Flyers and inconsistencies in first reloads

[rlandrum]

I'm still fairly new to reloading. I've recently acquired a 6mm BR competition rifle, and I'm working on loads. I started with the basics... Lapua brass, BR4 primers, and 30 grains of Varget. I then loaded some 107 grain Nosler VLDs, 90 grain Sierra BTs, 87 grain Berger BTs, and some 80 grain Nosler Varmints.

I did this by calculating COAL using a Sinclair headspace gauge for each of these. The original owner of my rifle suggested .005 in the lands, so that's where I started.

Of all the various bullets, the 87 grain Bergers were the most consistent, with only 1 flyer per 5 shot group at 200 yards. What's the best way to track down these flyers and eliminate them? More powder? Deeper or shallower in the lands?

 

[markr]

Are you using wind flags?

 

[steve4102]

I think you have some of your bullets mixed up. Did you mean, 107gr Nosler Custom Comp, Berger 87gr VLD?

Are you saying you loaded all of these bullets with 30gr of Varget? If so that is the wrong approach. With each bullet selection you should start low and work up the powder charge. This is not only to find an accurate charge, but for safety. Your 30gr of Varget is over Max according to Hodgdon with the 107 gr and at max for the 90 and 87gr. Never start at Max.

 

[TheSnake]

In addition to the above questions and suggestions, I see from your other posts you were looking for a good front rest, what did you end up getting?

Your vertical is not as bad as the horizontal so I would be looking at wind, equiptment or technique first.

 

[rlandrum]

I am a little mixed up in the names of the bullets. My best performers where these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/775854/berger-hunting-bullets-243-caliber-6mm-243-diameter-87-grain-vld-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-100

There was almost no wind. There was a slight tail wind, going from right to left, counter to my two distinct flyers. I was using tall grass as a wind indicator. Mirage lines were vertical.

As for my loads, I began here:

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmbr/

"Or we could tell you simply take a new Lapua 6BR case, add a CCI 450 primer, drop in 30 grains of Varget, top it with a Fowler 80gr FB bullet at the lands, and shoot it."

As for this being the wrong approach, I wanted to identify the best 100-200 yard bullet (since that's what I'm limited to). The table above lists 107gr Sierras at 30.0 Varget (I know, not my Noslers), so I felt I was within a safe margin to just load them all the same.

My front rest was the Sinclair competition rest.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

.....I wanted to identify the best 100-200 yard bullet (since that's what I'm limited to)...

Can I suggest that you slow down and work up a load for one bullet at a time. Once you are happy with one, try working up a load for another one. If it doesn't work out, try another powder.

In my limited experience, a good load results from the happy collision of a number of factors:

Your rifle and scope
Your brass preparation
Your reloading technique
Your choice of brass and bullet
Your choice of powder and primer
Your load testing method

Good luck. JCS

 

[LHSmith]

IMHO without wind flags, you're wasting ammo. If you never used a set (3-4 for 100 yds) , (6 for 200) you will be amazed how much activity is going on throughout the path of the bullet. If you practice often enough you will find a no wind condition is actually a poor one to shoot in.
For what your trying to do, condition reading by watching grass will be non productive.

 

[steve4102]

"Or we could tell you simply take a new Lapua 6BR case, add a CCI 450 primer, drop in 30 grains of Varget, top it with a Fowler 80gr FB bullet at the lands, and shoot it."

As for this being the wrong approach, I wanted to identify the best 100-200 yard bullet (since that's what I'm limited to). The table above lists 107gr Sierras at 30.0 Varget (I know, not my Noslers), so I felt I was within a safe margin to just load them all the same.

You forgot to read the "Warning at the top of the "chart".
Says this!

WARNING: With all loads, ALWAYS START 10% LOW and work up incrementally.

Starting at the Max load can get you into trouble and you may also miss that accuracy sweet spot. It's also a good idea to verify all load data with at least one other source, two or three even better.