ligonierbill
New member
Finally got to the range to chrono the loads I put together last April. First, it reminded me of my reason for getting this rifle (M70 Classic Featherweight). Plenty of range and power for eastern hunting and my shoulder is the same color it was this morning after 60 rounds. Results: I loaded Nosler Ballistic Tip 120s over H4350 and Re19 and Nosler Accubond 130s over Re19. The
H4350 definitely performed better with the 120s. At a max load of 47 grains, it yielded an average 2,937 with an ES of 12.8 and STD of 5.1. I wasn't specifically shooting for group, but I did chew a 1' hole in the target, with some spread around that point. The Re19 loads were 100 fps slower with more variation. The 130s showed more velocity variation, but they seemed to group a little better. Max load yielded 2,804 fps, but ES was 42.4, STD 15.7. At 2 grains less, I got 2,714 fps, 23.3 ES, 9.6 STD. This being a hunting load, I guess I will load more of the 2,700 and 2,800 130s and see how they group at 200. While many load 140s over Re22 (including me) the loads I fired today carry more energy downrange. Accubond 130 is my new hunter. Sales pitch on 6.5 mm bore...the max loads are still at over 1,000 ft lb at 500 yards. Plenty of punch, and you can shoot it all day. I would like to hear about anyone's field experience with these bullets.
H4350 definitely performed better with the 120s. At a max load of 47 grains, it yielded an average 2,937 with an ES of 12.8 and STD of 5.1. I wasn't specifically shooting for group, but I did chew a 1' hole in the target, with some spread around that point. The Re19 loads were 100 fps slower with more variation. The 130s showed more velocity variation, but they seemed to group a little better. Max load yielded 2,804 fps, but ES was 42.4, STD 15.7. At 2 grains less, I got 2,714 fps, 23.3 ES, 9.6 STD. This being a hunting load, I guess I will load more of the 2,700 and 2,800 130s and see how they group at 200. While many load 140s over Re22 (including me) the loads I fired today carry more energy downrange. Accubond 130 is my new hunter. Sales pitch on 6.5 mm bore...the max loads are still at over 1,000 ft lb at 500 yards. Plenty of punch, and you can shoot it all day. I would like to hear about anyone's field experience with these bullets.