Observation Point

Folks who handload their own ammunition tend to obsess about some things. We handload for a number of reasons, but my particular reason is that I can tailor my ammo to my individual rifles. I like experimentation, within safe limits, and taking the time to tailor a load to a particular rifle can be very frustrating. It can also be very satisfying when the work pays off and the load falls into your lap.

When you handload, you learn that changing one thing changes the whole load. Tiny changes make a difference.

Regular readers might recall my post from Thursday, where I talked about trying to find a load for my re-built Savage 11. I decided to start at 49.6 grains of IMR 4895 and go up in 2/10ths increments to 50.4 grains, hoping to find a load that would shoot into MOA.

So, with five rounds of each load, I posted targets at 100 yards and snuggled into the bench. Three shots later I looked in the spotting scope, and saw this.



I was considerable pleased. I let the rifle cool and waited for everyone else on the line to finish firing. As soon as I was able I changed targets and loaded the next set of cartridges. Three shots later I looked in the spotting scope again.



Those are two-ich target dots. Both targets are nice, well within my criteria for a hunting rifle. I'd be pleased with either one. But, this shows the difference that two-tenths of a grain of powder makes. Those six cartidges were exactly alike, except for the powder weight. It makes a big difference.