Report from the Range - BPI Beartooth
 

Well - a number of you have really helped me find bullets/sabots that I can load in my CVA/BPI Beartooth, so here's the results of my afternoon at the range Saturday.
I started with ballets at the 25 yd range. They pretty much grouped in a jagged hole with 1 - 50 gr Pyro pellet. Then I fired a 3-shot group of .451x260 gr Speer JHP'sin Crush Ribs and 2 pellets, getting a group that was a little over 1" c-c. I then adjusted the scope for a 1" high group at that distance. I tried some 270 gr Sabertooths, but couldn't get them to group well at all (at 25 yds) - kind of surprised me - they must fit too loosely to stabilize well. THAT surprised me too - that ANYTHING would ever be too LOOSE in my barrel!
Moving over to the 100 yd range (nothing in-between), the 260 Speers were landing 4" high, but in line with the bullseye. I then changed the scope to print approx. 1" high at 100 yds.
I also fired some .451x230 gr XTP's and .452x250 gr XTP's in both Crush Ribs and HPH-24 sabots. They all grouped well, with slightly different POI.
The .452's loadednoticably harder, so I probably won't use them again.

My groups at 100 yds were nothing to brag about, but I had a 10-15 mph gusty crosswind from a 45 degree angle - not a good recipe for tight groups.
One thing I really noticed - my groups are real good up & down, but tend to spread side to side. I'm pretty sure some of that is me, but how much of that can I expect from a crosswind like I had?
I have just about used up my box of Pyro pellets, so I just bought a pound of 777 in ffg. As soon as I receive my Barnes bullets (T MZ's still on backorder), I'll go out again, this time starting with 80 gr 777 and see if I can get some better groups.
Thanks to all for your help - I think I'm on the road to finding some real decent loads for my gun.

IM jaybe :)

RE: Report from the Range - BPI Beartooth
 

a cross wind at 100 yards, especially with strong gusts can move you a lot further side to side then you think. It sounds like you have some good groups worked up, and they will only get better... nice shooting

RE: Report from the Range - BPI Beartooth
 

Jaybe, according to my calculater a 15 mile an hour wind would move that bullet 5.1 inchs sideways at 100yds with a 1600 fps muzzle velocity,so your groups were proably better than you though. Some of those new bonded gold dot Speers look interesting. Lee

RE: Report from the Range - BPI Beartooth
 

Well thanks, guys - I was kind of afraid to even mention the size of the groups - but a number of them had a 5-8" horizontal spread, and I figured a good part of that was me. Now I can't wait to go back on a calm day!

IM jaybe :)

RE: Report from the Range - BPI Beartooth
 

Jaybe: Glad to hear you got something working in
your ML. Sounds like the crosswind wasn't helping
much! Really good to hear you found something
that you can load without using a 16lb. sledge
hammer [:@] Keep me posted on results.
Danny

RE: Report from the Range - BPI Beartooth
 

The wind speed was fluctuating on you. In a fairly steady wind, you will find your POI moved, but more precision (tighter grouping). At 50yards, I shot 1.75 spread groups with POI 4.5"-5.0" distant from POA. Wind was pretty steady though, around 25 mph.

It's great to see you are getting good results from your new Beartooth. Looking forward to seeing a photo of the deer you take with it this coming season. :D

Happy Hunting, Phil