So I MIGHT (about 50:50 chance), go goat (Oreamnos americanus https://www.google.com/search?q=oreamnos+americana&espv=2&biw=1536&bih=754&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CB8QsARqFQoTCIeW3Yfbn8cCFVE2iAodj9gDNg) hunting September 1. In thinking about a rifle to take, I decided that I would like to take the AR-10 chambered in 8mm-08. So I spent the past two days paper-whipping load ballistics to help me find a bullet among the many 8mm bullets I have, and a load for it.

I had started out looking at the 195-grain Hornady, but it turns out that the 200-grain Speer delivers the most energy to 300 yd with the flattest trajectory. I loaded 30 of them up using two powders - Alliant Reloder 17 and Hodgdon CFE223, in 5 each of 3 different charges separated by 0.3 grains. I hope to get to the range tomorrow to see how they shoot.

I'm also going to load 15 of the ANVBs (136-grain with lead tip) and give them a whirl. Paper-whipping says I should be able to get ~3100 f/s at the muzzle which should give me about ~1330 ft-lbs at 300 (and more than 1500 at 250), and only 5.5" low at 300. At 300, they still have more than 2000 f/s velocity. If they shoot straight (I'm doubting it), that's a good caribou bullet. Not 100% sure about goats. IF it really gets 3100 f/s MV AND if the drop at 2 or 3 hundred is consistent with the predicted values, the ANVB (136-grain, lead-tipped version), will be a good, Alaska, hunting cartridge/rifle.

The 200-grain Speers deliver ~1825 ft-lbs to 300 yd at a drop of -9" and an impact velocity of ~2029 f/s. At 250, the energy is almost 2000 ft-lbs; velocity ~2120 f/s, and drop of ~-3.5". This all out of a 23" barrel. That's GOOD. :D

All so much paper-whipping, though. I'm trying not to get my expectations up. If I get to the range tomorrow, I'll post a range report on Wednesday.

Paul

"Public" range not open to public on Mondays and Tuesdays. Sure Glad I called to check on hours. Looks like good weather tomorrow, so I'll head out early. They open at 1000.

Paul