H & S Project Rifle part 4 – First shots.
With the scope mounted onto the rifle it was time to run in the barrel and test a few loads for accuracy. For this testing I would be using a mix of Remington 175 grain Factory ammunition and some 175 and 180 grain hand loads.
The photo above shows the private 100 yard range used to test the rifle. This range features a solid, 5m long shooting bench with plenty of room for equipment and enough length for the chronograph to be set up to record the velocity of all shots fired.
The rifle barrel was run in by first cleaning the factory grease/oil out of the barrel. Then the barrel was cleaned between each shot for the first 10 shots. After that the barrel was cleaned after each 3 or 4 shot group fired.
I started off testing with a single round of Remington factory ammunition to check the rifle for function. Then I loaded up and fired a number of rounds in 1 grain increments until signs of pressure became obvious.
Powder used was AR2217 and AR2225. Bullets used were 175 grain Sierra Game King and 180 grain Berger VLD.
I then backed off a couple of grains and loaded up a few rounds for accuracy testing. This proved to be a bit disappointing but not unexpected considering the plastic stock and heavy trigger.
Below is a picture of my first three shot group, using Remington 175 grain Factory ammo at a measured average velocity of 2880 fps. This group measured just under 3 inches. It is not what I was hoping for.
The Remington factory ammo was very dirty burning. A large amount of black deposit was left in the bore and it was difficult to remove. The hand loads with ADI powder however burnt clean and left very little residue in the barrel.
Next I tried the Sierra and Berger hand loads. These were an improvement over the Remington factory ammo. With the best 4 shot group being just over 1 inch. This was with the Berger 180 grain bullet. The Sierra 175 grain load shot a group of just under 2 inches.
The 180 grain Berger load also recorded the best velocity at an average of 2855 fps using AR2225 powder. With AR2217 powder the average velocity was 150 fps slower at 2705 fps.
The trigger on this rifle is the X Mark Pro trigger and I expected it to be a lot better than it was. The weight of pull was over 4 lb. This is OK for a shoulder fired rifle but it is not the best for accurate bench shooting. This is one area where this rifle could be improved.
Below is a picture of some of the first groups shot by this rifle. There is plenty of room here for improvement! The bottom left target shows a single shot fired from a .338 Edge to check its zero. If only the SPS could shoot as well as the Edge.
Now that I know how well this rifle shoots as a stock standard factory rifle. It is time to try a few things and see if an improvement in its accuracy is possible. Next I will replace the stock , lighten the trigger and develop some more loads.
This group below shows promise. Now how will it shoot with a better stock and trigger?
Related posts:
- 2010 HUNT & SHOOT Project Rifle – 7mm Rem Mag. Part 1
- H & S Project rifle part 2 – Fitting the Picatinny rail
- H & S Project Rifle part 3 – Fitting the scope.
Category: Articles, Norman Nelson's Column
Looks like my Howa 1500 308 I won in the australiasian shooter mag, Ive been trying to get a load for it to work too and still havent. anyone know a load that works let me know. Good luck with your rifle what do you want to hunt with it mate?
Max,
The rifle is a Remington 700 SPS in 7mm Remington Magnum. A good all round rifle that can be used on all Australian game from Pigs to Sambar deer.
I just need to work on its accuracy a bit.
If your rifle has a plastic stock I would recomend that you replace it if it won’t shoot less than 2 MOA.