Shot my first load development, results not great

[Shooterdevil]

I am new to reloading for precision rifle. The rifle is a ruger precision rifle in 6.5CM. I watched a bunch of ultimate reloader's videos on load development and followed it to the best as I could and my numbers weren't that good. Is there something I'm not taking into consideration that can lead to these results?

CCI400 SRP
Lapua new brass fully resized for consistency. Case length was very consistent at 1.91" within .0005" of each other
Neck measurements after FL size were super consistent and virtually all measured .2625"
Hornady 140gr ELD-M
H4350 charges from 39.9gr to 41.7gr in .2 increments (10 different charges). Five of each charge was loaded for a total of 50 rounds (5 in 39.9, 5 in 40.1...and so on). Charges were done meticulously with a beam scale down to the individual granule.
COAL: 2.82" (I know that is not the best measurement from base to tip but I did not take any ogive measurements for this batch, definitely next time)

Here were the results (I will spare the individual velocities, just the important numbers). Any thoughts or suggestions to check that I may have overlooked or haven't considered?

For clarification these readings were taken at an indoor range shooting into the backstop and not a target so I don't have grouping results.

Charge - Avg(fps) - SD
39.9 - 2565.2 - 9
40.1 - 2572.2 - 15
40.3 - 2595.4 - 15
40.5 - 2598.2 - 22
40.7 - 2619.0 - 11
40.9 - 2630.8 - 15
41.1 - 2629.6 - 10
41.3 - 2646.8 - 23
41.5 - 2679.6 - 18
41.7 - 2673.0 - 12

 

[Bill Norris]

This area looks promising to me. It's only 11 fps difference.
40.7 2619.0 11
40.9 2630.8 15
41.1 2629.6 10

 

[Kracken McGraw]

To heck with numbers, how did the groups look on the target.

 

[Shooterdevil]

This area looks promising to me. It's only 11 fps difference.
40.7 2619.0 11
40.9 2630.8 15
41.1 2629.6 10

I agree, but I'd like to get it down to sub 10

 

[6MMsteve]

need a good Barrel

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I agree, but I'd like to get it down to sub 10

Did you shoot any groups with each charge, just curious what your method was.

 

[Shooterdevil]

Barrel

Could you elaborate? By saying barrel do you mean theres not much on my end that I did or can do to tighten those numbers? Ultimatereloaders was able to get much better numbers using the same rifle in the same chamber.

 

[Shooterdevil]

Did you shoot any groups with each charge, just curious what your method was.

Sorry I was only focused on velocity today and this was shot at an indoor 25 yard range and my scope isnt zeroes yet so i focused on one thing.

 

[Hiredgun81]

I would definitely try a hotter primer. CCI 450 or Rem 7 1/2.

 

[Bill Norris]

Could you elaborate? By saying barrel do you mean theres not much on my end that I did or can do to tighten those numbers? Ultimatereloaders was able to get much better numbers using the same rifle in the same chamber.

The two rifles/barrels will produce entirely different numbers. You can't go by numbers another rifle and load produced.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Your last three charges are probably in line with factory loadings if that’s what your after.
Speed wise.

 

[6MMsteve]

he may have a RPR but with a Brux barrel or something else Talking bout Ultimate Reloader..you very rarely buy a rifle off the shelf and expect great results it takes money and good barrels n bullets etc...not to offend it's how I learned

 

[Bill Norris]

he may have a RPR but with a Brux barrel or something else Talking bout Ultimate Reloader..you very rarely buy a rifle off the shelf and expect great results it takes money and good barrels n bullets etc...not to offend it's how I learned

Yep, and Gavin uses top quality stuff with every gun he builds.

 

[Shooterdevil]

he may have a RPR but with a Brux barrel or something else Talking bout Ultimate Reloader..you very rarely buy a rifle off the shelf and expect great results it takes money and good barrels n bullets etc...not to offend it's how I learned

Makes sense. I have no problem with that if that is the case. I want to get the best results with the equipment I have, thats all.

 

[6MMsteve]

Makes sense. I have no problem with that if that is the case. I want to get the best results with the equipment I have, thats all.

you may have to try a variety of bullets, powder combos but it will be a valuable learning experience, but the key is to have fun and learn and your at a great place to learn from the best shooters they are here..Try some Eric Cortina Vids

 

[Clancy]

There are no awards for chronograph results, but a firing on the brass and a cci 450 will narrow this down.

Shoot several actual targets with a magnum primer in the 41 grain range, give or take some, using once fired brass. I think it’ll make a world of difference for you.

 

[chkunz]

I am not impressed with velocity SD so much as I am with group size. I would recommend focusing on group size first which means also working on bench rest technique, wind reading, etc. Pay attention to velocity while you are doing this but when you think you have the best group defined focus on velocity to see if you can improve on the group. The group size wins matches not velocity.

 

[Shooterdevil]

There are no awards for chronograph results, but a firing on the brass and a cci 450 will narrow this down.

Shoot several actual targets with a magnum primer in the 41 grain range, give or take some, using once fired brass. I think it’ll make a world of difference for you.

Now i just need to find some magnum primers, lol. appreciate the suggestion! What different would magnum primers make?

 

[Clancy]

Now i just need to find some magnum primers, lol. appreciate the suggestion!

Outdoor limited has just about every primer there is.

Save those 400s for something small. They are ok in 223 with fast burning powders, not great for large stuff or high pressure loads.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Now i just need to find some magnum primers, lol. appreciate the suggestion!

There pretty much everywhere on the network vendors now. Rem 7 1/2 and cci 450’s.