Keys to keeping ES down?

[Marksman]

I was wondering if anyone can give some thoughts on how to keep ES and SD down on handloads. It seems like the more consistent the SD is, the more accurate the load is, so maybe I'll try loading from this angle instead of the guess and check method. Thanks.

 

[mysticplayer]

I am not a big numbers man as the degree of accuracy I want to measure is higher then the error in my chronie. Holes in paper is how I judge a load. I try and test as far as I want the load to perform. The chronie just tells me if I am in dangerous territory.

So I have found some ways to reduce LR stringing which is ultimately what all this is trying to do.

First, use a clean burning powder. Fouling will do wonders at screwing up your results as many shots are fired. I have been shooting Hodgdon Extreme for years and recommend it. Try to clean only if needed - too clean is as bad as too dirty.

Second, work at the highest accurate pressure node for your barrel. I have yet to find a powder that didn't burn better at magnum pressures - cleaner and more consistent.

Third, load with the highest load density you can. I don't like to compress powder as this can crush powder kernels and have a neg affect on how it burns. My perfect load density is when the base of the bullet just pushes down on the powder charge - no cruching sound when bullet seating, but little/ no sound when you shake the case.

Fourth, use high neck tension. I shoot F class so don't want to jam bullets into the lands. With concentric necks and bullet, I find I don't have to either. I use a Lee collet neck die whenever possible and this die sizes with the typical 4 thou. Seems to work for me.

Fifth, test at 200yds or further. You cannot diagnose stringing at 100yds no matter what the chronie says.

Sixth, increase powder charges in very small increments even in magnum cartridges. I do not adjust seating depth to tune my load. Instead, I will adjust my powder charge as little as 1 tenth in 223 sized cases and 2 tenths even up to a RUM. At 200yds and further, you will see affects on target.

Seventh, use a match primer suited to the amount of powder burnt. Avoid a magnum primer unless necessary to ensure complete ignition. primers can have quite a dramatic affect on your stringing so test a few.

Eighth, volume match your cases. Don't just weigh them, check to ensure they have the same capacity. Annealing can pay dividends here if cases have been fired a bunch.

Ninth, use accurate bullets. Some bullets just don't fly well no matter what you do.

Tenth, use a rock solid rest/bench, consistent form, no bouncing during recoil. You have to be able to shoot sub MOA for your rifle to give you sub MOA groups. Good optics is a must.

By doing all this, I am able to keep my vertical spread under 1" at 300m in calm conditions. Have no idea how the chronie would see this load but I bet the numbers are good. Shoots great at 1000m too.

Jerry

 

[Winchester69]

Jerry,

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. I have made particular note of your comments concerning powder/cleaning/load density.

I have been prejudiced against the Lee collet die because of materials and wear problems. Will you share your experience with die life and your maintenance routine? I like the design of the collet die, but hesitate to get involved with it.

Thanks again.

 

[mysticplayer]

Have used ALOT of different collet dies for various cartridges and have not had any issues to date. The 260R die I use for my 6.5 Mystic has been used several thousand times with no cleaning, maintenance of any kind and it just keeps working perfectly.

Make sure that the inner die sleeve is free to move up and down. Make sure the top cap is on tight. Have the shellholder bottom on the die with the press handle about 2/3 down. This is a mechanical die so you need to be able to feel the die working. Firm pressure IS required - you will actually feel the brass size down then stop.

They do provide a great way to monitor work hardening of the necks. When the necks size irratically/inconsistenty from case to case despite proper pressure applied, time to anneal the batch.

The die can never oversize as the mandrel gets in the way. However, it can undersize if not enough pressure is applied,or necks are work hardened). I have a bullet which I use to check neck sizing periodically. I try and hand seat and it is obvious when the necks are sized properly or not enough,bullet goes into neck with hand pressure).

I love them because they are dead simple to use, never need adjustment, no case lubing. The fact that they are dirt cheap and make zero runout brass doesn't hurt either.

When seating bullets, you will find that the bullets are very smooth to enter the case and consistent in feel.

Jerry