Found tune, but which one

[NC/Br Shooter]

Originally, while doing seating depth testing, I had ran a ladder test at ten into lands. And seemed to have found a flat spot @ 29.9 to 30.4.
So I picked 30.2 load at 2880. This was my results two weeks ago, speed checked with my Caldwell chronograph. I only checked the speed of 30.2.
Shot those results at 100 yards. Real good groups. All in the .1s
Yesterday I wanted to explore the lower part of 29 to 30 grains of charge. And shoot the results at 300. And boy, I was surprised.
29 29.3 29.6 and 29.9
Basically,Iv never shot groups this good at 300.
So, I'm kinda asking, what do I test next.?
Take a look at the target. I'm thinking the seating depth is good. I figure if I where to load for a match at this point I would pick 29.2 Just splitting the difference between 29 and 29.3.

 

[Bc'z]

Nice shooting!!
I ran a tension/hold test last week in .001 increments.
.001 increase shrunk groups considerably, it could be worth looking into if you already haven't.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I'd re-test that 29.9 load. Based on the shape of the other groups, it's doing what I'd expect. That shot that's out high and right could be from several things but it's not wind if from a rh twist bbl. All in all, none are real bad but based on the other groups' shapes, I'd say that 29.9 is money unless it tosses one out like that repeatedly. What you have is an abbreviated test that I do with tuners. Not enough groups to tell the whole story with certainty but it looks promising to me there.

 

[EGBrown]

Originally, while doing seating depth testing, I had ran a ladder test at ten into lands. And seemed to have found a flat spot @ 29.9 to 30.4.
So I picked 30.2 load at 2880. This was my results two weeks ago, speed checked with my Caldwell chronograph. I only checked the speed of 30.2.
Shot those results at 100 yards. Real good groups. All in the .1s
Yesterday I wanted to explore the lower part of 29 to 30 grains of charge. And shoot the results at 300. And boy, I was surprised.
29 29.3 29.6 and 29.9
Basically,Iv never shot groups this good at 300.
So, I'm kinda asking, what do I test next.?
Take a look at the target. I'm thinking the seating depth is good. I figure if I where to load for a match at this point I would pick 29.2 Just splitting the difference between 29 and 29.3.

I would do a ladder test again between 28.5gr and 29.2
At 29.3 and above you were getting vertical and then splatter as load got hotter.

 

[6BRA]

What brass? At 32+ grains ,I'm approaching 2980fps...lapua. node with 3/10ths grain and 15 thousandths seating depth cushion. That seems to be a BR node..not a bra node. Just curious?

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

What brass? At 32+ grains ,I'm approaching 2980fps...lapua. node with 3/10ths grain and 15 thousandths seating depth cushion. That seems to be a BR node..not a bra node. Just curious?

I'm using Alpha brass. I'm sure I can find a higher node. I understand I'm in Br node mode.
I just never had a ride do this kind accuracy before at this distance. Not repeatably any how.
I'm going to be concentrating on this point blank distance for the next 3 months, becouse my local match is 100 indoor center-fire. My other rig for short range isn't touching this thing yet.

That one high shot ,I know was me. Was the last shot last night,bout couldn't see.

Most time when I shoot at this spot the wind is going pretty good.

May do 3 shot groups next , retest the 30.2
And the 29.2

When I retest the 29.2 make sure start at 28.6? Or 28.what?

 

[6BRA]

Alpha Brass is the limiter on this...

 

[JEFFPPC]

For starters what ever you pick needs to repeat before making it match worthy. Second as you increased powder you progressively introduced more and more vertical. I have a problem with trying to find a load at 300. It's called conditions. Just looking at what you show I would try a .1 or .2 less, or try to get to the next node. Then redo depth a thousands or two each way.

 

[CharlieNC]

What flat spot?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I see one shot out of an otherwise very good group at 29.9. We don't know why it's out but the other groups are telling us something as well, both size and shape as well as poi. We can also surmise that it's very unlikely that wind is the cause of a shot out that is diagonal high and right from the rest, from a rh twist bbl. But, the op did state that the one "high" shot was him and that he couldn't see well with it getting dark. With all that said, I can't imagine not re-visiting that load. Ultimately, they are each one 5 shot group each and only so much, good or bad, can be taken from single groups. I've stated my reasoning but the only way to know is to shoot more. When you re-test, I'd try to get as close as possible to the same conditions. I'd start at 29.6 and go to at least(barring pressure) 30.2 and in .3 grain increments using the same seating depth. Again, not much can be taken from single groups but cumulatively, I like what I see. I do agree that 300 is too far to get a good handle on conditions but it looks like a shooter to me, so far. Just not so much at the other charges, imo.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

What flat spot?

