Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles MRC 260 1-8, R17, Nosler 142gr. ABLR

I've played with QL a fair amount. I really wanted it to work... I found it is very unreliable at predicting even one rifle. For example, I could use known data and calibrate QL to where it very closely replicated measured data. But if I then change a bullet or powder, run the model and compare to actual results it was often way off. I could never get it reasonably match known data across a multiple bullet or powders with any reliability. I'd certainly never take its results and assume them to be valid. Kudos to those who have been able to make it work for them.

As for indications, velocity for that powder vs. published velocities for that powder is certainly a reasonable start. I still use primers as a sign, but maybe I'm wrong on that. At the end of the day, I just use published charge weights as a typical max.

I Am not bad mouthing Quickload. It is a very useful tool to include in your load development. I have seen where it can be very close to actual results. The more data you put in the better the projections are that come out. But you still need to use all the other tools the books point out in their Reloading "how to" chapters. I have an old Speer book. In it they say No loads in the book where pressure tested. They used standard load work up procedures for all the data. We have a lot more tools today.

Dave,

Actually, I did answer your question, but you missed it.

I have also never used a QL charge without working up. I tried some of the heavier predicted charge just to see what would happen.

If you believe QL is more accurate than pressure-tested data then by all means use it. But you'd probably be surprised at the actual pressure of some of your loads. A lot of people have been, when they've been tested by various means.

Sorry for letting you all hang. I have been out several times sense I posted last. I thought I was getting close to a good load and then things went squirrelly. It had been about 100 rounds sense I last cleaned it so I came home and found the rear action screw had backed out some. Instead of cleaning it I just bolted everything up farmer tight and headed out to a 300 yard range. First 4 were with 7x brass were split 2x2 with around 3.5" between the 2 pairs. I'm blaming the split group on not having enough bag under the back of the rifle. I fixed the rear bag problem and shot 2 more with 2x brass and they were poa/poi at 1.8". Fired 2 more with 1x brass that printed 2.1" but a couple inches lower.
I have been playing with the seating depth and the deeper I go the better it's shooting. So this morning I came home and loaded up a few at 2.83" oal. and headed out to my 425 yard range. I guessed 8 moa elevation and dialed .5 moa wind and fired 3 at the cardboard and #4 at a 7" plate that I had just hung up. I was pleased to see the plate swing until I seen that I almost blew my hanger off.
I was very pleased to see that the first 3 shot a nice 1.44" 3 shot group.

NICE! That looks great Les! That looks like a great shooter to me.

About how far off the lands are you with them now?

beretzs; I ended up being .07" off the lands. Pressure looks great. I loaded my original 10 pcs of brass today for the eighth time neck sized only. Primer pockets are still as tight as the 1x and case oal hasn't grown at all.
I have 85 rounds worth of powder. I'm going to load the rest and see what it will do at 750, confirm my drops and save the rest for hunting.

Next up I have 300 Nosler RDF 140's to play with.

Nice. I've got some 129 ABLRs I wanna try from my Swede.

If me I'd call things good at 2700-2750 and rest easy. Another 50-100 will not affect the outcome in the field. It would be interesting to know the actual pressure but I can guess it's up there.

Good shooter. Enjoy. Be safe.

Les, I also have found QL to have issues with powders that have the retardant mixed throughout the kernel as opposed to just coating it. Because of that and me working up loads with no book recipe, I got a pressure trace. That thing has been a huge help... until I got the Desert Tech. LOL There is no suitable place to glue the sensors to on the barrel due to the switch barrel design.

By chance, have you tried RL26 in your .260 yet? In my 26" bbl it gives really good accuracy and velocity at low pressures.

I loaded up a few 7-08 cartridges this past week with rl-26....

I'm hitting lands with a 150 eldx at about 3.08" coal and can only get about 46-47 grains in the case and I suspect I'm not near a max powder charge but may be wrong. Curious how much you guys can get in your .260 case...

I use 46.0 with the 142 ABLR seated to ~2.839ish (.070 off the lands)and if I remember right, I am not compressed.

Just for a look I put 48 grs in an empty .260 case. Still room left. I have loaded and shot 46.5 grs behind a 147 gr ELD-M and still not compressed. Accuracy has been excellent, need to chrony them. My OAL was 2.95" and there is still a lot of bullet in the case.

This and targeting reasonable pressures are the keys. Conversely, I've seen people run into obvious pressure problems with pressure tested load data that resulted in velocities far exceeding predicted velocities due to combinations of short throats, tight chambers and thick brass. For some reason many people feel ok with dumping more powder into a load until they hit predicted velocity, but feel like significantly exceeding predicted velocity with load data is a free, safe gift from the god's of physics.

David

Have you chronied this load?

I have not, however... QL predicted 2830. At 550 they hit ~8" low according to KACs Bullet Flight for that velocity. Atmo was entered by hand with data from my Kestrel, so maybe 2700ish?

Sorry, I am not near the house to chrono these. November would be the soonest I could do it due to an overseas job.

Well thank you anyways, Good Luck and be safe over seas.....