Virtus Osprey 150gr in 30.06 - first loads encouraging

[zambezi]

In both 30.06 and 6.5x55mm I am looking to find a domestic supplier of projectiles to hedge against availability/cost of imports. The early 6.5x55mm tests have gone well.

Today I did a cheeky three-shot "ladder" to establish very crude parameters for my 30.06 evaluation of 150gr Virtus Ospreys. Criteria: POI same as current Barnes load?, felt recoil, appearance of spent cartridge. [Not scientific, not definitive, but a very economical way to start finding a good load that could be interchangeable with other ammo in the cupboard out to 150m]

Based on the Vihtavuori data for the N540 powder I use in 30.06, the charge range is 48 to 53 gr for sample 150gr bullets. [no exact match for Virtus projectile, Some 150gr projectiles charge values are even higher]



Next looked to see what GRT modelling thought the pressures would be for charge values between 48.5 and 51gr. [caveat: GRT does not list Virtus projectiles either, so I looked at several different permutations. All suggested large safety margin]



Based on that I loaded three cartridges [all 2.25" COAL] at 49gr , 49.5gr and 50gr N540. I then fired all three at a target set at 100m, and included a tried-and-proven Barnes 180gr by way of control.



One swallow does not a summer make...but the 49gr load is closest to the rifle's existing POA/POI, felt really comfortable, case extracted easily and looked fine.

The 49.5gr and 50gr cartridges had a little resistance on bolt lift, but cases all fine and not "extractor signed". So I could probably run a little hotter than 49gr if that does not deliver the goods.

On my return home I have prepped another 4 of the 49gr offerings and will next shoot for a group. If good, I will chrono for drop data, but that is very much secondary to reliable POI. Happy days...

 

[zambezi]

Based on that I loaded three cartridges [all 2.25" COAL]

Urgh...typo in text and image annotation: Should read as below:

Based on that I loaded three cartridges [all 3.25" COAL] at 49gr , 49.5gr and 50gr N540. I then fired all three at a target set at 100m, and included a tried-and-proven Barnes 180gr by way of control.

 

[Selous]

It will be interesting to see how it groups on this briefest ever load workup!!

 

[zambezi]

It will be interesting to see how it groups on this briefest ever load workup!!

To be honest, I am more hopeful than expectant. It was more lucky dip than work up.

But with component prices as they are, any economy in the development cycle is very welcome.

I have some range time on 22nd. Will post results after that.

 

[WSSX]

@zambezi you mention you've not yet put them over a chronograph. It's probably worth me mentioning that Vern at Virtus told me the Osprey needs to be doing at least 2,800fps (ideally 2,850+) at the muzzle to perform reliably. If loading below that, he suggested the Merlin was the better option.

We were discussing the 140gr in a .308, but I presume this is more about the Osprey design than a specific bullet weight etc? There were also instructions to keep shots under 200ish yards. This is the toughest of their bullets.

 

[Virtus Precision UK]

@zambezi you mention you've not yet put them over a chronograph. It's probably worth me mentioning that Vern at Virtus told me the Osprey needs to be doing at least 2,800fps (ideally 2,850+) at the muzzle to perform reliably. If loading below that, he suggested the Merlin was the better option.

We were discussing the 140gr in a .308, but I presume this is more about the Osprey design than a specific bullet weight etc? There were also instructions to keep shots under 200ish yards. This is the toughest of their bullets.

That is correct. The Osprey projectiles preform well at higher impact velocities. The 30Cal 125GR Osprey projectile is an excellent choice for .308Win. It is currently the favourite projectile of one of the top deer stalkers in the country and will also be my personal choice on Sika this season. We will also soon have loaded ammunition available in four different calibers.

 

[zambezi]

Today's range test was limited to a grouping test using the four 49gr loads seen above in #1.

Not bad, but not yet conclusive. Shots 1 through 3 were through a cold barrel. Shot 4 is perhaps ½" low of the first three. Me or hot barrel? Not sure. [second image to show size of target]

I will now make a batch of 10. I will shoot 5 for group testing first. If good, I will chrono the last five so I can be sure I am doing reasonable MV per maker's caution in #6.

As ever, this load is giving these results in my rifle with no pressure signs. In sharing this data I make no recommendation on its use in anyone's firearm.

 

[zambezi]

More testing today. 7 cartridges of 49gr N540 under Virtus Osprey 150gr.

First three shots off sticks at 100m: . The next 4 were with magnetospeed chrono fitted to muzzle: Slight POI shift, and one wayward [#3] which I know was me. And the chrono says: What is absolutely encouraging is that GRT ballistics calculator predicted 2611FPS for this load, so it looks to be well calibrated for this powder/cartridge combo. Based on that, the GRT predicted 2700FPS for a 51gr N540 charge looks on the money. But note the range the very mild 49gr load gives me below.


[NB: shot #4 in that string failed to record MV because I had the chrono sensitivity set too high post rimfire testing on previous session]


Circling back to the Virtus product page, and with due reference to their post in #6 above, I know that the Osprey projectile needs better than 1500FPS terminal velocity in order to perform:

So using the known MV, and maker's estimated bc value, a sample calculation suggests that this round is serviceable to approx 300m: I cannot see me shooting further than that in typical U.K. scenarios.

Time to deploy in the field to see what the performance on live quarry reveals....TBC

 

[Virtus Precision UK]

More testing today. 7 cartridges of 49gr N540 under Virtus Osprey 150gr.