It's on another target.
Mentioned in first post.
Not pictured.
Does not have any relanvane here.

Was shot on similar paper with a horizontal line.
Was flat

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

I see one shot out of an otherwise very good group at 29.9. We don't know why it's out but the other groups are telling us something as well, both size and shape as well as poi. We can also surmise that it's very unlikely that wind is the cause of a shot out that is diagonal high and right from the rest, from a rh twist bbl. But, the op did state that the one "high" shot was him and that he couldn't see well with it getting dark. With all that said, I can't imagine not re-visiting that load. Ultimately, they are each one 5 shot group each and only so much, good or bad, can be taken from single groups. I've stated my reasoning but the only way to know is to shoot more. When you re-test, I'd try to get as close as possible to the same conditions. I'd start at 29.6 and go to at least(barring pressure) 30.2 and in .3 grain increments using the same seating depth. Again, not much can be taken from single groups but cumulatively, I like what I see. I do agree that 300 is too far to get a good handle on conditions but it looks like a shooter to me, so far. Just not so much at the other charges,

3 shot groups at 200 yards?
In similar conditions, would that be better?
Or just do it at 100?

 

[JFrank]

For my program ( LRBR) 100 yards is way too close for charge testing a Br-A, I start at 300 and move to 500 with a flag about 150. I want to see the load coming in and going out of tune. I want to see where the rounds overlap before they shift and where I hit pressure. Pay equal attention to the low nodes as the high nodes and complete the load process before making assumptions.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

3 shot groups at 200 yards?
In similar conditions, would that be better?
Or just do it at 100?

I do my tuner tests at 100, because of wind. If doing it at 200, i'd stay with 5 shot groups but I think 100 is best. Wind is THE biggest factor and of course, it's not double from 100 to 200 but near 4 times the drift at 200. You can always go to longer range to verify tune and what you learn at 100. Any test where you can't trust every shot, skews the whole test, so why not minimize the most important variable? That's how I look at it. Your gun looks like it's a shooter but you should still be able to see the changes, even at 100. I'd stay with that seating depth for now and stay with .3 charge increments, if it were me.

 

[Clancy]

Seems pretty obvious to start at 29.6 and work up, to and through your other good load at 30.2.

The charges below that are climbing the target too much to make me feel warm and fuzzy.

I’m not saying “seems pretty obvious” to be smart…. I’m honestly scared I missed something and will look dumb, haha.

But if not, definitely the next move.

 

[JEFFPPC]

3 shot groups at 200 yards?
In similar conditions, would that be better?
Or just do it at 100?

I do load development at 100 yds with flags to ensure I am shooting in the same condition. After I have a load that will shoot back to back 4 shot group under .150 I then will see If I can improve it with the tuner at 200. My initial 2 shoot groups at 100 I want back to back repeatable in the zeros. Today I went to 200yds with my 6 BRX which just hit 1100 rounds, seems ok but wanted to see if I could touch it up a bit at 200 with the tunet. I shot six shots that all stayed inside a .5 circle , it just shot the middle out, did not touch the line. I stopped, that works. I will go back in an evening and if it repeats, at 1100 rounds I am competitive with that, I am good.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

I do load development at 100 yds with flags to ensure I am shooting in the same condition. After I have a load that will shoot back to back 4 shot group under .150 I then will see If I can improve it with the tuner at 200. My initial 2 shoot groups at 100 I want back to back repeatable in the zeros. Today I went to 200yds with my 6 BRX which just hit 1100 rounds, seems ok but wanted to see if I could touch it up a bit at 200 with the tunet. I shot six shots that all stayed inside a .5 circle , it just shot the middle out, did not touch the line. I stopped, that works. I will go back in an evening and if it repeats, at 1100 rounds I am competitive with that, I am good.

Thanks,
I had time last night and got surprised of course..
That what you said about repeatably 4 times.
I was thinking this, and this being the middle charge numbers for Bra, that this middle node zone would be more consistent for 100 yard competition.
Yay ,nay?

 

[JEFFPPC]

I don't do ladder tests. It's just not how I learned to tune. If you look at my history of prior post you will find my method. I have a process that works for me, I do not deviate from it. Other processes may and do work fine, I came up with one that works for me. I try to have minimal shots fired that are not in actual competition. I put more emphasis on bench manners and flags than constant retuning and group shooting over and over. Yes I like small groups but shooting hundreds of rounds after you have the accuracy you need for your game to me is a waste especially if it's a better than good barrel. I am not a technician, I am a compeitior or strive to be.