 10shot group of a known good ammo like Federal GMM to see how <span style="text-decoration: underline">you</span> shoot then you'll have a baseline to compare your hand-loads to.</div></div>

+1 ... Looks like alot of lateral spread there. I'm pretty sure that usually is more representative of your shooting skills rather than ammo. </div></div>
agreed

I sort of rushed the last 5 shots out of my magazine after I hit two in the red after the rezero, but I need to set a day out where I go for absolute accuracy at 100 yards.

 

[dal2112]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

Hi, i shoot trg as well for years now reloading with 7828 and n560 with very good results. N560 is super clean and hot but expensive per pound. i used 1 inch grid targets to real zero in at 100yrds gives a good idea when adjusting for loads as well.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

my TRG loves the 175 SMk with 45 gr of varget in winchester brass (don't try that much in federal brass), it shoots sub MOA all day all the way to 1000.
try to keep your cheeck on the stock while working the bolt, it may help with your lateral groupings.
hope this helps.

 

[CleanMoostang]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

Don't own a TRG, but for your overall length, I seat mine to the size of my box magazine, then bring it in .010 to make sure it has a little room to move around and not rub the box...

Looks good tho friend, <span style="text-decoration: line-through"><span style="color: #FF0000">kept</span></span> keep up the good work.

 

[richardj]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

This is "Just an opinion" so take it with a grain of salt..... you'd probably find you do better if you lose the shooting groups plan and go get and run the 21 dot target (search on SH for it) especially with a new rifle/system get some shooting in and make sure the rifle is set up for your build (length of pull etc.) and then concentrate on the fundamentals.

When you get to the range with some time in hand (as you mentioned) start with some dry-fire and make sure you have Natural Point of Aim during dryfire (all the time actually, what I'm trying to say is that dry-fire should be executed like a real shot)

It will all come together and those errant right/left trending shots will go away and you'll be left with sub 0.5MOA and be ready to stretch the range out without getting frustrated.

Other stuff to remember....
Natutral Point of Aim
Grip (firm handshake)
Cheek weld
Cheek pressure
Butt of rifle in Shoulder with pressure forward on to the Bipod or pull the stock into your shoulder (one or the other)
Pad of finger on the trigger (and think about pulling the trigger straight back)
Breathing / Respiratory Pause
Squeeze off the shot

Good Luck and congratulations on the new rifle those TRG's are v. Nice!

RJ

 

[littlecalm]

Re: First group out w/ handloads. Anyone shoot a TRG?

I use 155 Scenars, 175 Berger OTM Tacticals and 175 SMKs .02 off the lands. Mostly Varget. FC, Lapua and Win brass. I agree -- forget the regular targets and use the Hide's dot targets.