Monthly Archives: March 2023

Browning X-Bolt Speed- Testing with Vihtavuori N560 Smokeless Gun Powder and Nosler 175g ABLR’s-Updated

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In prep for my 7mm Rem Mag cartridge custom loads and my fall Newfoundland Moose hunt I had some difficulty getting Reloader 22 powder for reloading my 7mm Rem Mag.

Accordingly, I purchased some available Vihta. N560 Powder that Nosler had listed for 7mm Rem Mag with Nosler 175 grain ABLR’s with a 24 inch barrel and 9 twist.

Vihtavuori N560 1 Pound of Smokeless Powder

Its burn rate is near to RL 22. My rifle is a 26 inch barrel and 9.5 twist. Subtle differences in length and twist can shift ideal powder burn rate preferences to one side or another. You just have to find the sweet spot and the powder. 

Early N560 Powder results showed extreme spread (ES) and standard deviation (SD), at lower velocities, were excellent, thus I continued working up the load. 

Many handloaders have found that some rifles with 9.5 twist rates do not like the 175 grain bullets’ accuracy but so far my rifle likes them with this N560 powder.

As those who experiment with loads are aware, powder, can and does vary from lot-to-lot, thus backing off to starting loads and working up slowly is best. Observing the cartridge case and resulting primer can tell quite a bit as you approach a max load. As you incrementally approach hotter loads, the primer will begin to flatten into a pancake.

I try to avoid what some call “sticky bolt”, a term for supposedly “manageable” over pressure. So far so good.

As I load each round, I use a sharpie pen to write the powder name, grains, and bullet type/weight used on the brass.

I have achieved the near to 3000 fps under preliminary testing at an outside temperature of 45ºF and cartridge and primers look flatter but normal. First 3 shot group was just 1.0 inches at 100 yards. 

Next is to check for Extreme Spread and Standard Deviation below with Labradar data.

Browning X-Bolt Speed 175g ABLR w/Viht N560 Powder 65.7g OAL 3.440                                      
Outside Temperature 48F
Total number of shots 3                                 
Group 1 inch
Units avg  velocity fps                                         
Units distances yd                                         
Units weight grain (gr)                                    
                                                             
Stats – Average 2974.61                                 
Stats – Highest 2987.57                                 
Stats – Lowest 2961.27                                  
Stats – Ext. Spread 26.3                               
Stats – Std. Dev 13.16                                  
Shot ID V0 V25 V50 V75 Proj. Weight Date Time
1 2961 2925 2889 2851 175 4/2/2023 11:28:09
2 2975 2934 2896 2859 175 4/2/2023 11:28:39
3 2988 2945 2905 2866 175 4/2/2023 11:29:17

JBM Ballistic Data indicates 1891 ft-lbs delivered at 600 Yards, 10 mph crosswind moves the bullet 17 inches left or right. At 500 yds delivers 2100 ft-lbs and 11 inch crosswind. At 400 yds delivers 2330 ft-lbs and 7 inch crosswind.

Next is to practice at those distances and collect real field data to see what limitations surface. More to come!

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2023 

Adding a Timney Trigger to my Browning X-Bolt Speed

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Removing the two mounting bolts, you can pop out the barrel and action with some finagling and prying. It is a tight fit. 

Here is the Timney Trigger below.

Below there are 2 pins that hold the trigger in the half moon cutouts in the barrel. Use a 1/16 punch to remove the two pins and the trigger will come off. 

The part I did not expect is that the Timney did not just drop in. The forward slot was too narrow to fit in the half moon cutout. I had to grind off a few thousandths from the trigger housing to widen the slot with a Dremel tool. 

Below you can see my Dremel tool that I used to grind the forward pin housing a bit. Took me 20 minutes to grind and fit it. Not overly hard with the right tool. Some triggers drop in to those slots in videos. 

Below is the Timney trigger installed. The whole process took me about an hour or less.

I put my Lyman Trigger test gauge on the Timney and as expected it measured 3 pounds almost. Two pounds fifteen point nine ounces. I tested again at 3 pounds exact. Test the safety slide to be sure it works. Mounting bolts need torque to 35 inch-lbs.

