Nothing wrong with this vid; it shows that load development is just that: development. Always have to get some bad before you find some good. I always like to see others doing load development. Everyone runs into all the dramas at some stage. Good honest video. Well done. Footnote: my old 30-06 loved those 165 grain SST’s and my 308 absolutely eats them.
I have left the range mystified many times by loads that went "wait - what?!" on me. Funny is watching your SD go to single digit numbers, with SD in the teens - and suddenly you have a big vertical string. I usually suspect neck tension in those cases ar the gun's beating up the round - changing OAL slightly. Still, if that was changing pressure you should see it in velocity...
This has really become the highlight of my sunday evenings. I'm a grad student and have statistics homework due at midnight every Sunday. I used to procrastinate, but now I make sure I get it done before Johnny drops his weekly vid so I can enjoy it guilt free. You're doing the lord's work, Johnny.
I honestly was thinking the same thing. The guy was being way too hard on himself. For hunting purposes, adjust it, left a couple of clicks, and be a little high at 100 yards for a .308, perfect. Now, if you were competing and looking for a super accurate load for 1000 yard shooting, yeah, you might want subzero groups at 100 yards. I thought all these groups were good enough for deer hunting. Definitely a successful video, thanks, don't beat yourself up so much OP
From a noobie, I appreciate a video of sub-standard results! Reminds me of two weekends ago... my daughter sitting around deer camp for her first time listening to stories of monster bucks and successful hunts, the next day we set the blind ALL DAY and see almost nothing. She got more and more disappointed as the day drug on. So I clued her into the fact that we always tell the stories of our great hunts... not of our days sitting in a stand and seeing nothing. That is part of it though.
Oh the joy of finding the proper jump for a particular copper bullet.. I seen some require .3" and some people even talk about .5"!! Most of the time it was "Crap these things are expensive!" now it's like "These might was well be the last 50 bullets on planet earth!" Thanks for the fresh content, can't wait to see what you bag this year! Hopefully you luck out like the last :)
Looking for information about SST, I came across this video. Even though the test is a disaster, I can relate to you because more than once I've come back from the shooting range foaming at the mouth, because everything has gone wrong. This is what testing is all about. I'm wary of a lot of videos where they always get it right the first time.
Accuracy is of function of velocity (based on the barrel and bullet chosen) and graphs as a Sin wave. OAL is fine tuning and not accuracy node location. Look at your velocities for the GMX and realize as it got slower, it got more accurate.
@@lalmuanpuiijahau7531 No 308 Win should be rifled with a 1:8 twist rate. It's too fast, and optimal is a 1:10 or 1:11 or 1:11.25. The only 308 diameter caliber that I know of that is routinely cut with a 1:8 twist is 300 Blackout. This is a completely different caliber regardless of the same bullet diameter.
@@seanmtactical6069 I have this question because, when Mr Larry Vickers, an ex Delta force in Vickers tactical RUclips channel. When he interviewed hk employee with Army new CSASS rifle in shotshow we can see that in that video he asked the employee about the twist rated of CSASS rifle he answered it is 1:8 twist rated, I don't understand in that time but when I'm looking back at it I'm very interesting it, have you got any idea?
@@seanmtactical6069 but in that video they didn't talk about 6.5cm and also in some articles, ive never heard about CSASS HK417 for 6.5 creedmoor, and the army didn't officially adopting 6.5cm, the socom had, I think what you've said is the Socom, and that shot show what I'm talking about is 2017 Shot show its two years early than what you've said, and nobody is talking about 1:8 twist rated barrel 308 that's why I'm asking you. Im just thinking about is the Army going to adopt heavy bullet like 200 grain high bc in long range for better stable in winddrift.
Thanks for the vid. Though things didn't go according to plan, you still got data. Successful data, too, because you have a jumping off point for the next tests.
Fun video to watch for an old timer that has been reloading since 1972. I always wanted to be amongst the “cool kids” so I’ll have to try your neck sizing method. 😊
Its always good to learn, and just because you got a less than desired result, its still learning. I think most of the reloading is not a desired result. :) But we learn from it. John, not sure if you were just in a hurry or something else on the mind, but you know as reloaders, the mind has to be clear or we make mistakes.
With all the problems you had with this video, I appreciate you putting it up anyway. I always learn something from you my friend. Looking forward to video this week.
I'm a few years behind. I agree, nothing wrong with this video. I am trying to get into reloading, so this is very informative. I found this video while looking into 300 HAMR. Wilson Combat uses Hornady 150gr SST 30 Cal .308 (Savage). This has a lower BC than the standard 150 gr SST 30 Cal .308. So, I am very curious as to why they use the "Savage variant". I bought a WC 300 HAMR Hunter couple years ago and have been using WC Factory Ammo. I think this is the cartridge, I want to work on. Side note Hornady has a new bullet (CX 150gr 30 Cal .308). Thanks for the lesson on load development.
