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Long range load development at 100 yards.

Erik, you like that sub 2 fps spread. The first target is seating depth of 49.5 from the second target. I did not upload them In the correct order.
The second target, with the scratched out bullsey was 50gr but i totally pulled the second shot and did not get back comfortable for the last shot, I walked away for a bit and finished the 50.5 (bottom right) then i reshot 50 gr (bottom right) 2 days later when the downpour subsided. I then chose the in between (49.5) due to the very slight vertical difference between 49 and 50.

Clear as mud?
With that attempt of explanation what do you reccomend?


Thanks for the explanation. If that's the case, you need to try something different. Maybe change primers and start over.
 
Might as well pop this up here and see if there's any other insights - 46 - 46.5 looks about the sweet spot to me? Getting the odd sticky bolt lift from 46.5 up.
1VkLU1G.jpg

Test between 46 and 46.5. If you have chrono data it would make it easier to know where the node is. Test 46.2 for now and do a seating depth test. If results are good, go back and test in .1 gr. increments .5 gr. on each side of 46.2 using the best seating depth found in seating depth test.
 
Thanks for the replies all.

Test between 46 and 46.5. If you have chrono data it would make it easier to know where the node is. Test 46.2 for now and do a seating depth test. If results are good, go back and test in .1 gr. increments .5 gr. on each side of 46.2 using the best seating depth found in seating depth test.

The chrono data is on the image (in FPS, with average, ES & SD), but I don't particularly trust it (old Shooting Chrony, sunny day). I think the averages are probably pretty fair though.

Vertical offset vs charge weight as well:
IFJLYkr.jpg

EDIT: here's the average speeds:
6EnBYSD.jpg
 
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Chalkeye,

How many firings on this brass, do you anneal ?

Is it the same batch?

Asking because you have a huge velocity spread
 
I think this is the 3rd firing. No annealing at all.
My suspicion is the Chrony set up is contributing to the velocity variation, not the loads.
 
With that settled I will also go for 46gr to develop it further. Depending on the conditions at the day testing I will keep an eye on pressure if it was done on a cooler day and you are at the start of summer.

46 sit nicely in a huge band so up or down in velocity due to the temprature of the day will most probably still give you results.
 
I have the following to test this weekend:

3 x 46gr
5 x 46.2gr
5 x 46.4gr
3 x 46.6gr

I actually did a bunch more of 46.2gr, sort of gambling that this will be a winner (or good enough) as I have 7 days hunting with it after Easter!
 
I have the following to test this weekend:

3 x 46gr
5 x 46.2gr
5 x 46.4gr
3 x 46.6gr

I actually did a bunch more of 46.2gr, sort of gambling that this will be a winner (or good enough) as I have 7 days hunting with it after Easter!


There is a flier at 45.5 that's nagging me, maybe shooters error so I will do the same as you. For hunting the 46gr groups are ok as is but hopefully you can isolate a load and find time to do some seating depth tests as well before the hunt.
 
Thanks for the explanation. If that's the case, you need to try something different. Maybe change primers and start over.
Thanks Erik and mozella,
I try to conform with good info in, good info out. I was using plain cci lr but I will rework it and step up to my br2 and see how it goes.
 
Erik,

Here is a second try with BR2 primers instead of regular. I'm thinking group 7 or 8, least ES difference and average velocity difference, more towards group 8 due to lowest ES.
I have zero pressure signs but I'm out of case capacity, so I can't go higher in charge weight. I am seated long for the bullet per hodgdon manual so I can still seat deeper and get into a compressed load. .308, 110 vmax, cci br2, xbr 8208, (current depth) 3.20 base to ogive. Thanks for the input!110 vmax xbr powder.jpg
 
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hi Erik or anybody,
could you please scan your eyes over this and let me know what you think please.
groups shot over 100yds,open sights ,target rifle. thank you .paul
 

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hi Erik or anybody,
could you please scan your eyes over this and let me know what you think please.
groups shot over 100yds,open sights ,target rifle. thank you .paul
Was this at 100 yrds or more than 100 yrds? Either way great shooting with open sights. What rifle, caliber, bullet, powder, velocity, ES? With what you have so far I'd explore between 44.4 and 44.7.
 
Hi there and thank you for taking the time to reply.
Test conducted over 100 yds with my target rifle. Grunig and elmiger 308.
8208 powder. Lapua Palma cases.cci 450 magnum primers.33inch Krieger 1/12.
Thanks again
Paul
 
Mr Erik,

Does one favor the other for a 1,000 yard FTR load? These were both 5 shot groups at 100.

The 1st one is around .370" center to center.

The 2nd just a touch more. I honestly think the 2 shots on each that are separated from group was cheek placement on rifle.

Just curious on opinion. I changed bullet from one to the other.

IMG_45811_zps9pc0g3sv.jpg


IMG_45821_zpsuuabbeq7.jpg
 
Once accuracy is solidly under 1/2 MOA, focus on SD and BC variability instead of group size. Those factors will dominate at 1k. Do you have a good Chrony? Magnetospeed, LabRadar, or Oehler?

In other words - those groups are both fine. See in what other aspects the two loads vary.


Mr Erik,

Does one favor the other for a 1,000 yard FTR load? These were both 5 shot groups at 100.

The 1st one is around .370" center to center.

The 2nd just a touch more. I honestly think the 2 shots on each that are separated from group was cheek placement on rifle.

Just curious on opinion. I changed bullet from one to the other.

IMG_45811_zps9pc0g3sv.jpg


IMG_45821_zpsuuabbeq7.jpg
 
Thanks for the reply.

Yes I have done those things in another rifle. Long story short: I have load that works very well in another FTR rifle. I wanted to use same load in different rifle.

I've spent a lot of time testing this load, finding node, neck tension etc. It's low ES and SD on a Magnetospeed. I basically took same load and changed seating depth for other rifle.

The velocity is about 50 FPS different between the rifles because of barrel length. However, according to JBM, I should be good on velocity at target.

I thought I would compare this "new" load to one that has shot very well out of this rifle but was more of a 600 yard load. That's what the two targets are above. Top one is a Berger 185 and below is SMK 175.
I wanted to use the Berger 185 instead of the SMK 175 at 1,000.
 

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