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Long range load development at 100 yards.

Unfortunately we are not blessed with accessible ranges back home and I had to to compromise. The wind will blow, calm day's are rare. The target and development is what I have for now, based on Eric's method I am keen to learn the way forward?
 
Gday Everyone

Just did some load testing at 100yds with my Tikka T3x varmint 223 1:8 twist.
Shooting 80gr sierra matchkings and 2208 (Varget in USA)

Seated 0.010" off lands

Heres the results.
Chrony numbers are:

22.1 Avg 2553 ES 43

22.4 Avg 2581 ES 15

22.7 Avg 2647 ES 12

23 Avg 2671 ES 49

23.3 Avg 2707 ES 44

23.6 Avg 2747 ES 15

23.9 Avg 2787 ES 2420190614_172605.jpg
 
Last season my rifle was shooting very well, but this season, I have been having trouble. So decided to do a new load development. In the process of putting the loads together, I decided to do the development with three different conditions.

Condition 1 (Ref: 22-337-WIL), 0.337" Neck Bushing, 0.002" Neck Tension and an Inline bullet seating die
Condition 2 (Ref: 3-338-WIL), 0.338" Neck Bushing, 0.001" Neck Tension and an Inline bullet seating die
Condition 3 (Ref: 3-338-RED), 0.338" Neck Bushing, 0.001" Neck Tension and Redding Comp seating die

This is a .308 Win, 30" 1:10 twist Benchmark barrel, Berger 185gr Juggernauts, Varget Powder, Lapua Brass, CCI BR-2 Primers.

I think the desired node is in Condition 3, either the 42.5gr or 44.0gr. But would really like your help in confirming this.

Interesting how much the neck tension affected the consistency of rounds between Condition 1 & 2.

Thanks very much for the help.

Condition 1:
22-337-WIL.jpg

Condition 2:
3-338-WIL.jpg

Condition 3:
3-338-RED.jpg
 
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Last season my rifle was shooting very well, but this season, I have been having trouble. So decided to do a new load development. In the process of putting the loads together, I decided to do the development with three different conditions.

Condition 1 (Ref: 22-337-WIL), 0.337" Neck Bushing, 0.002" Neck Tension and an Inline bullet seating die
Condition 2 (Ref: 3-338-WIL), 0.338" Neck Bushing, 0.001" Neck Tension and an Inline bullet seating die
Condition 3 (Ref: 3-338-RED), 0.338" Neck Bushing, 0.001" Neck Tension and Redding Comp seating die

This is a .308 Win, 30" 1:10 twist Benchmark barrel, Berger 185gr Juggernauts, Varget Powder, Lapua Brass, CCI BR-2 Primers.

I think the desired node is in Condition 3, either the 42.5gr or 44.0gr. But would really like your help in confirming this.

Interesting how much the neck tension affected the consistency of rounds between Condition 1 & 2.

Thanks very much for the help.

Condition 1:
View attachment 1110987

Condition 2:
View attachment 1110988

Condition 3:
View attachment 1110989
From what I see, 42.5 is the upper edge of the node on all three targets. 42 grains and 42.5 grains group together on all three targets.

That is what I see anyway.
 
Last season my rifle was shooting very well, but this season, I have been having trouble. So decided to do a new load development. In the process of putting the loads together, I decided to do the development with three different conditions.

Condition 1 (Ref: 22-337-WIL), 0.337" Neck Bushing, 0.002" Neck Tension and an Inline bullet seating die
Condition 2 (Ref: 3-338-WIL), 0.338" Neck Bushing, 0.001" Neck Tension and an Inline bullet seating die
Condition 3 (Ref: 3-338-RED), 0.338" Neck Bushing, 0.001" Neck Tension and Redding Comp seating die

This is a .308 Win, 30" 1:10 twist Benchmark barrel, Berger 185gr Juggernauts, Varget Powder, Lapua Brass, CCI BR-2 Primers.

I think the desired node is in Condition 3, either the 42.5gr or 44.0gr. But would really like your help in confirming this.

Interesting how much the neck tension affected the consistency of rounds between Condition 1 & 2.

Thanks very much for the help.

Condition 1:
View attachment 1110987

Condition 2:
View attachment 1110988

Condition 3:
View attachment 1110989
I would say 44.2 is the middle of the node. Play with seating depth a couple of thousands either way. Watch temperature and load up or down accordingly. I think 2750-2760 FPS is where you were before and is where juggs tend to tune in.

