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Old 10-17-2014, 08:09 PM
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Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340  
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Default Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340

I haven't seen a range report in awhile and since I bought a chronograph a few weeks ago I thought I would put this up. I have been working up new loads (all published) with VihtaVuori powders because I stumbled across some for a decent price earlier this year. This was a second test out of my Sig P226 .40 S&W after an initial workup the weekend before.

I was also trying cast bullets for the first time because I picked up 1000 Badman 180 gr flatpoints when bullets were scarce last year. Initially I had trouble with N320 and leading. Not terrible but enough to irritate me. Props to Badman Bullets; I e-mailed their rep and he was tremendously helpful. I mean seriously helpful way beyond just answering my few questions. I tried using N340 with the same bullets recently and these are the results on the target attached. Accuracy was always good with these bullets, but the leading was hard to avoid with the N320. Got it down to just a wisp in 100 rounds with the N340.

I'd be interested in comments about standard deviation in particular, for example, what is acceptable in your opinion? I'd also like to hear what your testing regimen is like. I think mine is improving but it seems like the need for improvement is endless.

I felt like the Beta Master Chrony I picked up worked really well. Only a couple errors all day and none in this string.

Hope the pics are clear enough. They look good on my end.
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Old 10-18-2014, 09:28 AM
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Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340  
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thanks,
excellent range report - personally I'd really like to see a bunch of reports like these fill up the reloading forum. It could provide a bunch of worthwhile discussion topics.

pic's look great

I don't shoot the 40 S&W, nor do I use VV powders - but its great to see a Sig P226 just about clear out the 9 ring with a little sight change

I have chrony'd the 45 ACP (Colt Gold Cup) with 200 gr. lead SWC's and WST and got an ES of 36 and SD of 11 and had really nice tight groups. Others here said my numbers were "acceptable"

so

I think your numbers look comparable - but better yet the target looks great.

Why do you think the N340 did better with the leading issue?
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Old 10-18-2014, 10:37 AM
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Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340  
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I am not sure why the N340 did better I'd like to hear thoughts on that also. I did 5 different runs of N320 tweaking powder charges, primers, and OAL. It was a softer shooting round but always had just enough gas cutting to leave enough lead that it worked it's way down the barrel. The bullets I recovered with the N340 didn't show the gas cutting. The accuracy was just as good, but I had to shoot a mag of FMJ every 50 rounds to clear the decks. The N340 has more felt recoil. The guy at Badman Bullets said he thought that was due to N340 not being completely burned up upon the bullet exiting the 4.4 inch barrel. The N320 definitely fires slightly cleaner. Weird note about my sigs...factory wise they seem to like remington; the dirtier the better. My shield prefers blazer and PMC. My Bersa thunder 40 UC hates everything haha.

The chrony was a good addition to the testing I think. My tests feel more definitive now. I'm excited to try it with my 22-250.
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Old 10-18-2014, 12:00 PM
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Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340 Range report Badman 180 gr. and VV N340  
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Mighty fine report and <damnyourEyes!> er... I mean, "Great targets"....

I'm familiar with Badman bullets and get excellent performance in all the cowboy calibers as well.

Haven't done any chrono work with them yet.
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