Single Shot Rifle Calibers

[Long Cut]

I ended up going with the 6.5 CM. The ballistics with the 16.5” barrel and Viht N555 powder had a 95% burn rate with average hunting loads 40-43grains.

I’ll update with pictures when the gun arrives to my FFL

I appreciate all the help guys! I’m very thankful to be apart of this forum

 

[Long Cut]

Went out to West Point today to break in my new rifle with various hand loads.

Rifle: CVA Scout 6.5 CM Compact 20”
Powder: Viht N555
Brass: Lapua SRP
Primer: CCI 400
Bullets : Nosler BT140 & Barnes TTSX 120
COAL 2.764
Range: 100 Yards

Ladder tested 3x rounds in .5gr increments for each bullet for a total of 5 various powder charges per bullet. 15x bullets for Nosler and 15x bullets for Barnes.

Nosler BT’s produced a .46MOA best group and Barnes TTSX a 1.03MOA best group.

Forgive my shotty pictures and editing. I didn’t want to hold up the other shooters on the range.
A better marksmen could definitely get this gun consistently under 1MOA but it’s dang good enough for my needs.

 

[Buckman18]

45-70. And load it HAWT!

Be a man. No guts no glory. Hot mountain women dig a man who shoots a big canon.

 

[Long Cut]

45-70. And load it HAWT!

Be a man. No guts no glory. Hot mountain women dig a man who shoots a big canon.

A 7# 45-70 sounds miserable to shoot, let alone pay for the ammo nowadays.

 

[rosewood]

Went out to West Point today to break in my new rifle with various hand loads.



Rifle: CVA Scout 6.5 CM Compact 20”

Powder: Viht N555

Brass: Lapua SRP

Primer: CCI 400

Bullets : Nosler BT140 & Barnes TTSX 120

COAL 2.764

Range: 100 Yards



Ladder tested 3x rounds in .5gr increments for each bullet for a total of 5 various powder charges per bullet. 15x bullets for Nosler and 15x bullets for Barnes.



Nosler BT’s produced a .46MOA best group and Barnes TTSX a 1.03MOA best group.



Forgive my shotty pictures and editing. I didn’t want to hold up the other shooters on the range.

A better marksmen could definitely get this gun consistently under 1MOA but it’s dang good enough for my needs.

Pics look good when u open them up.

Good shootin.

 

[tcward]

A 7# 45-70 sounds miserable to shoot, let alone pay for the ammo nowadays.

It is.

 

[Jester896]

I like the .57 group the best

 

[menhadenman]

It is.

This 45-70 shoots easy and the ammo is cheap and accurate if you reload. Maybe the brake makes the difference? It’s mild compared to my light 30-06 or 7 RM or 300 WM.

 

[menhadenman]

I like the .57 group the best

Why that over the 0.46?

 

[Geezer Ray]

This 45-70 shoots easy and the ammo is cheap and accurate if you reload. Maybe the brake makes the difference? It’s mild compared to my light 30-06 or 7 RM or 300 WM.


View attachment 1210796

But,,,,,can you hear anymore?

 

[Long Cut]

I like the .57 group the best

I may get a wild hair and load between those in .1 or .2 gr increments to try and squeeze some accuracy out.

It seems there’s a “node” between 40 and 40.5 as they both consistently shot the best. I do not own a chronograph, just going off to groups.

I just bought 100 ELDX 143’s so I’ll compare them to the 140 BT’s for the next range trip.

 

[Long Cut]

This 45-70 shoots easy and the ammo is cheap and accurate if you reload. Maybe the brake makes the difference? It’s mild compared to my light 30-06 or 7 RM or 300 WM.


View attachment 1210796

Muzzle brakes definitely make a difference, the brake I have on my other 6.5 reduces recoil by probably 40-50%. Makes that rifle kick like a .223 when it’s on.

Now shooting a rifle with a muzzle brake without ear pro is miserable. I’ve got tinnitus from shooting without ear pro and hunting with braked rifles. I’ve now moved away from hunting with a braked rifle and looking into suppressors personally.
Tinnitus is irreversible, unfortunately.

 

[menhadenman]

Muzzle brakes definitely make a difference, the brake I have on my other 6.5 reduces recoil by probably 40-50%. Makes that rifle kick like a .223 when it’s on.

Now shooting a rifle with a muzzle brake without ear pro is miserable. I’ve got tinnitus from shooting without ear pro and hunting with braked rifles. I’ve now moved away from hunting with a braked rifle and looking into suppressors personally.
Tinnitus is irreversible, unfortunately.

I have suppressors and they are great, especially for kids. Too bad our government is full on assault on our constitution but that’s another story.

The brake being loud hasn’t hit me yet. An AR15 pistol is one thing but a rifle with a brake is better than you think and ear protection is better than ever.

If you haven’t tried the new electronic earmuffs please do. You can hear the grass crunching under your feet before unleashing on some critters.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08LXX3B2N?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image