First three shots off sticks at 100m: View attachment 279276. The next 4 were with magnetospeed chrono fitted to muzzle: View attachment 279277 Slight POI shift, and one wayward [#3] which I know was me. And the chrono says: View attachment 279278What is absolutely encouraging is that GRT ballistics calculator predicted 2611FPS for this load, so it looks to be well calibrated for this powder/cartridge combo. Based on that, the GRT predicted 2700FPS for a 51gr N540 charge looks on the money. But note the range the very mild 49gr load gives me below.


[NB: shot #4 in that string failed to record MV because I had the chrono sensitivity set too high post rimfire testing on previous session]


Circling back to the Virtus product page, and with due reference to their post in #6 above, I know that the Osprey projectile needs better than 1500FPS terminal velocity in order to perform: View attachment 279279

So using the known MV, and maker's estimated bc value, a sample calculation suggests that this round is serviceable to approx 300m: View attachment 279280 I cannot see me shooting further than that in typical U.K. scenarios.

Time to deploy in the field to see what the performance on live quarry reveals....TBC

Zambezi,

Please PM us if you want to see the some performance from the Osprey projectiles. I have plenty of feedback from experienced people around the country. So far our products are preforming very well.

 

[zambezi]

Please PM us if you want to see the some performance from the Osprey projectiles.

Will do. I have already read the performance reviews you have published online. They are all very encouraging. However, there is no substitute for personal experience, so I will now proceed to see how they work out for me this winter.

 

[Virtus Precision UK]

Will do. I have already read the performance reviews you have published online. They are all very encouraging. However, there is no substitute for personal experience, so I will now proceed to see how they work out for me this winter.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues.

 

[gaza916]

Finished the load development today for a 6.5x55 using RS70 and 110gr Merlins at 2900FPS. Shooting 1/2 MOA without having to tweak the seating depth. That’ll do nicely!

6.5 PRC is proving a little more challenging, achieving 1 MOA with RS70 and 110gr Merlins at 3320FPS. Good enough for a trip to Scotland next week but I’ll play with the seating depth to try and shrink the group size when I have the time.

 

[Virtus Precision UK]

Finished the load development today for a 6.5x55 using RS70 and 110gr Merlins at 2900FPS. Shooting 1/2 MOA without having to tweak the seating depth. That’ll do nicely!

6.5 PRC is proving a little more challenging, achieving 1 MOA with RS70 and 110gr Merlins at 3320FPS. Good enough for a trip to Scotland next week but I’ll play with the seating depth to try and shrink the group size when I have the time.

Gaz,

You will be glad to know that we have just created a 130GR 6.5mm projectile in the last 7 days. It has just been tested in the States and the UK with great results in 1:7.5 and 1:7 twist. We are unsure how it will do in 1:8 twist as the stability factor might drop below 1.5 that could affect the accuracy. The 130GR is available in target and Merlin design currently. In my opinion thou you might be better off with an Osprey design if it is going to be used in 6.5PRC due to the high muzzle velocities of that caliber. The 6.5mm Osprey projectiles are not yet available 130GR.

 

[gaza916]

Gaz,

You will be glad to know that we have just created a 130GR 6.5mm projectile in the last 7 days. It has just been tested in the States and the UK with great results in 1:7.5 and 1:7 twist. We are unsure how it will do in 1:8 twist as the stability factor might drop below 1.5 that could affect the accuracy. The 130GR is available in target and Merlin design currently. In my opinion thou you might be better off with an Osprey design if it is going to be used in 6.5PRC due to the high muzzle velocities of that caliber. The 6.5mm Osprey projectiles are not yet available 130GR.

V

Thanks mate. The Blaser twist rate might scupper the 130gr but might be worth a try. I’ll see next week how the 110s perform on the reds at fairly high MV.

Gaz

 

[zambezi]

Field tested new load on deer this week: three taken [two Reds and one fallow] at ranges between 100 and 165m.

In all cases, the heart lungs were destroyed humanely.

 

[zambezi]

I returned to this project and did a few more test rounds using slightly stouter loads.

Whereas the Virtus osprey 150gr + 49gr N540 gave me a similar POI to another load I use throwing the 180gr Barnes ttsx, it does not deliver the best group.

So what if I forsake the quest for common point of impact across all loads and rather aim for best grouping in all loads? [I.e. adjust sighting point on scope when switching between loads]

Today is very encouraging. The 50gr N540 load under Virtus osprey 150gr delivered this three-shot sampler at 100m:



This result suggests a good node, so I will make a larger batch and retest. If all results confirm good, I may just have found my new favourite .30 cal load. BTW, the group started opening up at lods above 50gr N540.

 

[zambezi]

That is correct. The Osprey projectiles preform well at higher impact velocities. The 30Cal 125GR Osprey projectile is an excellent choice for .308Win. It is currently the favourite projectile of one of the top deer stalkers in the country and will also be my personal choice on Sika this season. We will also soon have loaded ammunition available in four different calibers.

I am so impressed with accuracy and terminal perfomance I ordered some more 150gn a few days back. But no eta of delivery, so I tried calling published number two days ago and let message, no reply.

Could someone at Virtus get back to me on the North Devon order for 100 150gn .30 cal Ospreys?

 

[Virtus Precision UK]

Hi Zambezi,

Please PM me about your order.

Regards,
Vern.

 

[zambezi]

Hi Zambezi,

Please PM me about your order.

Regards,
Vern.

Thanks Vern for engaging to re-schedule delivery.

 

[zambezi]

I have now used the Virtus 150gn Ospreys on many Red and Roe in the last 8 months. A truly excellent performing projectile. It is now my go-to for the 30.06.

It was good to catch up with the maker at the Stalking Show yesterday. Very helpful, very willing.