reloading for Browning Predator Hunter

[FoxFlopper]

Did some preliminary tuner testing today.
Couldn't shoot at usual spot, prone, so tried another angle from car roof, then bonnet, with bags.

Just wanted to see if poi moved.
And 40gn Sierra had same poi as 39gn TNT. Both going similar speeds I think...

Poi moved, to the right just over inch to right at 100yards approx. Groups opened up
Started at zero setting ...rubbish, skipped to 2, then 3, seemingly better, ...finished on 4. 2 shots of 39gn TNT, almost touching...then...to push the parcel , launched a 40gn Berger..making a respectable 3 shot group.

Bit of wind about .
Hope to finer tune the tuner at later date, prone, less wind etc
Maybe take it off, shoot naked barrel, then, reapply tuner...
...
And save ammo and barrel too..

[FoxFlopper]

Here's the tuner, secured by the muzzle brake.

[Tom Kat]

# 4 looked pretty good. What did you do to your brass necks? Anything special?

[Bill K]

Do some more work with #4 load, maybe seating depth of bullet and see if you can't get them to tighten up. Here is my 204 R's grouping with CFE223 and 32 grain lead free Nosler's. And the Z-max bullet. Works great on target and varmint.

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[Rick in Oregon]

Now you're getting close!

Do some seating depth work on Load #4, and you should be almost set on your Pet Load for that rifle. Keep everything consistent, change only ONE aspect at a time. Considering you're dealing with a factory rifle, that groups says you're almost at the peak level that equipment and loading methods will deliver. Good job!

[FoxFlopper]

Haven't even out to finer tune the tuner yet.
(Been 222 foxing and bit windy n hot)
I bought a 10 round magazine (grizzly) for the 204 xbolt predator.

This helped me revisit an occasional problem of not being able to remove a loaded magazine.

The original magazine was hard to remove at times.
I lightly sanded some seam lines and that seemed to fix it. Seemed.

The new mag fitted and removed flawlessly.
Untill loaded.
I eventually discovered that with both the origin browning and the grizzly, that, wait for it...even thought the reloads fitted in the mag fine, they were catching at the very tip on the magazine well ramp..that assists guiding round into chamber.
Inserting the loaded magazine was not a problem, as the tip could swing down further into mag. But taking out a loaded mag, the bullet tip would actually catch.

This was a problem with my 39gn TNT loads.
They are now seated at 2.022, rather than 2.044.

The Berger rounds tested fine in terms of this mag problem.

So...I'll resume testing at 4 position on the tuner, with the 39gn TNT...and hope for best...and then tune.
Or..worst case...more seating depth testing.

The joys of pursuing accuracy....

[FoxFlopper]

Hit the range. Was cool when I left, hot as I arrived.
Shot two groups with bullets seated deeper so as to function in rifle, as mentioned above.

Tuner set at 4, and, 6.
Not great groups. But stopped shooting.
Haze rising off the ground making target shimmer at 97 yards etc.
Was using a glass scope, which is now removed.
Atn 4kpro now...and for future testing.
...
Both groups over inch I think...but...didn't feel steady or could aim clearly ..so stopped..

[FoxFlopper]

Here's the target with unhelpful results due to no confidence in the shots..