Below is a video that helped me.

 

Good Shooting.

©Copyright 2023 

 

 

 

 

Hunting and Buck Fever

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Buck Fever is when the hunter sees wild game, such as deer, and has intent to harvest/kill, your body releases adrenaline which readies us for what is immediately about to unfold as a fight or to get away… flight.

Adrenaline comes from our ancestral protection mechanism biologists and anthropologists call “fight-or-flight”. 

Adrenaline provides a heightened-state -of-being and is an essential element veteran hunters seek. The moment of truth is exhilarating for many, me included.

Buck Fever can often come with nervousness, heavy breathing, elevated blood pressure, and the shakes known as “buck-fever.” Hunter’s have even fallen from their tree-stand from uncontrolled shakes. 

Some of this heightened state is good, however, too often, new hunters and some older hunters lose the ability to control it during the shot sequence.

I was reminded of the story of the hunter who aimed and working the bolt emptied the cartridges, where, nary a shot was fired, yet later swore he or she shot the rifle 5 times.

Recently a guide recalls a bear hunter who shot a bear, and the guide said; “Shoot him again” and the hunter did not completely eject the round. Some guides call it short-stroking the bolt”.

Even veteran hunters who do not practice multiple shots experience this if not practiced. 

Adrenaline is an essential part of hunting, but, to be successful, the hunter must control the adrenaline.

I find that hunting where there is abundant game like bird hunting for example, allow us to experience it.

Accordingly, after repeated exposure to, say a bird flushing or ducks coming to your decoys, yes, you missed, but another chance and you are successful.

Your brain learns adrenaline control over time.

Deer hunting here in New Hampshire you may not see game that often, thus adrenaline can be less controlled as say hunting deer in a state that has many deer and many hits of adrenaline. 

My hunt in Africa was a prime example of my guide/professional hunter (PH), got me to harvest lesser game animals while observing my buck fever.

Where game is aplenty, hunter learn to control the so-called “Buck Fever. ” 

Make the first shot count!

Aim small miss small!

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2023 

 

Basic Rifle Cartridge Reloading Dies

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Decades ago, I started out by shooting a few boxes of .270 Winchester ammo and kept the brass. This once fired ammo case is a great start to reload. But you need dies to reform brass, add a primer, powder and press the bullet.

For me, reloading is the ultimate satisfaction of doing-it-yourself like DIY.

Like chipping a broadhead from a piece of stone and killing game by your own hand as our ancestors did is the ultimate in satisfaction. 

The component of a cartridge requires a brass case to hold the powder, primer and bullet.

The brass needs to be “resized” in reloading dies, spent primer removed and replaced (left die) and a bullet seating die (right).

Full-Length Die Set - Group A - Popular Rifle Cartridges

 But new brass can be purchased too. See image below.

A reloading press and dies are essential. There are several companies who cater to reloaders.

A basic bottle-neck die set consists of two dies, one to resize the case and another to press the bullet into the case. See Photo above.

Every cartridge caliber needs its own die set. Die set costs to load for hunting typically cost less than $70.00 for a set.

Reloading for long distance hunting and shooting can be more exacting and cost much more. Like this Redding Die Set with micrometer bullet seating.

Redding Premium Series Die Sets

 

I had my first Savage .270 Winchester and loaded it with an RCBS Press and dies 40 years ago.  I use it to this day and saved untold dollars and Did-It-Myself…to my great satisfaction. I hunted Africa with my custom loads.

The key to good reloading technique is to read reloading manuals and guides, watch reloading video’s on you-tube. Listen and pay attention to areas of safety. Inspect your brass and spent primers for gas leaks, case damage of older brass. RCBS offers a free downloadable reloading guide.

https://www.rcbs.com/rcbs-downloadable-guide.html

Companies like Nosler, Hornady, Speer, Lyman, and several others sell reloading manuals. My two favorite manuals are Nosler and Hornady. Don’t forget all the videos on the web. 

