Does higher speed deliver greater precision?

When I look at this load, two things jump out at me. Firstly, the cartridge is fabricated...
17545

I recently received a phone call from Reinhard Lang, a universally recognised top shooter and winner of the 2015 F-class Open European championship in Bisley (UK).

We had quite an interesting conversation. He described a .308 Win application with R52 over 300m and how extremely impressed he was by the precision it achieved. The seven-shot group had a vertical spread of 22mm without adjusting the sights. The horizontal spread was even less. A little later, the shooter sent me the load data:

Barrel: Krieger with 11 twist, 650mm long
Bullet: Berger Target Hybrid 168gr
Primer: Federal Champion
Powder: RS52, 43.8gr
COL: 73mm
Velocity: 822m/s (measured)

When I look at this load, two things jump out at me. Firstly, the cartridge is fabricated slightly longer than the CIP length (73mm, as opposed to CIP 71.12mm). We have ruminated on the importance of the cartridge length in other columns. The second thing that jumps out at me is the moderate, balanced load of 43.8 grains RS52. We could easily increase this by another 2 grains without running any major safety risks. Which brings me to my point: Is an extended bullet path the same thing as greater precision? My impression: Sometimes it is, but a lot of times it isn’t. As we see it, the entire system of weapon, ammunition and propulsion is always involved. We presume that the propulsion, consisting of the primer and propellant powder, accounts for about one third. We often see formulations that deliver extremely precise results with moderate loads; occasionally, we also see extremely powerful cartridges that still deliver unsatisfactory precision. This column is also intended to highlight the benefits of single-base powders (RS12, RS20, RS30, RS36, RS50, RS62), which can deliver excellent precision in spite of having a bit less power..

I’d like to round out this column with a thought on the popular 6.5 Creedmoor calibre. In this calibre, RS60 delivers an extended path, top performance and superior precision. But RS62 is also very popular and has produced some very good-looking shot groups. And an extended bullet path with a high initial velocity can have a positive effect, but this does not always have to be the case. Sometimes in our vocation, less is more.

I hope my observations can help you to make your ammunition even more precise. I wish you great satisfaction experimenting and shooting.

With best regards from Wimmis,

Dominik Antenen

More Articles / News

Footer logo

6 days ago

David Lloyd F Class Ambassador. A great weekend at Bisley for the 4th F Class league shoot of the year. I’ve just had a new rifle in .300 WSM and as ever did my load development with RS62. It really does produce excellent results in a .300 WSM with 215 Berger Hybrids. I first used RS62 a few years ago and I came runner up in the British Championships using the powder. I’ve stuck with it ever since. The new rifle is a tack driver I shot a 74.10V in the first match at 800 yards which took me the bronze medal. The following morning in the first 1000 yard match I shot a clean with a 75.9V I was the only shooter not to drop a point and I took the gold medal. In the second 1000 yard match I only dropped one point so I was only 1 point down for the day and this was good enough to secure the gold medal in daily aggregate. RS62 produced such consistent results and held awesome elevation at 1000 yards it was hugely confidence building. Looking forward to the Europeans in the knowledge I have a highly competitive set up. I’m sure RS62 will help me towards the “Perfect Hit”David Lloyd. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 week ago

www.facebook.com/share/p/1BswcUCJKS/?mibextid=wwXIfrReload Swiss F Class ambassador gets in the medals at the GB F class league shoot at Bisley. RS62 hit the spot again. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

2 weeks ago

Good luck to all the Reload Swiss Powder users in the forth coming Great Britain F Class Association league shoot held at Bisley next weekend. I’m sure RS powders will help you bring home the medals. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 weeks ago

A great group shot by Josh Martin with his 6mm Dasher using RS52 and Hornady 110 A tips at 700m. This is just a head of Josh leaving for the PRS European Championships in Italy tomorrow. With a gun shooting that well we all wish him well. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 weeks ago

Well done to Bob Oxford our TR Ambassador at the Scottish Target Rifle Championships held at Blair Atholl this weekend. A superb performance for Bob using RS52 powder in his .308 using 155 bullets. Keep up the great work and good luck in the upcoming Imperial meet at Bisley. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

3 weeks ago

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!Laurie Holland, Bernie Edwards, Lyndon Lewington ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

4 weeks ago

Just to let everybody know we are getting 4 deliveries of powder a year. All our products are in stock and are available. So no worries of finding your new favourite powder and then not being able to get more!Happy reloading. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 month ago

Reload Swiss would like to congratulate Charles Cooper and his spotter Brad coming second in the European King of 2 milesFantastic result using RS80 ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 month ago

Great we’ve finally got a Face book presence. A perfect way to update everyone with any news and products. Great powders with a medal winning track performance. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 month ago

Propellants welcome you to the new ReloadSwiss Facebook page. You can find us at www.propellants.co.uk/ ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 month ago

ReloadSwiss's cover photo ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 month ago

ReloadSwiss ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

Thank you

We will be in touch soon