I would like to see Hammer bullets tested at some point. If possible. They are an all copper bullet made by a smaller maker in Montana. They also say some of their bullets can be driven faster then conventional like their 6.5mm 129g absolute.
The best way to set an expander mandrel is to put a fired case in. Lower the die till it stops then back off a couple turns. This way you won’t crash and burn.
JRB you gotta get us back up to 45 minutes again at least. And dump some powder or something. Strictly business isn’t the same. And show me how to get the 22 cal TMK to run in a gas gun
I hope I'm wrong, but it seems to me like he's completely burned out on doing videos again. No enthusiasm. No humor. It's like he just wants to get over with 😢
My load for a friend's Savage .308 is 42.5gr of AR-Comp with a 150gr Barnes TTSX in Lake City 7.62 brass. It shoots 1" groups and does 2900fps out of his 18" barrel.
I guess I should tell ya what it is: 165gr Sierra SBT, 44.9gr N140, Sig brass, cci#200 2.750" OAL 2.150" to the ogive. RCBS neck sizing die/ seating die. Gun is a Ruger American Predator LH Also: 120gr Barnes TAC-TX BT, Starline Brass, 17.5gr H110, CCI#400, Hornady FL sizing and seating dies. 2.250" oal 16" 300 BLK Both have shot about .75" 5 shot groups @ 100yd Happy hunting JRB!
It Doesn't work. I've tried several times with every imaginable "trick".. play with it enough and eventually you'll just work harden the case head.. and then have case head separations. Trust me a primer popping out and jamming up your trigger is a lot better than a warm to hot loaded .308 or 30-06 case exploding next to your face. Either just accept it as scrap or stop hot rodding..
Been there, done that. Sometime', more than not, when putting a load together from scratch, for a new bullet or rifle, at the last minute for a hunt, you can only hope for the best. I'm probably about to do this very thing, this week, here in CO?! Always the BEST handloading content on youtube, Johnny!!!
You have a heck of a lot more money than I do. Look at all the toys and extra tools. A primer hole gauge? Just get a universal expanding die instead of a full set like you have. I guess if the money is there. What did folks do in the sixties and seventies without all these amenities? Great video. Love the detailed description of the shots. Thanks for taking the time to share
I took a head shot on a doe today with the 120gr Gold Dots out of my 20 inch 6.5 Grendel at about 40 yards and that's a nasty bullet... Also shot another doe yesterday at about 130ish yards still got a complete pass through and it was a bang flop shot so I'm really digging that bullet so far. Already shot a few hogs with really good results as well. I just wish they would come back in stock in something other then 50 round boxes with a 2 box minimum... Great video as always and good luck this season!!!
All of these loads are Respectable for wooded hunting. The GMX 1.08" and all of the SST are great for open field hunting , up to 400 yard. (Not recommended ethical distance) The other 2 GMX loads are comparable to factory off the shelf box of cartridges.. (cheap crap) I enjoy your video's. Nothing wrong with this video . Keep them coming.🦉
Always enjoy your channel, keep them coming I want to reload for at least 4 different calibers. Reloaded in the past on other people's equipment. One day on my own and went I do I will be revisiting many of your videos thanks again for your hard work
Yep, run smaller gaps between test groups. EC said that most nodes are about 0.006" wide in seating depth, and about 0.012"-0.015" wide between good to bad. I would recommend for the GMX, start with the 2.118" and do it over. Start at 2.121" and progress shorter by 0.003" to 2.106". This should cover nearly the entire node zone. Another item would be to reduce the load by 0.2gr. since it was a compressed load, and the lower velocities did not hurt.
For lead free, my 20” AR10 likes the Barnes 165gr TSX over 42.3gr H4895 seated at Mag length. In my experience, when I try to push the velocities to near max in the AR10, the groups fall apart (most of the time lol).
I set this GMXs to 2.79“ OAL above 45grs of CFE223 and Fed215 primers. Grouping is below 1“. Good for me. Larger OALs delivered worse groups. Cheers. In my expirience, the GMX165 delivered much better blood trails than TTSX 168, 150 and 130 did. Even with partial much lower impact velocities.
I had the same problem with .308 factory loads 165 gr. gmx. (>2”). SSTs were in the 1.25” range. However I was able to work up a hand load for the 165 Barnes TTSX that shoots < 0.75” groups.
I know you were t pleased with this video but I love the human element of this videos and how in some of your other videos you aren’t afraid to show your mistakes. Lord knows I make way more than you.
