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Old March 20, 2009, 11:03 AM   #1
TFL4L
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Vertical stringing of handloads: diagnosis?

Some hand loads will disperse more in a "scatter", but sometimes they are almost a pure vertical string.

Is there a general rule of thumb for what vertical stringing of a hand load indicates?
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Old March 20, 2009, 11:16 AM   #2
whiplash
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Some times that is due to barrels heating up....not always, but sometimes...
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Old March 20, 2009, 11:32 AM   #3
Apache6
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That would be my answer, too.
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Old March 20, 2009, 11:43 AM   #4
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The list is endless:

Not consistant OAL
Not consistant Powder charge
Not consistant brass volume
Not consistant brass sizing
etc etc

Remember Consistancy is accuracy
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Old March 20, 2009, 01:19 PM   #5
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Everyone is right but one thing I have noticed: Verticle stringing is often (in my experience) a signal you are getting close. Provided you are not getting any pressure signs, increase the powder and you may see group size improve. If not decrease a bit. If no change, you are on your own! Good luck
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Old March 20, 2009, 02:52 PM   #6
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Purely vertical stringing can be any of the things Kraig said, it also can be that your load's barrel time has the bullet exiting at the wrong moment in the barrel's normal harmonic swing, such that small round-to-round differences are exaggerated on the target. That is the explanation for what zeisloft has observed. It could also be a loose stock fit, or that you have the fore end of a flimsy stock resting on a sandbag and thus actually touching the barrel.

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Old March 20, 2009, 03:47 PM   #7
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If you are bench resting the loads, you have to use care to have the same hold and contact points with every shot. If the heel of the grip contacts a firm surface intermittently it can cause vertical stringing.

EDIT: Finally occurs to me you were shooting a rifle while I had pistol loads on the brain.
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Old March 20, 2009, 03:51 PM   #8
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90% barrel contact. A Chrony will prove out the rest. Wet case lube trapped in the bottom can be a hiding bear. Use powdered graphite and neck size. -7-
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Old March 20, 2009, 07:45 PM   #9
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Barrel heating up would be my number one response followed by the wood or stock slightly touching or putting pressure on one small area of the barrel. Could be bedding problems or stock screw tightness.
I agree with zeisloft in that I have seen 2 rifles, not mine, that when we were working up loads the mild midrange loads showed vertical stringing and when getting closer to maximum the groups turned from vertical to a nice tight circular group. Why I don't know?
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Old March 21, 2009, 12:20 AM   #10
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The barrel heat is a good point. Next time out, fire two foulers and let the barrel cool a good five minutes between shots and if the problem goes away, that's your answer. If not, fall back on the other things.
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Old March 21, 2009, 01:59 AM   #11
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Read this thread- near the bottom. I'm not saying that is YOUR problem, but others certainly have experienced it.

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.p...,147699.0.html
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Old March 21, 2009, 05:34 AM   #12
314EPW
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stringing

This worked for me.I had a 270 that did stringing in very cold weather.15 degrees or less.Used mag primers and it went away.Reduce load if you are going to try this!!
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Old March 21, 2009, 03:47 PM   #13
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Here's a pretty good article on vertical stringing:

http://www.6mmbr.com/verticaltips.html
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