This is my first post here. However I have been lurking for years and have learned a great deal from you all.
Thank you.
I have been reloading for just over a year, and am developing a new load:
.223 60gr VMAX with Vihtavuori N140, rifle is R700 1in12.
I am aiming to create the most accurate load I can with these components in order to shoot as far as possible (up to 700 yards).
These cannot be changed at this time, so all I have to play with are powder charge and seating depth.
I fired 3 groups of 3 rounds with different powder charges at 100yds. The problem is, they’re all incredibly good groups!
5 of the loads gave average groups of less than 0.5”. All the rounds landed at the point of aim and grouped very well, no signs of excess pressure.
They were shot in the same weather conditions on the same day, and they are so close in size I cannot choose which is best.
I do not have access to a chronograph nor will I any time soon.
I only have regular access to a 200 yard range.
Do I choose the smallest group size even if it is only thousandths smaller than another?
Do I shoot more groups of each? Perhaps 3 groups of 5 rounds for each load?
Do I test them all at 200 yards?
Do I choose the the least powder charge to save money?
Or favour the highest powder charge to potentially give it more power at range or increased velocity?
The best loads (based on group size alone) were 24.4, 24.6, 24.8, and 25.0.
Any advise, experience, opinions would be very much appreciated.
Cheers.
Thank you.
I have been reloading for just over a year, and am developing a new load:
.223 60gr VMAX with Vihtavuori N140, rifle is R700 1in12.
I am aiming to create the most accurate load I can with these components in order to shoot as far as possible (up to 700 yards).
These cannot be changed at this time, so all I have to play with are powder charge and seating depth.
I fired 3 groups of 3 rounds with different powder charges at 100yds. The problem is, they’re all incredibly good groups!
5 of the loads gave average groups of less than 0.5”. All the rounds landed at the point of aim and grouped very well, no signs of excess pressure.
They were shot in the same weather conditions on the same day, and they are so close in size I cannot choose which is best.
I do not have access to a chronograph nor will I any time soon.
I only have regular access to a 200 yard range.
Do I choose the smallest group size even if it is only thousandths smaller than another?
Do I shoot more groups of each? Perhaps 3 groups of 5 rounds for each load?
Do I test them all at 200 yards?
Do I choose the the least powder charge to save money?
Or favour the highest powder charge to potentially give it more power at range or increased velocity?
The best loads (based on group size alone) were 24.4, 24.6, 24.8, and 25.0.
Any advise, experience, opinions would be very much appreciated.
Cheers.