That 2.79" 165 grain SST load is money. .83" is nothing to sneeze at. My load for this year is 40.5 grains of AR-comp over a 155 grain BTHP. I prefer the 150 grain SST but I'm out.
Thanks for the interesing Video. Especially since the lead free bullets are required for hunting in many places. I like that you really showed the diference between two bullets with the same weight. However it is my understanding that the bullets surface touching the rifle barrel is detrimental for the accuracy out of the barrel with a specific twist rate. If the SST and the GMX are compared you can clearly see that the GMX bullet is much longer due to the different material of the bullet. Therefore the surface of the GMX touching the barrel is higher compared to the SST surface touching the barrel. I guess it would be more compareable if you dropped the bullet weight of the GMX down to 150 Grain. That sould even out the differences. it would be extremly interesting to see the results of that test. I really appreciate all the work you are doing and the good quality of your videos. Cheers from Germany
Johnny I always leave the cap off the mandrel and screw the die down and measure how much the mandrel protrudes to make sure I don’t bottom the case out. This process only takes 30 seconds and will keep that from happening.
One suggestion I have is that you chamfer the case mouths before you deburr them. Sometimes the chamfer tool can leave a slight raised sharp edge (burr) which the deburr tool will remove.
This isn't a crappy video, partner. I call this a result. That is what we are after when we're testing and experimenting after all. A result. Data for the D.O.P.E.
I see two ways you can go with this on the GMX bullet. One, is to try and use the 2.790" seating depth and go up in powder charge to try and get to 2750fps, or go with the 2.740" seating depth and back off the powder charge by about 0.3 grains. This should drop velocity to about 2650fps which is typically the next lower accuracy node for .308. FYI most factory match ammo is loaded to about 2650fps for a reason. Looking forward to the next video! As always, awesome work.
Hi Johnny. Nothing wrong with this video. We can still learn from the video. In this case from the mistake you made but reloading not always easy. Thank you.
From what I could find in my own research, copper bullets seem to need some jump. Barnes recommends starting load development at 0.070" jump and increasing from there. I couldn't find anything like that for GMX, but that, and the new Hornady CX, might also need that jump. It would explain why groups got better while jump distance increased.
If I may, the 165 SST likes less jump. 2.815 COAL, 35 thou to the lands. Bolt gun only, will not be reliable in AR. The SST is already in the case, GMX will be deep, pressure higher. This is why I no longer use 168 TTSX, they like too much jump. I would suggest slowing them down a bit by going 2.800 COAL and/or a couple tenths off the powder. You have inspired me to test AR Comp in both platforms. Good luck in the field.
Greetings from Germany and thanks for another video. I just cannot get the GMX 150gr and 165gr to group well in my AR-10 no matter what i do. But they both like some jump, that is for sure. Keep up your good work👍
Hi from Australia, love your channel. I’ve been watching for years. Keep it coming. I have to say though I much preferred watching the actual impact on the real targets rather than the electronic target. I understand why you use the new system but it’s not my cup of tea. Cheers! Keith.
In some of my dies the ball pulls the shoulder. Makes me set the die low then pull the shoulder back to the proper datum. Works the case a bit to much. (( not sure every die will do it but mine do. )
Another lead free bullet you could try is the Badlands Precision bulldozer 2. They tend to be long, but have excellent BCs for copper bullets. I've seen good results from them so far. As an example, the G1 for the 150gr 308 is .515 vs the .415 G1 of the 165gr GMX. Edit: I see another commenter mentioned the hammer bullets, which have an excellent reputation.
thats reloading for ya . it don't always go like it should . just be glad it wasn't like my worst one . grabbed the wrong bullets and had to pull 800 rounds ! was loading 223 with 60 gr bullets and grabbed a box of 70gr ones !! try that with a kinetic puller ! i now got a rcbs puller die !!! lol
I would like to have seen you test the GMX bullets in a bolt gun instead. I would think those longer bullets would have shot better out of a 1-10 twist barrel than a 1-11 barrel. Pretty pricey to test a lot of those bullets, but it is what it is.
If you're looking to hunt deer with a copper bullet I would highly recommend giving the Barnes 130gr. TTSX a try. For powder I'm thinking TAC would be a good place to start. If TAC doesn't work out then go with BL-C{2} or IMR 3031. With copper bullets the faster the better. If I remember correctly Barnes has the reloading data for the bullet on their website, I think they even have a 20" 7.62x51 section. Seriosly, no B.S. it's definitely worth your time.
Hi Johnny, I love your vids! Can I suggest a topic for the 308? Barnes make a 150gn TSX with the biggest hollow point I have ever seen, designed for the 30-30 @ 2400fps. Can you test loads, and perhaps gel test this fired from a 308 @ 2,850? I imagine this would be a spectacular performer on deer if it was accurate!
