F-Open.. Anyone run more than one load?

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 9:04 pm

I was just wondering if anyone runs more than one load in the same rifle.

i.e. When shooting short range they use one bullet and then another bullet for the long ranges?

Any issues with doing this?

Post by **AlanF** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:07 pm

Norm,

This is quite commonly done in F-Open because of the variety of legal projectiles. I know many F-Std shooters use different powder charges, usually stiffer loads for the longs. There are 2 issues that I can think of (1) keeping track of your scope elevation settings (2) I've been warned against mixing powders without cleaning the barrel in between.

Alan

ned kelly · Post by **ned kelly** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:13 pm

G'day all,
Ideally, probably better to have two rifles set up, one for say 300-800 and one for 600-1200 in order to optimise ballistic performance from 2 different cartridges i.e. 6mm BR and 284, failing that a 6 or 6.5 x 47 lapua for all...........
Cheerio Ned

FWIW, I run one load, it's easier on my feeble mind!

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:53 am

Norm, In my FO rifle (7mm) I run 162gr bullets for the shorts out to 600m and 180gr bullets out from 700m-1000y.

I run the 162gr bullets with 1.0gr more powder than the 180s and the elevation for both is close enough to the same to only need one range chart.

One gun with two loads works and works well when you take the trouble to fine tune it.

IanP

Woody_rod · Post by **Woody_rod** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:14 am

In my 260 INCH, I use the same charge of 2209, and the same jump for both the 123 and 139 grain Scenars. Depends on the weather, but the 123 grainer shoots a smaller group, with the 139 grainer giving only 1 MOA benefit in elevation at 1000y. I also have a 6BR barrel for this rifle, but the 260 outshoots it at any distance.

RDavies · Post by **RDavies** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:23 pm

With my old 284 barrel, I did have 2 loads (found by trial and error). My long range load was .2gns LIGHTER than my short/mid range load.
Something in the node/vibration/regulation side of things gave more verticle at mid ranges with the light load and vica verca with the heavy load. The load which gave me very good verticle at 1200-1500yds gave verticle groups at 300yds. :?:

If I had to use one rifle for both ranges, now that there are some good 162gn bullets out there, I would definitely try the lighter pills at short/mid ranges.