My new load combination??

[yeoman]

After a week off, I returned to the range today, intending to increase the horsepower under the loads I've been shooting. Since putting the GM barrel on the Cabela's Hawken this Spring, I've shot only 90 grains of RS and 240 XTP's or 200/10mm's. I started today by using 100 grs. of Select (all they had left locally) with the 240 XTP's and used up the last 6 Crushed Ribs at 50yds. I was pleased with the 1.75" group.

Hawken
50 yds.
open sights
100 Select
240XTP/CR sabot

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Pulled out the 10mm/200's and put 100 grs. under them at the 100 yd. target. Still happy with a 3 5/8" group with four of them 1 7/8".

Hawken
100yds.
open sights
100 Select
10mm/200's

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Took the same combo out to the 200 for kicks. Pretty windy, but after finding paper on the second shot (far upper right), kept the rest on paper and moved them down and landed 3 on the target face. The 5 shots on paper were 10". The three on target suggest it may be possible to produce a much better result. Very fun.

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.....and then it happened...

I put up a new sheet at 50 yds., and pulled out the off the shelf 300XTP's with the long petal sabots, loaded 90 grs. of Select and produced the best 4 shot group this gun has ever managed. Shot #5 turned it into a rather normal 1.75", but I'm sure looking forward to trying this combo again.

50 yds.
open sights
300 XTP
90 Select

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[cayugad]

That is some good shooting. Have you ever tried the 200 grain 10mm XTP's with the blue MMP sabots. They shoot well out of my Green Mountain Barrel with the 1"28 twist. I am going to use that on deer this year I think.

[yeoman]

Cayugad - those are what I used at 100 and 200yds above. I'll probably try one on a deer this year. I'm a little concerned since Hornady recommends a relatively slow speed for optimal performance with them. If I can take the accuracy of the 300XTP's to 100yds., I'll make that or a similar 300 gr. HP my "go to" hunting round. I'm getting pretty excited about returning to open sights this season, although I did buy all of the stock of 270 Sabertooth the range had for $10 a pack since my scoped CVA Hawken likes them. I've seen the price of the Sabertooth climbing.