It is what it is after i watching doing the realonding i say this guys is going to neil this because i do shoot the same ammo for my bergara bolt gun in 308 . So far i think im doing pretty god my rifle shoots 1/2 or better with a factory ammo but the only probles the ammo is so expensive and hard to find that i dont play longer shots . Only 400 meters out to made sure that i can get my red deer down here in Argentina .
We know you strive for perfection but, those groups are at 100 yards and I doubt you will need to shoot that far. If 1" at 100 yards becomes 1/2 " at 50 yards you are good to go. So my question is, how well do they expand?
I don't see anything wrong with this video. Not everything works properly the first time. We always have to go through a lot of dirt to find the gold. Even genius's like Thomas Edison had thousands of failures before inventing the electric light -- and it only burned for a few seconds. Reloading is a learning process, one that we all know about and understand.
Thank you so much for the video. Wow I know exactly what to do now. Can you perhaps tell me what Camera system you are using (Orange Cover), I would like to check that out.
You mean everything doesn't always go perfect? No worries man. Real-life is what we are all dealing with. I'm working up some gold dots this year myself.
This video was so rough I think I deserve a refund.... oh wait, nevermind. I find it comforting that I am not the only one that can sit at the reloading bench some days and have it seem like everything I touch is wrong or messed up. Thanks for your hard work.
Those SST groups are or can be classic seating depth issues. Judging by the first group you were close to a node then went past it. That crescent shaped group can mean your approaching the next node. I picked up someone's attempt at a custom Mauser in 257 Roberts last year. After fixing the mechanical issues with the action I'm chasing that node issue. I think rifle was sold off unfinished for some reason, among the issues was a loose barrel? Before I sink any more gold into load experiments I'm going to bed the action and add some sort of recoil lug, most likely Ruger style vertical pins like I've seen on M77's.
Agreed with most of the post here. Need to see dumpster fire range sessions not everything goes as planned. But understand your urgency with deer hunting around the corner.
If you want to use none lead bullets try hammer hunters or hammer shock hammer bullets I love them and for my hunting bullets that's what I use in all my rifles there easy to load for and are great on game..also I don't know if you have used the 165 sst on deer before or not but me and my dad use to use them but we did not like them.if you shoot a deer behind the shoulder or in the neck they do not leave a good exit hole at all
Nothing wrong with this vid; it shows that load development is just that: development. Always have to get some bad before you find some good. I always like to see others doing load development. Everyone runs into all the dramas at some stage. Good honest video. Well done. Footnote: my old 30-06 loved those 165 grain SST’s and my 308 absolutely eats them.
I have left the range mystified many times by loads that went "wait - what?!" on me. Funny is watching your SD go to single digit numbers, with SD in the teens - and suddenly you have a big vertical string. I usually suspect neck tension in those cases ar the gun's beating up the round - changing OAL slightly. Still, if that was changing pressure you should see it in velocity...
I have an old Savage 110E (definitely over 30 yrs old)...just loves 165 gr weighted bullets.
This has really become the highlight of my sunday evenings. I'm a grad student and have statistics homework due at midnight every Sunday. I used to procrastinate, but now I make sure I get it done before Johnny drops his weekly vid so I can enjoy it guilt free. You're doing the lord's work, Johnny.
The only man with the b’s to post a video with his screw ups for all to see but more so to learn from.
Johnny your my hero buddy. Love the channel.
Several 1” groups is now a bad thing?? Especially when only testing one charge weight. For hunting purposes, this was a success
I honestly was thinking the same thing. The guy was being way too hard on himself. For hunting purposes, adjust it, left a couple of clicks, and be a little high at 100 yards for a .308, perfect. Now, if you were competing and looking for a super accurate load for 1000 yard shooting, yeah, you might want subzero groups at 100 yards. I thought all these groups were good enough for deer hunting. Definitely a successful video, thanks, don't beat yourself up so much OP
Hey, if you'll post more often when dissatisfied with your Sunday vids, I vote for more dumpster fires! Love watching you work.
From a noobie, I appreciate a video of sub-standard results! Reminds me of two weekends ago... my daughter sitting around deer camp for her first time listening to stories of monster bucks and successful hunts, the next day we set the blind ALL DAY and see almost nothing. She got more and more disappointed as the day drug on. So I clued her into the fact that we always tell the stories of our great hunts... not of our days sitting in a stand and seeing nothing. That is part of it though.
Oh the joy of finding the proper jump for a particular copper bullet.. I seen some require .3" and some people even talk about .5"!! Most of the time it was "Crap these things are expensive!" now it's like "These might was well be the last 50 bullets on planet earth!" Thanks for the fresh content, can't wait to see what you bag this year! Hopefully you luck out like the last :)
Appreciate you posting this, these sound like my normal load testing for me lol 😆
Looking for information about SST, I came across this video. Even though the test is a disaster, I can relate to you because more than once I've come back from the shooting range foaming at the mouth, because everything has gone wrong.