Check-it-Out

 

 

 

Cartridge Reloading Gives Me More Shooting and Hunting Satisfaction

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When store shelves are bare of your favorite rifle cartridge and bullet, I just reach into my reloading cupboard and load some up and go hunt or shoot.

Yes, sometime I run out of something but more than not, I have it before the big stores have your pet load.

Beyond that, my cartridges are customized to my rifle thus increasing accuracy. 

A sense of accomplishment? You bet!

Many years ago I purchased an RCBS Reloading press and never looked back. Reloading your own cartridges are a cost effective solution too, if you shoot regularly. I load pistol cartridges too.  

There are other reloading press companies and beginner kits out there to get you started.

RCBS offers the Explorer Reloading Kit for just $339.99.

https://www.rcbs.com/rcbs-kits/explorer-reloading-kit-2/16-9288.html

Explorer Reloading Kit 2

Or

Hornady Reloading Equipment

https://www.hornady.com/reloading/getting-started#!/

Go Hornady reloading with Rosie to get going! 

Great fun this spring!

 

 

 

Long Range Shooting with Handloads – Powder can vary Lot to Lot- Take Extra Care with Max Loads

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In loading for moose with my Browning X-Bolt 7mm Rem Mag, I continue experimenting with powders and bullets . My two favorite bullets are Nosler ABLR 168 and 175 grain bullets. In the process, I am aware that I am looking for max loads and accuracy too.

As a result, I discovered measurable lot to lot variation in some powders. Alliant Reloader 22 is one of those I see vary,  and on the lower side so far…a good thing.

Thus, I approach new powder lots with more caution. Instead of loading hot loads with the same grain weight as my last lot, I back off a few grains or more and work up several rounds with my chronograph and inspect the brass and primer for overpressure signs.

At max loads you should also be aware that some magnum primers can be hotter and will effect velocity and may create overpressure as well if your are on the cusp.

Those who really push their rifle and cartridge in winter time can find those rounds perhaps too hot in summer when temps are in the 90’s. Why is my bolt sticking, you ask?

I think to keep my winter max loads a bit lighter and be aware of loads you loaded winter to summer. Dating them can help.  

Load Safely!

7mm Rem Mag Long Distance Hunting Accuracy and why you might need a Ballistic Wind Meter

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I am a hunter, and try to keep my shots within my skill level. I have never taken a shot at game beyond 300 yards. However, I will, this fall, be exposed to shots at bull moose out to 400 to 600 yards.  Thus, I must, to seriously train to see where my limitations are.

That includes my rifle tuning as well. As my readers know, I will be hunting with my new Browning X-Bolt 26 inch/9.5 twist barrel with Nosler 168g AccuBonds Long Range.

Perhaps one of the most important “unknown” variables for long range hunting is wind speed and direction. At 90º to your shot direction, wind will blow your bullet off the center of your target at its worst. But wind blowing at you or toward your animal, the sideways force of the wind on your bullet is at its minimum, thus it should be true. The big question is, what is the wind speed? And what is the drift at 90º?

Drift Table 90º for 7mm Rem Mag 168g Nosler ABLR wit muzzle vel. 2960fps

Distance         10mph     15mph    20mph    Angle

200                  2in            3in         4in          90

300                  4in            6in         8in          90

400                  8in            11in       15in        90

500                  12in          18 in      24in        90

600                   18in         27in       36in        90

At 400 yards at 10mph the bullet will drift 8 inches across a 12 inch circle on a moose chest, thus you will have to aim right or left of your point-of-aim by 8 inches. This is doable if your wind speed is accurate. At 500 yards you need to move 12 inches on a 90º drift. The big question is how do you determine wind direction and speed at long range? You not only need a laser rangefinder, you also need a wind meter for an accurate shot. 

I have a cheap one but maybe get a better one. There are dozens on the market. Best meters are made by Kestrel. My son has the ballistics model Kestrel 5700 and he loves it. Retails around $449.00.  On a $7000 dollar hunt for my Newfoundland Bog moose where distances are easily at the edge of rifle and hunter capabilities. This is an item to strongly consider. See this article below for options.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-kestrel-shooting-hunting/

 

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Good Hunting!