I think I'm going to be busy...

Yep! Looks like you'll be spending quality time at both benches, loading and shooting!

Gosh, I hope it isn't too hard on ya...

No 40 and 45 grs? When your barrel has a slow twist they might be the ticket for foxes… a very safe ticket because they 'vanish' on contact...

and IMHO: I don't like Sierra's 60 gr HP for hunting (in my .222's). I never forget I've lost 2 roebucks with them and none (till now) with the 63 gr SMP...
and the hunting always starts between the hunter's ears...

Aloysius wrote:

No 40 and 45 grs? When your barrel has a slow twist they might be the ticket for foxes… a very safe ticket because they 'vanish' on contact... and IMHO: I don't like Sierra's 60 gr HP for hunting (in my .222's). I never forget I've lost 2 roebucks with them and none (till now) with the 63 gr SMP... and the hunting always starts between the hunter's ears...

Barrel's 1:10 twist rate matey & the rifle makers said 50-65gr bullets work best with it.
Noted ref the #1375 HP - I'll see how they fare on Reynard first before considering them even for muntjac.

PaulS wrote:

Gosh, I hope it isn't too hard on ya...

I know. It's a burden I'll just have to bear.

By the time you get through all that youll be up for a new barrel....
Great varmit round.
Have fun.

Question for those with far more knowledge than I have.

Most of the reloading data I'm seeing, (both online from bullet/powder makers & in the five reloading manuals I have to hand) is based on a barrel with a 1:14 twist.

Would I be correct in thinking a 1:10 twist will require a small reduction in maximum load to keep pressures the same?

Also, Sierra state their Blitzking bullets should be kept below 3,600fps MV & according to my quick calculations, keeping to the same rotational speed would require an MV of just under 2,600fps, which surely can't be right.

Can’t help you with your question mate, but I can say you have an awful lot of enjoyment in front of you...both loading and shooting.

I must agree with dhc4ever...your barrel is gonna cop a caning mate. My shooting buddy claims a max of 4500 rounds before needing to replace his barrel.

Vince wrote:

Can’t help you with your question mate, but I can say you have an awful lot of enjoyment in front of you...both loading and shooting. I must agree with dhc4ever...your barrel is gonna cop a caning mate. My shooting buddy claims a max of 4500 rounds before needing to replace his barrel.

If I wear the barrel out I'll be bleedin' ecstatic matey, as it'll mean I've done an eckofalot of shooting.

ETA Just checked the price of a new barrel - equivalent to $1040 (US), so it'll cost me $0.23 a shot!

I've 14 different bullets to try at an initial 20-25 shots each to find the most promising, then perhaps another 50 shots each for the three or four favourites to fine tune them. Still leaves me 4,000 more before I kick the bucket, plus there's the .243 & .270 & the .22 rimfires.

I always keep barrel heating to a minimum by taking along at least two rifles, so I fire five shots from one (I don't see a three shot group as indicative), then it gets to cool whilst I fire five from the next, then a few from one of the .22s.
Trouble is, the nearest decent covered range is 55 miles from here & only goes to 100yds - it's another 30 miles to one that stretches further, though it goes all the way to 3,520yds...

a man with more than one bullet, doesn't know where to point his gun!

slimjim wrote:

a man with more than one bullet, doesn't know where to point his gun!

The intent here is to find the right bullet.
I doubt I'll get to the range before mid February (holed up at home with a severe chest infection & two lots of antibiotics) but in the meantime I'm getting stuff ready...

Next to be done is the other five .224 types, then some .277 from 90gr to 150.

What are ya' shootin' at?

I have a very accurate .22-250 load using Sierra 52 gr. HPBT Match bullets (#1410) that is devastating on everything up the size of a coyote.

hunterjoe21 wrote:

What are ya' shootin' at? I have a very accurate .22-250 load using Sierra 52 gr. HPBT Match bullets (#1410) that is devastating on everything up the size of a coyote.

Fox, crow, muntjac & Chinese water deer.
Can't legally use anything except expanding bullets on live quarry bigger than a rabbit here.

just now noticed the 2 packets of hornady 55grn bog std softpoints....if they are the same ones hornady load in bulk pack .223 they should be awesome. head shot two house muttons with them on Saturday evening,both at about 40 yards and both sheep suddenly had VERY bulgy eyeballs...did the same to a red spiker at 75ish yards on boxing day.....really good preformance from a cheap projectile. if mine are doing 3000ish fps they should be deadly for you and you will have same preformance Im getting out further.