This is what testing is all about.
I'm wary of a lot of videos where they always get it right the first time.
Keep grinding brother! We ALWAYS feel this starting a new load.
I think your reloading videos are some of the best. I'm glad you don't edit out the little things that catch up to all of us occasionally.
I'm using the 165 GMX this month on a hunt. First time hunting with them. Enjoyed this vid! Looking forward to the next one.
Accuracy is of function of velocity (based on the barrel and bullet chosen) and graphs as a Sin wave. OAL is fine tuning and not accuracy node location. Look at your velocities for the GMX and realize as it got slower, it got more accurate.
What bullet will match 308 1 and 8 twist rated?
@@lalmuanpuiijahau7531 No 308 Win should be rifled with a 1:8 twist rate. It's too fast, and optimal is a 1:10 or 1:11 or 1:11.25. The only 308 diameter caliber that I know of that is routinely cut with a 1:8 twist is 300 Blackout. This is a completely different caliber regardless of the same bullet diameter.
@@seanmtactical6069 I have this question because, when Mr Larry Vickers, an ex Delta force in Vickers tactical RUclips channel. When he interviewed hk employee with Army new CSASS rifle in shotshow we can see that in that video he asked the employee about the twist rated of CSASS rifle he answered it is 1:8 twist rated, I don't understand in that time but when I'm looking back at it I'm very interesting it, have you got any idea?
@@lalmuanpuiijahau7531 In 2019, the M110 program ordered 6.5 Creedmoor barrels for the KAS rifles in 1:8 twist, and they converted them from 308 Win.
@@seanmtactical6069 but in that video they didn't talk about 6.5cm and also in some articles, ive never heard about CSASS HK417 for 6.5 creedmoor, and the army didn't officially adopting 6.5cm, the socom had, I think what you've said is the Socom, and that shot show what I'm talking about is 2017 Shot show its two years early than what you've said, and nobody is talking about 1:8 twist rated barrel 308 that's why I'm asking you. Im just thinking about is the Army going to adopt heavy bullet like 200 grain high bc in long range for better stable in winddrift.
There is not a thing wrong with this video. Your honesty is what keeps me watching. Another solid video! Keep up the great work.
This video was helpful to me. I was trying some copper solids myself and had similar results. Waiting on the second one. Keep up the good work
Thanks for the vid. Though things didn't go according to plan, you still got data. Successful data, too, because you have a jumping off point for the next tests.
No need to apologize,, we want the good the bad and the ugly. It keeps it real.
Best video ever! I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has those days.
Fun video to watch for an old timer that has been reloading since 1972. I always wanted to be amongst the “cool kids” so I’ll have to try your neck sizing method. 😊
Its always good to learn, and just because you got a less than desired result, its still learning. I think most of the reloading is not a desired result. :) But we learn from it. John, not sure if you were just in a hurry or something else on the mind, but you know as reloaders, the mind has to be clear or we make mistakes.
With all the problems you had with this video, I appreciate you putting it up anyway. I always learn something from you my friend. Looking forward to video this week.
Mono bullets like to jump to lands!
I'm a few years behind. I agree, nothing wrong with this video. I am trying to get into reloading, so this is very informative. I found this video while looking into 300 HAMR. Wilson Combat uses Hornady 150gr SST 30 Cal .308 (Savage). This has a lower BC than the standard 150 gr SST 30 Cal .308. So, I am very curious as to why they use the "Savage variant". I bought a WC 300 HAMR Hunter couple years ago and have been using WC Factory Ammo. I think this is the cartridge, I want to work on. Side note Hornady has a new bullet (CX 150gr 30 Cal .308). Thanks for the lesson on load development.
I would like to see Hammer bullets tested at some point. If possible. They are an all copper bullet made by a smaller maker in Montana. They also say some of their bullets can be driven faster then conventional like their 6.5mm 129g absolute.
The best way to set an expander mandrel is to put a fired case in. Lower the die till it stops then back off a couple turns. This way you won’t crash and burn.
JRB you gotta get us back up to 45 minutes again at least. And dump some powder or something. Strictly business isn’t the same. And show me how to get the 22 cal TMK to run in a gas gun
I hope I'm wrong, but it seems to me like he's completely burned out on doing videos again. No enthusiasm. No humor. It's like he just wants to get over with 😢
He's still the man. Not another like him on the interweb
@@randyemenhiser2573 maybe you’re right and here I am asking him for more work.
Iiterally rewatch his vids mon through sat i miss his 3h streams
Mopar Madman will be so proud!
