The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Did some shooting today at a local famers quarry. 100yd range. Perfect day for it.

Idea was to try and narrow down the best COAL for my 6.5x55 Swede Tooley. I had loaded 3 different batches all of the same powder load just different distances to lands:

5 thou
7.5 Thou
10 Thou

I'd already done some tests to narrow it down to between 10 and 5 thou, also done some tests on the powder load as well, though more will come.

Once zeroed to the range and a couple of fouling shots, I did 10 rounds of each batch. Here are the results:

5 Thou


7.5 Thou


10 Thou


As can be seen from the results, it's a fairly straight forward choice!!

Also did a MV check with my chrono on all these shots so will be analysing them too.

And here's a pic of the range. Apparently you're allowed to shoot anything up to .50 cal!!

You can just about see my chrono just as the bank starts to drop. Was paranoid about shooting it!

He's actually got a proper range facility but he was away and his wife didn't know where the key was!

Looks like load dev is all bit over for you then Toby! That is a great looking range and with the weather to suit as well.

Nice looking set-up the land owner has there.

That's the kind of arrangement that's ideal for load development work.

With a nice looking group to boot!

Yeah its perfect for me (or would be if I could get in the range building!!) as its only 20 min away. I've met the farmer through work and just happend to mention it and he said I can go down there when I want, just let him know. Perfect.

Yes the difference in group was quite a suprise, but makes the decision very easy! Will try out some different loads to see if I can get it better.

p.s. that and a new scope! Barska one really isn't up to the job.