Is 0.100 jump to lands realistic?

[Regis G]

I'm trying to find the best load for my Savage 10FLCP in .243. It has 1:9.25 twist. I loaded the same bullet (95gr matchking) with same powder (41.8gr I-4350) then seated 4 rounds at 5 different seating depths. I backed off lands by .005, 0.020, 0.060, 0.100, & 0.130 (measured at ogee).

At 200 yards I got a vertical spread from 0.59" - 2 1/4" . The .59" was 0.100 jump to the lands. That seems like a very long jump to me, but, I'm pretty new at precision loading. I would like to get the process down before I invest in new barrel or build a gun.

Ogee to lands on my gun is 3.279 and that small spread was at 3.179.

If this does seem reasonable, I'll move on with powder changes. If that is unrealistic jump, I'll start over.

Appreciate any tips or advice here.
Regis

 

[rardoin]

Not unrealistic. Shoot what consistently shows up best on paper. Some bullets tolerate more jump than others. The MK's are not necessarily one of those designed as such but whatever works...works. I say roll with it.

 

[savagedasher]

Not unrealistic. Shoot what consistently shows up best on paper. Some bullets tolerate more jump than others. The MK's are not necessarily one of those designed as such but whatever works...works. I say roll with it.

With a weatherby that is common Larry

 

[Tim s]

Why do you assume that's a big jump ? You have some benchrest guys using twice that with some bullets.

 

[Regis G]

Why do you assume that's a big jump ? You have some benchrest guys using twice that with some bullets.

I didn't realize that. I've just been hearing folks that are "in" the lands or .010 or .020 out.
Thank you very much,
Regis

 

[byrddog]

I agree with rardoin, if it works shoot it. I have shot .120" of jump out of a 308 with 155 bergers and it shot lights out. I loaded them that way so I could put them in the magazine. It was model 660 and wish I never got rid of it. Do what your gun tells you it likes. A lot of these numbers are what worked in someone elses rifle with all different components than what you are shooting. A lot of old shooters I know say if it won't shoot in or close to the lands then do a .040, .080 and .120 test and you will find something that it likes. Use others information as a starting point and basic knowledge but don't get caught in always doing what someone else says worked for them, find out for yourself.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Not unrealistic at all. One of the most accurate loads I ever developed in a rifle had a jump well over .100"...and I was using Berger VLDs. Which as you know, everyone 'says' to jam or seat no further than .010" off the lands.

One hole groups at 100 yards. Best group was .133" center to center. Other groups hovered between .160" and .180". The rifle always stuck them in the same hole when conditions were good. It was one of those rare loads in a great rifle where if they didn't end up in the same hole, you knew damn well it was your own fault for pulling the shot.

 

[NC308]

I had a Remington 308 that shot the best at sammi length of 2.800" with 175 smk. It turned out being .160 jump! Long throat in these factory rifles!

 

[jim_k]

All that is true. I've shot a group in the 0.2's jumping Berger 6.5 VLD 0.25" but if you are not confident, go ahead and jam them 0.007" and see if that gives good results. I like very loose necks when jamming, so you run the risk of pulling the bullet out if you have to unload. It just depends on what your shooting discipline may require.

 

[1lnbrdg]

I just finished working up a load for 190gr Noslers in my .308, jumping .140" to get them to shoot decently. The Nosler 168gr had to jump .120" before they settled down.

 

[Fotheringill]

Now, do the same tests at .08, .09, .1, .11 and .12 and pick the best. That will be your seating depth for that bullet in that gun.

 

[Tim s]

I didn't realize that. I've just been hearing folks that are "in" the lands or .010 or .020 out.
Thank you very much,
Regis

Hell yeah. In my two primary BR guns with Kreiger and Bartlein barrels and different bullets, I have by jumping them between .007" & .010" for quite a while.

 

[284winner]

Not sure about your savage but my rem 700 in 243 has a long freebore as does the 308. It's not picky on loads. I shoot 95 vlds into or very close to the lands. I've also jumped them .050 and had great results. Same with my 308. I shoot 185 vlds into the lands and get .5 all day long. The 168 MK off the lands about .030 shoot identical and at 2.800 shot equally well. You'll find that your 243 shoots good both ways as well. Although I've never jumped them .0100, I believe they'd do well just the same. Factory barrels don't seem to be as picky on Remington's for some reason. You may not get .1- .2s but .5 is realistic with alot of loads.

 

[Down South]

My hunting load is jumping .140 with Berger 168 VLDs in a 22 inch barrel .308

 

[Patch700]

If i were in your situation I would consider going up on the powder charge if it's safe to do so.. sometimes when the verticle shrinks with a deeper bullet seating it is telling you that it is liking the increased pressure (this is assuming you are already not touching the lands of course)
What you may find is if you go back to a length where the bullet is still off the lands but yet closer than the.100" that you previously had great results with , and upped the charge by .5grn (if safe to do so) and revisit your seating depths again you may be pleasantly surprised.

Not to say that being that far off the lands is a bad thing because obviously the targets dont lie... but bieng that you seen an improvment in your verticle and not horizontal with your seating depth test I would go back and test further..

Good luck , let us know how yoy you make out.

 

[Regis G]

If i were in your situation I would consider going up on the powder charge if it's safe to do so.. sometimes when the verticle shrinks with a deeper bullet seating it is telling you that it is liking the increased pressure (this is assuming you are already not touching the lands of course)
What you may find is if you go back to a length where the bullet is still off the lands but yet closer than the.100" that you previously had great results with , and upped the charge by .5grn (if safe to do so) and revisit your seating depths again you may be pleasantly surprised.

Not to say that being that far off the lands is a bad thing because obviously the targets dont lie... but bieng that you seen an improvment in your verticle and not horizontal with your seating depth test I would go back and test further..

Good luck , let us know how yoy you make out.

Patch700, that makes sense to me. I will work up some loads for the next time I'm out. That probably will not be this week though. I will reply with results.
Thanks,
Regis

 

[fm1947]

You said you used 41.8 of 4350 , I'm going to assume you did some testing of a range of powders before deciding 41.8 gave the best results, correct ??

 

[Regis G]

You said you used 41.8 of 4350 , I'm going to assume you did some testing of a range of powders before deciding 41.8 gave the best results, correct ??

I did do some earlier testing with too many variables. So, I decided to first determine seating depth that my gun liked. Now, I'll go through some more load development keeping seating depth the same.
I do understand that when I find best powder, I may have to tweak the jump again.
Thanks,
Regis

 

[fm1947]

Normally, most people start by finding what powder amount works best then deal with seating depth, either by a ladder test or 3 or 5 rounds in .3gr increments you will have for more of a change in powder amount then you will in depth IMO