130 RDF Seating Depth Test Questions

[Matt Pridachuk]

I have a batch (non-blem same lot) Nosler 130RDF's that I am working up a load for. I am heading to the range tomorrow for the 10-round powder charge test, and when I get back I will load a set for the seating depth test. I am running a 6.5x47 Lapua with IMR 4451. 26" barrel, 1 in 8 Twist.


I have read with the RDF's some people get good results right on the lands, and other get better results at about .030 off the lands.


So the Question is:


How many rounds at each depth is a good indicator that you are honing in on the best depth? 3-5-7?


What incremental jumps in depth should I be making at each depth? .005, .010, .015?


Thanks, don't want to burn out a barrel just finding what the best load is.


Thanks,

 

[Lone Hunter]

I generally do the seating depth first then adjust the charge next. Look down below at similar threads on this.

 

[spife7980]

I would shoot a 5 shot group from .010 off the lands to .060 off the lands in .010 increments.

 

[L W P]

I wish you luck with the 130gr RDF's because I tried my best to make the 140gr RDF's work in my 6.5 Creedmoor. When I say my best I mean that testing was done from +.010" - -.140" and with a lot of different powder weights and three different primers. All testing was done with Lapua SR brass. I even tried moly coating and going back to retest in all configurations of loads. My friends that had tried them, and had no luck in making them shoot either, told me not to waist my Time, Money,Barrel Life, and Efforts on them. I should have listened to them. But again those where 140gr RDF's, maybe you'll have luck with the 130gr.

 

[Bc'z]

I wish you luck with the 130gr RDF's because I tried my best to make the 140gr RDF's work in my 6.5 Creedmoor. When I say my best I mean that testing was done from +.010" - -.140" and with a lot of different powder weights and three different primers. All testing was done with Lapua SR brass. I even tried moly coating and going back to retest in all configurations of loads. My friends that had tried them, and had no luck in making them shoot either, told me not to waist my Time, Money,Barrel Life, and Efforts on them. I should have listened to them. But again those where 140gr RDF's, maybe you'll have luck with the 130gr.

I had same problem with Nosler 130gr ABLR's
Figure they'll be fine for fire forming brass

 

[JimSC]

no luck here with 140 RDF or the 70 grain RDF. Get some 142 SMK's or Bergers and save your time and barrel life. On the other hand I get great results with the 140 Nosler CC's out to 800 yards but their BC's are not all that so I am weaning myself off of them before moving out to 1000.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Theyll be best they can be at .010-.015 in or .100-.130 out. Like i said that should be the best that they can be which i hope is better for you than they have been for everybody else i know.