Thread: Accuracy problem, 243, 105 gr Berber VLD hunting

Thanks guys. I'm probably at a 0.040 jump now as I'm limited by my magazine length. Don't want to hand feed.

Do you think that playing around with the OAL will sort a problem when we are talking 2-3" at 100mtrs vs 0.5" for other rounds.
Zane

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Thanks guys. I'm probably at a 0.040 jump now as I'm limited by my magazine length. Don't want to hand feed.

Do you think that playing around with the OAL will sort a problem when we are talking 2-3" at 100mtrs vs 0.5" for other rounds.
Zane

No.

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Thanks guys. I'm probably at a 0.040 jump now as I'm limited by my magazine length. Don't want to hand feed.

Do you think that playing around with the OAL will sort a problem when we are talking 2-3" at 100mtrs vs 0.5" for other rounds.
Zane

Hi keep trying different seating depths this is copied from Bergers website, I had the same problem with the 87gr vld in my 9" twist 243 and doing this test sorted it out-interestingly seating them deeper solved my problem and you don't need to load that many rounds 3 rounds at each length will show you whats up.

The following has been verified by numerous shooters in many rifles using bullets of different calibers and weights. It is consistent for all VLD bullets. What has been discovered is that VLD bullets shoot best when loaded to a COAL that puts the bullet in a “sweet spot”. This sweet spot is a band .030 to .040 wide and is located anywhere between jamming the bullets into the lands and .150 jump off the lands.
Note: When discussing jam and jump I am referring to the distance from the area of the bearing surface that engages the rifling and the rifling itself. There are many products that allow you to measure these critical dimensions. Some are better than others. I won’t be going into the methods of measuring jam and jump. If you are not familiar with this aspect of reloading it is critically important that you understand this concept before you attempt this test.
Many reloaders feel (and I tend to agree) that meaningful COAL adjustments are .002 to .005. Every once in a while I might adjust the COAL by .010 but this seems like I am moving the bullet the length of a football field. The only way a shooter will be able to benefit from this situation is to let go of this opinion that more than .010 change is too much (me included).
Trying to find the COAL that puts you in the sweet spot by moving .002 to .010 will take so long the barrel may be worn out by the time you sort it out if you don’t give up first. Since the sweet spot is .030 to .040 wide we recommend that you conduct the following test to find your rifles VLD sweet spot.
Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a target competition shooter who does not worry about jamming a bullet:

Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a hunter (pulling a bullet out of the case with your rifling while in the field can be a hunt ending event which must be avoided) or a competition shooter who worries about pulling a bullet during a match:
.010 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
.050 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
.090 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
.130 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds

Shoot 2 (separate) 3 shot groups in fair conditions to see how they group. The remarkable reality of this test is that one of these 4 COALs will outperform the other three by a considerable margin. Once you know which one of these 4 COAL shoots best then you can tweak the COAL +/- .002 or .005. Taking the time to set this test up will pay off when you find that your rifle is capable of shooting the VLD bullets very well (even at 100 yards).
Regards,
Eric Stecker
Master Bulletsmith

Thanks guys. My gut is saying I agree with Kiwijames.
If I was looking to get from say 1.5 Moa to sub 1/2moa then I would do the COAL field test. Given how bad things are I think I need another projectile if I want to stay with 105 gr.
The 105 gr Vld lets me have 1000 ft lb of energy at 500 mtr which is up their for a 243 win.
Not that I am shooting deer at that range.
Zane