Even your dumpster fire videos stand amongst the best reloading content on RUclips.
My load for a friend's Savage .308 is 42.5gr of AR-Comp with a 150gr Barnes TTSX in Lake City 7.62 brass. It shoots 1" groups and does 2900fps out of his 18" barrel.
I would love to see a video where you try reaming the small primer pockets into large primer pockets and see how they perform.
I am happy to say that my hunting loads are GTG before JRB for once. Thanks for the vidya!
I guess I should tell ya what it is: 165gr Sierra SBT, 44.9gr N140, Sig brass, cci#200 2.750" OAL 2.150" to the ogive. RCBS neck sizing die/ seating die. Gun is a Ruger American Predator LH
Also: 120gr Barnes TAC-TX BT, Starline Brass, 17.5gr H110, CCI#400, Hornady FL sizing and seating dies. 2.250" oal 16" 300 BLK
Both have shot about .75" 5 shot groups @ 100yd Happy hunting JRB!
Might want to try one of those primer pocket restoring tricks, with the ball bearing on those Palma brass, just to test the technique
It Doesn't work. I've tried several times with every imaginable "trick".. play with it enough and eventually you'll just work harden the case head.. and then have case head separations. Trust me a primer popping out and jamming up your trigger is a lot better than a warm to hot loaded .308 or 30-06 case exploding next to your face. Either just accept it as scrap or stop hot rodding..
Been there, done that. Sometime', more than not, when putting a load together from scratch, for a new bullet or rifle, at the last minute for a hunt, you can only hope for the best. I'm probably about to do this very thing, this week, here in CO?!
Always the BEST handloading content on youtube, Johnny!!!
Loving these sunday video drops!
"why use an expander mandrel, I don't know, it's just what all the cool kids do". = why I watch your channel brother.
reminds me of when I was first learning to do shoulder bumps and couldn't figure out why it was so hard to bump back 0.030"
No apologizes needed. 😃 we learned a lot. Great video.😃👍🏻
You have a heck of a lot more money than I do. Look at all the toys and extra tools. A primer hole gauge? Just get a universal expanding die instead of a full set like you have. I guess if the money is there. What did folks do in the sixties and seventies without all these amenities? Great video. Love the detailed description of the shots. Thanks for taking the time to share
Man, that is a bummer. I think we have all been there though. Good luck with your next test.
I took a head shot on a doe today with the 120gr Gold Dots out of my 20 inch 6.5 Grendel at about 40 yards and that's a nasty bullet... Also shot another doe yesterday at about 130ish yards still got a complete pass through and it was a bang flop shot so I'm really digging that bullet so far. Already shot a few hogs with really good results as well. I just wish they would come back in stock in something other then 50 round boxes with a 2 box minimum... Great video as always and good luck this season!!!
Thanks mate , you rock, you have helped me so much with my 308 handloading
cheers from Oz
Rob
All of these loads are Respectable for wooded hunting. The GMX 1.08" and all of the SST are great for open field hunting , up to 400 yard. (Not recommended ethical distance) The other 2 GMX loads are comparable to factory off the shelf box of cartridges.. (cheap crap) I enjoy your video's. Nothing wrong with this video . Keep them coming.🦉
Always enjoy your channel, keep them coming I want to reload for at least 4 different calibers. Reloaded in the past on other people's equipment. One day on my own and went I do I will be revisiting many of your videos thanks again for your hard work
Sunday gun-day.. not your fault them bullets would not behave.. great video..
Yep, run smaller gaps between test groups. EC said that most nodes are about 0.006" wide in seating depth, and about 0.012"-0.015" wide between good to bad. I would recommend for the GMX, start with the 2.118" and do it over. Start at 2.121" and progress shorter by 0.003" to 2.106". This should cover nearly the entire node zone. Another item would be to reduce the load by 0.2gr. since it was a compressed load, and the lower velocities did not hurt.
For lead free, my 20” AR10 likes the Barnes 165gr TSX over 42.3gr H4895 seated at Mag length. In my experience, when I try to push the velocities to near max in the AR10, the groups fall apart (most of the time lol).
I have seen this as well out of an AR10.
I set this GMXs to 2.79“ OAL above 45grs of CFE223 and Fed215 primers.
Grouping is below 1“. Good for me.
Larger OALs delivered worse groups. Cheers.
In my expirience, the GMX165 delivered much better blood trails than TTSX 168, 150 and 130 did. Even with partial much lower impact velocities.
I had the same problem with .308 factory loads 165 gr. gmx. (>2”). SSTs were in the 1.25” range. However I was able to work up a hand load for the 165 Barnes TTSX that shoots < 0.75” groups.
Thanks Johnny!
