TOP LOADS

[John T]

A great spin-off from using HEXTA ET's is that you can look at shooters' groups. I set myself to examine the vertical strings of the Top Ten at the recent NRAA Queen's at the 6 long ranges, 800, 900, 900, 1000, 900, 1000.

These are the average verticals, in MOA.
1, Matt Paroz. 0.508 (.274 to .705)
2. Mark Azzopardi. 0.575 (.359 to .870)
3. Lowell Tillack. 0.639 (.410 to .817)
4. Brett Bunyan. 0.681 (.343 to .917)
5. David Pearsall. 0.694 (.525 to .881)
6. Steve Rigby. 0.811 (.405 to 1.134)
7. Peter Carter. 0.816 (.570 to .949)
8. Albert van Wyk. 0.865 (.400 to 1.132)
9, Craig McGowan. 0.871 (.599 to 1.239)
10, Ernie Mace. 0.885 (.429 to 1.302)

Top 3 at 800 (1)
Steve 0.405
Lowell 0.410
Ernie 0.429

Top 3 averages at 900 (3)
Matt 0.425
Mark 0.543
David 0.618

Top 3 averages at 1000 (2)
Mark 0.475
Brett 0.494
Matt 0.581

I hear you - "more pointless statistics from Tracey."

But, don't many of us asses loads by the verticals they produce?

We have the verticals of the Top Ten at Australia's pre-eminent Championship. They must be of some significance. (I have been told of a "boycott" by some precious protesters against the delay time. They are the losers.)

May we ask each of the Top Ten to give us their loads. No spoon-feeding, just the basics. It will save a lot of shooters a lot of time and a lot of frustration.

These details would give a good start.
Cartridge
Bullet
Seat (jump or jam)
Primer
Powder
Load
Tuner (yes or no)
Some of you may have different loads for different ranges (lighter for 800). 1000 loads would be best.

Matt, Mark, Lowell, Brett, David, Steve, Peter, Albert, Craig and Ernie, we will very much appreciate your contributions, even though you know that shooters rarely take good advice.

Should any others be inclined to offer their wisdom, welcome.

On a personal note, the NRAA must be congratulated for instituting the perfect Day 2; 800, 900. 900.1000. Did Craig and Albert have an influence?

Regards,
John T.
26.6.19

[GSells]

Day 2 program was a winner for me I thought that was a great idea ! I enjoyed the whole comp very much ! For me at times conditions were challenging ( sometimes in the vertical) . On a whole comp was a great success! Et’s Works well ! Sorry wasn’t in the top ten so no loads lol!

[Gyro]

Good call John T and good luck.

Just knowing some ES/SD numbers would help me ?

[ajvanwyk]

John,

Happy to share some of the information to assist.

Cartridge - 7mm RSAUM - Norma ex300
Bullet: Sierra 183gn
Seat: Jump 10 thou
Primer: Federal 210M
Powder: ADI 2209
Load: 53.5gn (2885 fps ave)
Tuner (yes or no): Yes

SD: 3.4
ES:12

Interesting to note that all the loads were shot with fresh brass, never fired before with 1thou clearance to the chamber. I like to do the first fire before turning the necks to the final dimensions. I mention this because "fire forming" is often used as an excuse for a lack of accuracy however in this instance, and with my equipment, it does not seem to have played a significant role.

Also, the barrel had done 900+ rounds prior to the events and I believe it's still holding up well. I think it has been a function on running a slow load and not chasing the limits of speed potential.

[BRETT B]

Cartridge - 7mm SAUM IMP
Bullet: BERGER 184
Seat: Jump 20 thou
Primer: Federal 210M
Powder: ADI 2209
Load: 55.2 (2910 AVG) ES. 18
Tuner (yes or no): Yes

Lots of Vert on the range from wind angle at Belmont last week , had to chase the vert during your string sometimes just to hold 6 ring..

[williada]

Great summary of the verticals John. Certainly illustrates the point that managing larger groups at long range is the key for most. Expectations that rifles should hold "x" is at the margins. Also implies the "x" count has a random factor given the boundaries of the average vertical. Healthy dose of realism when light, wind vectors, and barrel lift profile etc have more influence over the longs than short range testing. Remember Warren Page writing some years ago about the quarter minute rifle in benchrest. Looking at the top guys the standard is closer to the .5 MOA rifle for the longs in FClass and a lot of skill in reading the conditions. Agree with you that the delay in target activation will only force people to learn to read conditions with the long term benefit of better scores.

[Matt P]

I'm reluctant to post load details as what works in one gun won't always work in the next, but you asked so here you go.
7mm SAUM formed from 300 cases neck turned and annealed every firing.
55.95 grains of 2209
Sorted 180 VLD Bergers jammed
CCI BR2's
2930 FPS 10ES and 3.2SD for 15 shots.
Tuner
FWIW, the results at the top of the field come from the complete package (rifle, scope, rests, scope etc) the load data is of little use as every barrel is different and the best ammo won't work in a platform that's compromised in any way.
As for the delay, I doubt even those that shot quick would have held in the same place twice and got a good results. What HEXTA doesn't show is some of the shooters waiting up to 5 minutes to fire their first sighter, waiting for a condition they're comfortable with and then starting their stage. Much like a shooter that will stop for several minutes mid string and wait for their condition to come back.
Matt P

[AlanF]

F-Open is becoming increasingly dependent on equipment accuracy and for those at the sharp end to give away valuable information says a lot about the generosity of spirit in our sport. Good to see .

[Toddy]

F-Open is becoming increasingly dependent on equipment accuracy and for those at the sharp end to give away valuable information says a lot about the generosity of spirit in our sport. Good to see .

Absolutely 100%. Fantastic to see Australia's best sharing what works for them. Oz FClass is a great resource for all Aussies! Thanks muchly gents.

[RAVEN]

Gotta love those VLD's Matt
John T what was the average group size
I tend to base my loads on SD of group along with other indicators of course
RB