Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Finding hunting load

Upon finding the most accurate load (whichever that parameter is for you) and once a load is found using a certain rest - will that "sweet" load hold upon changing rests?

I realize POI may differ. But will the load differ much? Hunting loads developed using sand or bipod, vs backpack or sticks in the field.
Thinking about 7mm RM, heavish barrel.
Load developed with suppressor and bipod. Suppressor took strike, and will go back. I'm going to try the loads again, without suppressor and sandbags, then in "field conditions" and but was wondering how "off" it may be

Thanks

Doesn’t the suppressor hanging on the end of the tube change harmonics of the tube?

That would be heavy. I have a suppressor on a 16” barrel, it’s awkward

I try and do my load work up just like I am going to hunt. In other words, if I am going to hunt with a plain barrel (no muzzle device) that is how I work up my loads. I do not own a suppressor but if I did and planned on hunting with it, I would work up my loads with it on the barrel.
As far as changing POI changing rest, I have not seen this if the barrel is free floated and the new rest does not force or allow the stock and barrel to touch when the round is fired.

I'm curious what brand and type of suppressor and the mounting system.

If you are having bullet strikes, something is not square. Either poor threading job, or something else.

Suppressor is a 30cal SiCO Harvester (already got order for sending back to them)

Barrel is an aftermarket X-Caliber 1:9" twist. Not sure what caused it, but was clustering shots together and then one thrown off about 4ft right, and noticed what appeared to be damaged baffles. Same suppressor clustered 243win shots.


To comments on harmonics and suppressor, yes, I would expect changes, and when worked load with suppressor was when planning on hunting with it.
After strike, will rework loads. Barrel is stiff and POI didn't change much with/without, but didn't try for accuracy changes at 400yds and different rest.

If the gun is sighted in I figure its sighted in no matter what rest you use if you do your part...as far as suppressor on or off I couldn't say I've never owned one..

I hunt with a clean barrel and I want to know how the gun is going to shoot out of a clean barrel.

When I sight in a load at the range, the rifle has a bipod on it...

When hunting, I am still getting Minute of Game at a couple 100 yds or more... regardless of what temporary rest I might be using...
be it a tree to learn against, or over a log.. or over the hood of my truck...

Doing the same on water bottle sized sage rats, I'm pretty consistently hitting them out to 250 to 300 yds...

so I don't see a big difference, If that answers your question Doc.

This^^^^^ There have been some here claim they see a "1/2" difference" in poi shift at 100 yards, when switching from a sandbag to bi-pod in field positions. I find that laughable. For one thing, seeing a 1/2" difference in POI? Get real, and for another, you shouldn't be getting any poi shift if you are using a solid rest. Meaning the rifle should be capable of the same precision/accuracy, regardless of what rest you are using. It all boils down to having adequate freefloat and proper glass bedding: If you switch to a bi-pod (per se) and you see a shift in POI, that means the bi-pod is putting pressure on the barrel and your rifle obviously isn't adequately freefloated. Furthermore, when a rifle is not properly glass bedded, that action is skating around in that stock and causing issues. Its funny how many guys chose to not set up their rifles properly, and then blame it on the load or rest being the culprit for any inaccuracy or other issues they may have.

I bought a Bergara Wilderness this past summer that came with a muzzle brake. I shot a few rounds with it screwed on then started developing loads with it removed. Once I nailed down a good load I tested the same loads with the brake screwed back on. Not only did my POI change my ¾" 100 groups opened up to almost 1½". Your suppressor will only further exaggerate the shifts in POI / accuracy unless you build your loads with the suppressor installed. Your bipod / sandbags have minimal consequence on your loads so long as rest you choose is stable.

Any change that allows the rifle to recoil differently can easily cause a point of impact shift and most likely will.