I know you were t pleased with this video but I love the human element of this videos and how in some of your other videos you aren’t afraid to show your mistakes. Lord knows I make way more than you.
That 2.79" 165 grain SST load is money. .83" is nothing to sneeze at.
My load for this year is 40.5 grains of AR-comp over a 155 grain BTHP.
I prefer the 150 grain SST but I'm out.
Thanks for the interesing Video. Especially since the lead free bullets are required for hunting in many places. I like that you really showed the diference between two bullets with the same weight. However it is my understanding that the bullets surface touching the rifle barrel is detrimental for the accuracy out of the barrel with a specific twist rate. If the SST and the GMX are compared you can clearly see that the GMX bullet is much longer due to the different material of the bullet. Therefore the surface of the GMX touching the barrel is higher compared to the SST surface touching the barrel. I guess it would be more compareable if you dropped the bullet weight of the GMX down to 150 Grain. That sould even out the differences. it would be extremly interesting to see the results of that test. I really appreciate all the work you are doing and the good quality of your videos. Cheers from Germany
This is exactly how reloading has gone for me many times
Excellent info in your videos as always. Thank you.
Johnny I always leave the cap off the mandrel and screw the die down and measure how much the mandrel protrudes to make sure I don’t bottom the case out. This process only takes 30 seconds and will keep that from happening.
One suggestion I have is that you chamfer the case mouths before you deburr them. Sometimes the chamfer tool can leave a slight raised sharp edge (burr) which the deburr tool will remove.
This isn't a crappy video, partner. I call this a result. That is what we are after when we're testing and experimenting after all. A result. Data for the D.O.P.E.
I see two ways you can go with this on the GMX bullet. One, is to try and use the 2.790" seating depth and go up in powder charge to try and get to 2750fps, or go with the 2.740" seating depth and back off the powder charge by about 0.3 grains. This should drop velocity to about 2650fps which is typically the next lower accuracy node for .308. FYI most factory match ammo is loaded to about 2650fps for a reason. Looking forward to the next video! As always, awesome work.
not sure you are correct but i think the same way you do .
i have a lot of trouble with bullet movement in semi-auto and i have come to the concjusion that it cannot be prevented?
Good video Johnny . You'll get figured out some of those groups looks like it want to perform maybe close enough for good inside 100yard deer load.
Give the barrel a good cleaning before shooting solid copper bullets. See if that helps.
Hi Johnny. Nothing wrong with this video. We can still learn from the video. In this case from the mistake you made but reloading not always easy. Thank you.
Just a hair shorter with the GMX does indeed look promising. I feel like it would respond well to crimping also.
I’m about 6 mon into reloading and just found your channel. Had no idea OAL effected accuracy that much. 😳
not always but in with the all copper bullets, it does seem quite large
@@justsumname ok, gotcha, thanks
From what I could find in my own research, copper bullets seem to need some jump. Barnes recommends starting load development at 0.070" jump and increasing from there. I couldn't find anything like that for GMX, but that, and the new Hornady CX, might also need that jump. It would explain why groups got better while jump distance increased.
Nice literally on my birthday thanks Johnny
Always a great video and opportunity to learn, thanks
If you look on the hornady 11th edition, I have it on their app, they list GMX separate now.
If I may, the 165 SST likes less jump. 2.815 COAL, 35 thou to the lands. Bolt gun only, will not be reliable in AR. The SST is already in the case, GMX will be deep, pressure higher. This is why I no longer use 168 TTSX, they like too much jump. I would suggest slowing them down a bit by going 2.800 COAL and/or a couple tenths off the powder. You have inspired me to test AR Comp in both platforms. Good luck in the field.
Greetings from Germany and thanks for another video. I just cannot get the GMX 150gr and 165gr to group well in my AR-10 no matter what i do. But they both like some jump, that is for sure. Keep up your good work👍
Wasn't a trash video for me. I'd be happy if it was all .308 Win, all the time! Thanks for your efforts, I really appreciate everything you do!
Good video! Nothing wrong with it!
Hi from Australia, love your channel. I’ve been watching for years. Keep it coming. I have to say though I much preferred watching the actual impact on the real targets rather than the electronic target. I understand why you use the new system but it’s not my cup of tea. Cheers! Keith.
I thought this was very entertaining, and a lot to learn for people. Good job showing your mistakes.
In some of my dies the ball pulls the shoulder. Makes me set the die low then pull the shoulder back to the proper datum. Works the case a bit to much. (( not sure every die will do it but mine do. )
Video was fine. Dont beat yourself up to much. Would love to know more about those expander mandrels. Those are pretty slick.
Learning times @ the bench!!
