Long range load development at 100 yards.

[skiutah02]

Thanks for the reply.

That 178 A-Max group (from the link) is pretty dang impressive. Powder Valley has them in stock, so I may pick up 100 to add to the experimentation list.

I "only" have 24x scope so it was a little weird to see one hole getting bigger and bigger as I shot that string. Even when I walked up to the target, it was hard to believe.

I hope they work for you as well as for me. Try Winchester brass, Fed 210/210M primers with Varget and 0.015" jump as a starting point. I found that the extra case capacity of the Winchester brass allows a bit bigger powder charge to get them to 2760-70 fps without being overly hard on the brass. I personally do not like to run hot loads. I'd be curious to know if your rifle is also able to get these to shoot. Drew

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Ran out of the the 110 grain bullets I had been shooting in my 30 BR. 34.2 grains of Hogdon 4198 at 3140 ftp was the load. New bullet is 115 grain. I started
the test at 33.8 and went to 34.6. 34.6 was the velocity of the old bullet. No chance to test anymore before the next match. Which would you
load for the match?

 

[savageshooter86]

34 and 34.2 have low ES. But 34.2 to 34.6 all have almost exact poi. I personally would go 34.4gr for now until I could test more

 

[jsthntn247]

Ran out of the the 110 grain bullets I had been shooting in my 30 BR. 34.2 grains of IMR 4198 at 3140 ftp was the load. New bullet is 115 grain. I started
the test at 33.8 and went to 34.6. 34.6 was the velocity of the old bullet. No chance to test anymore before the next match. Which would you
load for the match?

Wow that gun is a hammer. Easy to find a load when one is consistent as that.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Geronimo Jim, I wish your test was broader as your first and last groups are the best. These were shot at 100 yards, what distance is your match at? For score or group?

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Thanks a lot guys. The gun is used for groundhog matches. Trying to hit the 10 ring which is about 1 inch. We shoot at 200 - 300 and 400 yards.
My old load was 34.2 with the 110 bullet which gave me about 3140 fps. Match is Tuesday so I won't be able to test anymore.

Gun is a Bat B action with Kreiger barrel in a McMillan long range stock. Just put a Nightforce 2014 comp which I love.

Thanks again for any and all imput.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Erik
What would you recommend testing next?
Thanks

 

[Erik Cortina]

Erik
What would you recommend testing next?
Thanks

I would test on each side of 33.8 and on each side of 34.6 if pressure is not too high. If I had to pick one of the current loads, I would probably go with 33.8

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Since 33.8 looked like best load, decided to test at low end (somehow I didn't see Erick's post.) Strange....almost same velocity for 33.7 - 33. 9 and 34.1. I shoot at 200 - 300 - 400 for score.
While shooting the 33.7 load, I felt like I pulled one.

 

[Steve Blair]

The area just under full pressure where velocity and ES do not change is where I want my loads. They are more temperature tolerant and stable. My previous .300 WSM barrel showed a .8 grain range and was the best 1000 yard load I've had.

 

[savageshooter86]

33.7 to 34.1 seem velocity is very close and ES is close from 33.7 to 33.9

 

[Erik Cortina]

33.9 is what I would tune.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

33.9 is what I would tune.

Thanks. What would be the next step. Just changing seating? By how much? I am a rookie at this stuff.

 

[Erik Cortina]

33.9 is what I would tune.

Thanks. What would be the next step. Just changing seating? By how much? I am a rookie at this stuff.

Yes, adjust seating depth in .003" increments.

 

[ntxshooter]

Thoughts??
Info is on the target. I have a line 2" up from centers for reference. 64.3 is just under while 64.9 is right on. I'm thinking to test at 64.5 - .6 and adjust seating? No Chrony available ATM.

...sorry photo was deleted from photobucket...

 

[savageshooter86]

why so big of increments? Looks like maybe re-test from 64.0 to 65.3gr in 0.3gr increments

 

[ntxshooter]

why so big of increments? Looks like maybe re-test from 64.0 to 65.3gr in 0.3gr increments

Went with 1% increases in charge weight...considering OP suggests .5 grain increases, this isn't far off

 

[jdboy]

Ok this thread has been very informative. I was one of the ones that would always go by the best group shot and then retest using the same weight +/- .2 grains. If the results were favorable I'd then tune for OAL. Now with this new method I want to make sure I'm choosing the right load to begin with as I'm now looking to stretch the rifles legs out more than before. I'll post up with each target and you guys tell me if I'm looking at it right if you don't mind. My problem is though it seems I set 2 constant groups then but never a 3rd like most the targets I've looked at on this thread. I'm shooting a 22" Krieger barrel 1-11 twist with an AAC muzzle break. The barrel has approximately 900 rounds through it. I may actually need to reshoot most of the test as the mirage was horrible for some reason yesterday.

The 168hr Hornady BTHP I think my node would be the 43 and 43.5 grain loads. According to my data book I called the pulled shot on the 43.5gr load. The 7th group I just adjusted right .4mil.

The 175gr Bergers I think my node would be the 44.5 and 45 grain loads? The first group fired I adjusted up 1mil and shot the next 5 groups.

The 167gr Lapuas I would think the 43 and 43.5gr loads would be my node? The 7th group I just adjusted right .4mil.

I may actually push a little harder on the 168gr Hornady pills as I was showing no pressure signs and the 46gr group looked pretty good. I showed no pressure signs with any of the loads shot yesterday at all.

 

[6BRinNZ]

You are reading the POI correctly - but there is one point to be made. If the groups are terrible you don't have a node. For instance the 168 Hornady is unlikely to work using the powder charges you have selected - the groups look bad. If I was forced to use those components I would look to repeat 44.1 - 44.5, maybe go wider with smaller increments in between.

 

[jdboy]

You are reading the POI correctly - but there is one point to be made. If the groups are terrible you don't have a node. For instance the 168 Hornady is unlikely to work using the powder charges you have selected - the groups look bad. If I was forced to use those components I would look to repeat 44.1 - 44.5, maybe go wider with smaller increments in between.

Thanks for the reply, and I agree the Hornady loads look especially bad. I'm not stuck with any bullet per se. I have a working load with 178gr Amax bullets but I had picked up a couple boxes of various popular bullets while they were in stock. I had been reading this thread and decided to give the loading method a try. My rifle has never liked the 168gr Amax bullet and it seems to prefer the 168gr BTHP even less. I have just enough Varget to feel comfortable burning some to test new loads. I've used the 178gr Amax load for some time now as supplies had been so thin I didn't want to waste powder on trying anything new.