Long range load development at 100 yards.

[doctordoctor]

Okay just need some clarification on starting seating depth.

It is my understanding that to safely work up any reload it is best to start. 010" jammed. Reason being this will be relatively the max seating depth and therefore be the highest pressure state. You then work down from here as far as seating depth goes once you find your max powder charge.

So should I start . 010" jammed conduct my test finding my ideal powder charge?

I have read else where to just start at COL. Since the goldstandard FGMM is not jammed anyways and it's results speak for themselves, thus the benefits of "jamming" are largely overstated.

I could see the advantage of starting jammed is finding max pressure load.

Anyone have their 2 cents?

Fyi: factory stock Remington 700 xcr long range tactical 26" barrel. I know these are notorious for having long throats so maybe starting jammed is not even feasible. Can't recall what my OAL is right now, I plan on remeasuring soon. Thanks guys

 

[Erik Cortina]

I don't do any testing with bullet jammed because I would never want to end up with a load with jammed bullets due to the risk of getting a bullet stuck. So, if I will not want to end up with jammed bullets, it's a waste of time and components to do any testing at that seating depth.

I do my powder charge tests at .020" away from jam.

 

[loudandproud]

Little input would be great...

Savage 10 FCP
.308 Winchester
180 Grain Sierra Gameking
40-44 grains of Varget
9-1/2 Primers

Im leaning towards 43.0 or 43.5grain.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Here are the load development results for my .300 Dasher XL using Lapua 220 gr. Scenar L bullets and VV N165 powder. Primers used were CCI BR-2



Powder Charge testing.
I settled on 71.5 gr. N165 as my powder charge due to it's low ES and being in the middle of a node between 71.0 and 72.0.





Seating depth testing.
I settled on 2.399" as my seating depth because it's between 2.400" and 2.397" which shot best. They also had the lowest ES of all the groups (under 10 ES).
The reason I settled on 2.399" is because it gives me .001" room for error and it will allow the throat to wear .002" and still be in the node.





1,000 yard score.
We only shot one string because the match was called due to extremely high winds. When I shot the winds were not terrible, they were about 8-12 MPH and a switchy. Throughout my entire string I had to move around about 1.25" MOA on my hold but overall it was not too hard to read that string. Shot #17 was a "corner" 9 at about 7:30. It was still inside the 10 ring vertical but a little low and a little left.



I hope this sheds some light on some of you on how the testing works. It's pretty simple and best of all, it works!

 

[Raythemanroe]

Is it okay to use this load work up method with unfired brass?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Is it okay to use this load work up method with unfired brass?

Yes, but double check results after fireforming.

 

[broncman]

300 Dasher XL.... ??? Details ?

 

[savageshooter86]

Erik thanks for the target and the explanation of why you picked them. Will help others using this method. Great shooting

Just curious, 2.425 and 2.422 hit same POI, where 2.400 and 2.397 didn't. Was more emphasis put on the chrony numbers?

 

[johnnyi]

Here are the load development results for my .300 Dasher XL using Lapua 220 gr. Scenar L bullets and VV N165 powder. Primers used were CCI BR-2

any additional details on the .300 Dasher XL?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Here are the load development results for my .300 Dasher XL using Lapua 220 gr. Scenar L bullets and VV N165 powder. Primers used were CCI BR-2

any additional details on the .300 Dasher XL?

I don't want to hijack the thread, but it's a .300 WSM with shoulder pushed forward about .030", decreased body taper by .002", and 40° shoulder.

 

[brian427cobra]

I was a slightly skeptical on the .003 seating depth thing, my new 6.5 Creedmoor Rock 8 twist with only 15 rounds down it was my test case, I loaded up 35 rounds, all had the same charge(to the kernel from my Gen2) of 42grns of H4350, 140 Amax, CCi primers, and Virgin cases, I identified 2 different seating depths that measured .338 and .401 at 100 yards, now I'm going to finish fire forming my cases, neck turn them, and begin EC load development procedure, thank you.

 

[doctordoctor]

So I have decided to work up some loads for my Rem. 700 XCR long Range Tactical .308, 26” bbl, 1:12”. My OAL for this particular rifle is (using a comparator) 2.360” The previous load I developed and have been using is 175 SMK’s in Winchester or FGMM brass loaded with 44.7 gr. Varget CCI BR2 primers seated at 2.290” (comparator). My loads are long, so are single fed only which I’m not too excited about.
Anyhow, I just got my very first 100 pieces of new Lapua brass. I wanted to work up some loads with different powders because I can’t always find Varget. So I wanted to get my ducks in a row before I do this. Your help is appreciated. I really mean that. It is!!!
Here’s my process I have planned out after some research:
1) Run the new brass through my new Sinclair expander II die.
2) Neck size my brass with my Redding Type S Neck sizing die (I know not a FL die)
3) Prime them with my remaining CCI BR-2’s
4) Fill em up with some powder:
Powder I am testing in .5 grain increments are:
BLC-2: 42 up to 45 gr.
Varget: 42 up to 45 gr.
4064: 42 up to 45 gr.
Reloader 15: 41 up to 44 gr.
And in the near future when I get more Lapua brass I will test XBR 40-42 grains and if I can find it H4589. Or should I try IMR 4589 over the H4589???
5) Seat my 175 SMK’s with my Redding Competition seater die at 2.800” COL
6) Shoot my OCW test at 100 yards VIGENTLY watching for pressure signs as well as recording my Muzzle Velocity with my chrono.
7) Post and and analyze my handiwork looking for my Optimal powder charge or “node”
8) Play with the seating depths by .003” increments until I find my optimal charge and seating depth.
9) Test my magic load out..
10) Live happily ever after.
I am new to Lapua brass so do my min and max powder charges look about right? I looked up min-max on at the least 4 references. My ultimate goal is really to shoot out to a measly 1000k and so forth when the opportunity arises.
THANKS!
Dr. B

 

[Erik Cortina]

DrDr, sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you but it's a good plan. Keep us posted.

 

[Immike]

I loved step #10. LMAO happy ending!!

 

[savageshooter86]

Seating depth test for 308 Savage FTR 155 Sierra and 8208 XBR. Kvb7 Lapua brass



Sure looks like -15 to -20 is where I need to be. 0.241" and 0.281" respectively back to back.

Agree?

Thanks for all the help Erik and other top shooters on the forum

 

[missed]

Thanks Erik!

 

[trailrider121]

Has anyone here tested their load at longer ranges using Erik's method? Just curious if its worked out from some. I have done 100 yard load development and 50% it works out for long range.I'm sure I could have messed up somewhere giving false feedback.

I plan to do a seating depth test in .003" increments from jam-.010" to -.030", but just not sure if 100 yards is enough to evaluate seating depth pattern. I could be wrong. Would 200 yards be better?

 

[brian427cobra]

I have identified my charge today, next week seating depth, and a little 500 yard golf ball action.

 

[johnnyi]

Has anyone here tested their load at longer ranges using Erik's method? Just curious if its worked out from some. I have done 100 yard load development and 50% it works out for long range.I'm sure I could have messed up somewhere giving false feedback.

I plan to do a seating depth test in .003" increments from jam-.010" to -.030", but just not sure if 100 yards is enough to evaluate seating depth pattern. I could be wrong. Would 200 yards be better?

Yes! Super pleased with the results... Shot a few groups at 600 only 3 shot groups but it's really nice! These are also the first I have ever shot 600 yards with any rifle...

Such a great thread lots of good info..! Can't thank Erik enough.. I feel like I saved lots of time and components following this process.

 

[trailrider121]

Johnnyi,

Now that's what I wanted to see. Awesome results!