2nd Range Session w/ Optima Elite

marshall9779 · 11-03-2008, 01:21 PM

Well, I am not too happy after this 2nd session. I was shooting the same load that I liked from the first time. 90gr Shockeys and 200gr SW's. The last time I shot a 1 1/4" 3 shot group @ 100yds. This time all I only got about a 3" group. I followed the same routine, spit patch and dry patch after every shot. I haven't been happy with how hard the SW's load in my Elite, so I picked up some 250gr SST HS/LD. The definitely loaded easier, but still snug. I think I ended up with about a 3.5" group with those. I did notice that I was getting a little bit of a crud ring with the Shockeys this time out. The spit patch was taking care of it, but I don't remember having that last time. I can't wait to use the rest of the Shockeys up and try some BH209.

Semisane · 11-03-2008, 01:24 PM

Some days you get the group - some days the group eludes you. That's shooting for `ya.

oldsmellhound · 11-03-2008, 04:10 PM

I'd switch over to the BH209. Shockey's tends to not give the best accuracy- American Rifleman did a test awhile back and Shockey's was at the bottom of the pile when it came to consistency and accuracy.

cayugad · 11-03-2008, 04:29 PM

I will not tell you what powder to shoot, but if you are going to have to swab between shots.. what's the advantage of Shockey's Gold? I would shoot Pyrodex RS or Triple Se7en powder.

Start with 100 grains of powder and see what happens.

oldrookie · 11-03-2008, 07:09 PM

You might want to try crushed rib sabots from harvester. My optima likes those better than the mmp.

FG · 11-03-2008, 07:14 PM

Let your barrel cool down for a few minutes between shots. I shoot my optima and then reload right away, set it to the side for a few minutes and shoot again and repeat. The few minute cool down has helped a lot with tighter groups!

lemoyne · 11-03-2008, 07:34 PM

All APP powders are inconsistent unless you take special measures to keep them dehydrated.
I suggest that you try BH209 if you can get some it is consistent under all the conditions I have used it under, if it is not available to you the try Pyrodex it is still the standard by which we judge some like 777 if you don't end up with a crud ring that you have to scrub out every shot it is a good powder. Lee