Jim
 
I am interested in some info on Fullbore's test. Where would his accuracy node be ?
@Fullbore, looks like your testing is over a very large range of powder and speeds. I might suggest you look up a known powder, primer, bullet combo and tighten up the test range. You might have 3 different nodes within the 250 fps range you covered.?.? Also, if you have less than 200 rounds down the barrel you might not see great results with this test yet. Barrel needs to settle in.
 
@Fullbore, looks like your testing is over a very large range of powder and speeds. I might suggest you look up a known powder, primer, bullet combo and tighten up the test range. You might have 3 different nodes within the 250 fps range you covered.?.? Also, if you have less than 200 rounds down the barrel you might not see great results with this test yet. Barrel needs to settle in.

Thanks for the reply mate. I basically loaded up to what I felt was a MAX load in this rifle. at 23.9gr im getting flat primers and the bolt is starting to leave marks on the case head during extraction. Im about 98% sure the 23.6gr had a flier caused by me.

Ive had around 800 or so rounds through this barrel now.

Thanks for your time
 
Gday Everyone

Just did some load testing at 100yds with my Tikka T3x varmint 223 1:8 twist.
Shooting 80gr sierra matchkings and 2208 (Varget in USA)

Seated 0.010" off lands

Heres the results.
Chrony numbers are:

22.1 Avg 2553 ES 43

22.4 Avg 2581 ES 15

22.7 Avg 2647 ES 12

23 Avg 2671 ES 49

23.3 Avg 2707 ES 44

23.6 Avg 2747 ES 15

23.9 Avg 2787 ES 24View attachment 1110356
@rebs 23 grains.
 
Gday Again

I got myself a new 260 AI and these are the first lot of Load Development post fireforming.
Im running 142 Sierra MatchKings loaded 0.010 off lands , H4831SC (ADI 2213SC here in Aus), 260 Lapua Brass and 210M primers. Personally I feel I messed up 48gr group with a bad trigger press even before seeing the chrony numbers.

Velocitys are as follows
46gr 2762fps avg, 18 ES 9.6SD

46.5gr 2809fps avg, 10 ES 5.6SD

47gr 2819fps avg, 24 ES 13.2SD

47.5gr 2879fps avg, 40 ES 21.4SD

48gr 2906fps avg, 7 ES, 3.6SD

48.5gr 2935fps avg, 43 ES 21.9SD

260_AI_142_SMK[1].jpg
 
Agree. Note 47.0 might be near the low end of a node, as 47.5 has the same vertical displacement., but 46.5 is higher.
-
You are probably right, it would be much easier to tell if shooters organized thier OCW's like this:

254815-c616950134775d1ebccb4ba89093f87c.jpg
 
Agree. Note 47.0 might be near the low end of a node, as 47.5 has the same vertical displacement., but 46.5 is higher.
-

Cheers for the information guys, the more I look at it the more I'm thinking 47.5gr is the middle of the node. Ill load up 47.5gr and test seating depth from 10 thou off up to 25 thou off going up in .3's as Erik advised.

Meangreen thats a much better idea setting up the targets like you mentioned. I will do that in future tests.
 
I see your lower node around 46.5-46.7grs, and higher node 48.0-48.3. You have a good scatter node 46.0grs, and another another 47.5grs. The higher node share same POI.... My 2 cents...
 
I made my own. Here is the Excel file that I made it in. I took the file to a local printer and have them print them on thick paper, almost a card stock. Size is Tablet or 11x17. I have 20-40 done at a time. Keep them in the pouch behind the seat in my truck so they are always there.
 

Attachments

Would you guys mind having a look at this target for me?
Shot it today of an xbag at 110y so not the best setup but it gives me a good idea of whats going on.

Im lookig at 41.3gr and 41.6gr, maybe "spilt the diff" and load up some 41.5gr and play with seating?

Around 41.6 - 41.9gr N160 is where it shoots most 105gr bullets real nice.

If its not clear on the target its a 6 slr, 108gr Hornady ELDs, and VV N160.

Didnt measure speed but it should be around 3130-3170fps at 41.6gr.
 

Attachments

  • 20191210_142218.jpg
    20191210_142218.jpg
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