6,5 x 55 never fails to impress...

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Post Covid has proven to be a challenge regarding availability of reloading components.

Fortunately, I bought 5 lbs of Dominion D4350 and D4895 when they were available (should have bought 25 lbs of each). I had about 800 large rifle primers (have since found a bunch more), but could not find any bullets.

I have always been a Sierra guy, but bought what I could get at the time which was 100 Hornady V-Max 95 gr and 200 120 gr PPU HPBT. Neither shot well out of my Zastava M70, but good enough for ground hogs at 100 yards or so.

I was finally able to get some Sierra 120 gr. HPBT Match Kings, and had great results; sub MOA at 100 yards.

I also got a 1900 M96 is almost new condition which shot them well, but about 10" high. I picked up some 158 gr. PPU JSP for it and it shot those very well; three inch groups at 100 yards with original iron sights and 64 year old eyes.

Here is where it gets interesting...

The loads with the Sierra 120 gr HPBT are sighted in to shoot 1" high at 100 yards in the Zastava. When I fire the 158 gr. loads from the Zastava, it shoots to exactly the same point of aim at 100 yards; an inch high (the group is larger though).

I just got some 85 gr. Sierra JHP varmint bullets and loaded them at the max (about 3500 fps according to Sierra's data), and it also shoots to the same point of aim. Groups are <2"

I can shoot gopher ammo or moose ammo without having to sight in.

I don't know of any other caliber that behaves this way.

 

[Unqualified]

I like your eye candy. Funny how that gun shoots that way.

 

[jacks]

Maybe there is a giant magnet behind your target that's 1 inch above the bullseye?
Seriously it does seem strange, I wonder what the difference would be at 200 yards.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Maybe there is a giant magnet behind your target that's 1 inch above the bullseye?
Seriously it does seem strange, I wonder what the difference would be at 200 yards.

No doubt there will be more noticeable differences at 200 and 300 yards. Based on the chart below, with a 100 yard zero it looks like point of impact for light and heavy bullets remain fairly constant out to 200 yards. I sight for 1" high at 100 yards with my varmint loads expecting them to be either right on at 200 or still at tad above zero. According to this chart, it appears that the heavy bullets will be about 1 1/2" lower than than the light ones at 300.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Update...
I tried the 85 gr along with the 158 gr in the shorter barreled M38. The heavy bullets shot about 3 inches high, the light bullets about 8" high.

Just guessing, but I think maybe not all the powder was being used in the shorter barrel, and the the heavier bullets may have been a fair bit slower out of the short rifle? Anyway, I intend to only shoot paper with this one, and now i know what it likes. Heavy bullets with a 6:00 hold.