I tried a few Barnes 168 LRX bullets today with the Ascent okay results. The wind was blowing about 8 mph so it wasn't perfect conditions. The 3-shot groups are shown below:

1.4" LRX 168 57.0gr h4831
1.6" LRX 168 57.0gr h4831
1.1" LRX 168 58.0gr h4831

These were pretty hot. I didn't shoot the 59 grain group I had loaded. The primers were pretty flat at 58 grains. This is a small sample size. I will try them again later with lighter loads.

While there I shot some 168 grain Berger VLD Hunting bullets. Previously 57 grains of H4831 seemed to be sweet spot and that was the case today. The 3-shot 100yd groups are shown below:

1.2" Berg 168 56gr h4831
1.1" Berg 168 56gr h4831
1.1" Berg 168 56.5gr h4831
0.9" Berg 168 56.5gr h4831
0.6" Berg 168 57 gr h4831
0.9" Berg 168 57 gr h4831
2.3" Berg 168 57.7gr h4831

The photos are below:

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


The groups opened up at 57.7grains this time and previously. I am pretty pleased with these groups. I think I am reaching a point of diminishing returns.

I also noticed that the groups tended to open up if I didn't "hold" the rifle. It seemed that if I let it recoil freely, the shots moved or opened up on some of the hotter loads.