I can't shoot this well, few folks that I've seen can. I'd be delighted. But... If making marginal changes in alloy, charge, size etc. don't make substantial and visible changes in group size, then probably/maybe they are making no difference. If we can't make a decision based on the available data, then maybe/probably there's no decision to be made. In this case, I would suggest changing something major, like the bullet or the powder. I can't think what else is major in the system. I changed from 14.5/IMR4227 to 12/AA#9 in my 30/30 Martini bench gun, because I read reports in the Journal/News that others were using the powder with good results. It made a substantial difference, quick. Averages of five 5 shot 100 yard groups went from around 1" to around 3/4", and the odd flyers were reduced. I just got a M54 Win. in 30/30, with about a 9/16" dia muzzle and a 37# (est.) trigger pull. With my 30/30 load of 12/AA#9, 2 1/2, 311299 Alox (and a GC for no particular reason, don't use em in the Martini), this gun shot 5 in 1.1", .625" and 1.225". The powder works for me. I think I've read that AA#9 and H108 are about the same, and very like WW296/H110. Another suggestion is that you measure groups with a plastic clear ruler graduated in 1/10". This was suggested to me by John Alexander, and I find that it is easy to measure groups in .025" increments- the difference between say .900", .925", .950" and 1.000" is easy to see-and I'm old and trifocular. Perhaps a more precise measurement wouls show differences in group size more clearly. For me, if I can average 3/4" over the long haul, that's all I'll ever want or need from a SS gun. Bench matches can be won with the smaller groups making up the average. Maybe AA#9 would work for you. joe b.
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