Another lead free bullet you could try is the Badlands Precision bulldozer 2. They tend to be long, but have excellent BCs for copper bullets. I've seen good results from them so far. As an example, the G1 for the 150gr 308 is .515 vs the .415 G1 of the 165gr GMX. Edit: I see another commenter mentioned the hammer bullets, which have an excellent reputation.
thats reloading for ya . it don't always go like it should . just be glad it wasn't like my worst one . grabbed the wrong bullets and had to pull 800 rounds ! was loading 223 with 60 gr bullets and grabbed a box of 70gr ones !! try that with a kinetic puller ! i now got a rcbs puller die !!! lol
Great content. Could you do one covering the Hornady CX .308 w/Varget powder? That would be great. Again, thank you for what you do.
I would like to have seen you test the GMX bullets in a bolt gun instead. I would think those longer bullets would have shot better out of a 1-10 twist barrel than a 1-11 barrel. Pretty pricey to test a lot of those bullets, but it is what it is.
We going to get some hunting footage this year maybe👀👀👀
Its good to see !
If you're looking to hunt deer with a copper bullet I would highly recommend giving the Barnes 130gr. TTSX a try. For powder I'm thinking TAC would be a good place to start. If TAC doesn't work out then go with BL-C{2} or IMR 3031. With copper bullets the faster the better. If I remember correctly Barnes has the reloading data for the bullet on their website, I think they even have a 20" 7.62x51 section. Seriosly, no B.S. it's definitely worth your time.
My buck fell in it’s tracks this year with a 150gr tsx on top of 4064 (this is out of an 06). That round shoots sub moa all day and works well.
Hi Johnny, I love your vids! Can I suggest a topic for the 308? Barnes make a 150gn TSX with the biggest hollow point I have ever seen, designed for the 30-30 @ 2400fps. Can you test loads, and perhaps gel test this fired from a 308 @ 2,850? I imagine this would be a spectacular performer on deer if it was accurate!
I’ll stick to lead bullets. The one shot a year won’t hurt the environment. Speer HotCor does a nice job
Fragmentation in meat and less retained weight meaning less penetration
This is on my 308win. Ruger American predator in 18"barrel bolt action I am shooting 150 gr.speer spitzer SP the data book saying to seat at 2.700
It is what it is after i watching doing the realonding i say this guys is going to neil this because i do shoot the same ammo for my bergara bolt gun in 308 .
So far i think im doing pretty god my rifle shoots 1/2 or better with a factory ammo but the only probles the ammo is so expensive and hard to find that i dont play longer shots .
Only 400 meters out to made sure that i can get my red deer down here in Argentina .
JRB can't make a bad video
We know you strive for perfection but, those groups are at 100 yards and I doubt you will need to shoot that far. If 1" at 100 yards becomes 1/2 " at 50 yards you are good to go. So my question is, how well do they expand?
I don't see anything wrong with this video. Not everything works properly the first time. We always have to go through a lot of dirt to find the gold. Even genius's like Thomas Edison had thousands of failures before inventing the electric light -- and it only burned for a few seconds. Reloading is a learning process, one that we all know about and understand.
My .308 loves the gmx
Thank you so much for the video. Wow I know exactly what to do now. Can you perhaps tell me what Camera system you are using (Orange Cover), I would like to check that out.
308 Win 165gr GMX 43.0gr Varget .175” off lands 2650fps 20” barrel, consistent less than one MOA
You mean everything doesn't always go perfect? No worries man. Real-life is what we are all dealing with. I'm working up some gold dots this year myself.
Thanks! Where in KY are you located? I’m learning a ton from your videos.
I really like not chasing lead through the meat with the GMX. 165s in .30-06, 150s in 308.
Still a great video
This video was so rough I think I deserve a refund.... oh wait, nevermind.
I find it comforting that I am not the only one that can sit at the reloading bench some days and have it seem like everything I touch is wrong or messed up. Thanks for your hard work.
Those SST groups are or can be classic seating depth issues. Judging by the first group you were close to a node then went past it. That crescent shaped group can mean your approaching the next node. I picked up someone's attempt at a custom Mauser in 257 Roberts last year. After fixing the mechanical issues with the action I'm chasing that node issue. I think rifle was sold off unfinished for some reason, among the issues was a loose barrel? Before I sink any more gold into load experiments I'm going to bed the action and add some sort of recoil lug, most likely Ruger style vertical pins like I've seen on M77's.
Agreed with most of the post here. Need to see dumpster fire range sessions not everything goes as planned. But understand your urgency with deer hunting around the corner.
If you want to use none lead bullets try hammer hunters or hammer shock hammer bullets I love them and for my hunting bullets that's what I use in all my rifles there easy to load for and are great on game..also I don't know if you have used the 165 sst on deer before or not but me and my dad use to use them but we did not like them.if you shoot a deer behind the shoulder or in the neck they do not leave a good exit hole at all