Long range load development at 100 yards.

[Erik Cortina]

Yes it is written on the target but I now realize it's hard to seE that as well.
Gr avg fps. ES
33 3353. 25
33.5 3403. 26
34. 3454. 9
34.5 3490. 9
35. 3511. 37
35.5. 3553. 28
36. 3609. 19
36.5. 3648. 29
37. 3690. 10

Try 34.7 and adjust seating depth. Do it all over a chronograph to make sure the numbers hold.

 

[Hollywood]

Here is my attempt. .308 175smk varget. 43.5-44 showed the least vertical. Pulled the low shot on 44.5. Bottom right grouping is 12 shots over magneto speed 3 ea of 43, 43.5 and 6 of 44

43gr
2546
2424
2601

43.5gr
2574
2562
2559

44gr
2591
2614
2592

2579
2530
2582

Is my assesment correct?

Your input please Erik?

 

[MahtewsSB]

Yes it is written on the target but I now realize it's hard to seE that as well.
Gr avg fps. ES
33 3353. 25
33.5 3403. 26
34. 3454. 9
34.5 3490. 9
35. 3511. 37
35.5. 3553. 28
36. 3609. 19
36.5. 3648. 29
37. 3690. 10

Try 34.7 and adjust seating depth. Do it all over a chronograph to make sure the numbers hold.

Ok. I will report back. What was your reasoning for choosing 34.7? Was it because all the .5 gr steps increased by about 40 fps except between 34.5 and 35, which only increased by 20, so that indicates where the node most likely is?

 

[bill123]

Yes it is written on the target but I now realize it's hard to seE that as well.
Gr avg fps. ES
33 3353. 25
33.5 3403. 26
34. 3454. 9
34.5 3490. 9
35. 3511. 37
35.5. 3553. 28
36. 3609. 19
36.5. 3648. 29
37. 3690. 10

Try 34.7 and adjust seating depth. Do it all over a chronograph to make sure the numbers hold.

Eric, Could you explain that? I would have said try between 34 & 34.5 since they are in the same relative position and ES is low for both. Since 35 has opened up and moved left, it looks to me like anything above 34.5 is heading away from the node.

 

['Freak]

MathewsSB - Has the action been epoxy bedded to the stock so as torque is applied to the action screws there’s no conforming to one another and so zero induced stress?

 

[MahtewsSB]

MathewsSB - Has the action been epoxy bedded to the stock so as torque is applied to the action screws there’s no conforming to one another and so zero induced stress?

No, the action has not been bedded. It shoots sub 3/4 moa with factory hornady superformance so I never felt a need to bed it as I only use this gun for coyotes here in IL.

 

['Freak]

MathewsSB - Has the action been epoxy bedded to the stock so as torque is applied to the action screws there’s no conforming to one another and so zero induced stress?

No, the action has not been bedded. It shoots sub 3/4 moa with factory hornady superformance so I never felt a need to bed it as I only use this gun for coyotes here in IL.

I ask because 34.0 and 34.5 are two adjacent groups also having the least ES. There seems a pattern of two of three shots fairly close together and side by side all at near the same height. Both groups have a single shot out from the rest by near the same distance low and right as if some fairly repeatable inconsistency done put ‘em there, like maybe somewhat faulty bedding.

 

[MahtewsSB]

MathewsSB - Has the action been epoxy bedded to the stock so as torque is applied to the action screws there’s no conforming to one another and so zero induced stress?

No, the action has not been bedded. It shoots sub 3/4 moa with factory hornady superformance so I never felt a need to bed it as I only use this gun for coyotes here in IL.

I ask because 34.0 and 34.5 are two adjacent groups also having the least ES. There seems a pattern of two of three shots fairly close together and side by side all at near the same height. Both groups have a single shot out from the rest by near the same distance low and right as if some fairly repeatable inconsistency done put ‘em there, like maybe somewhat faulty bedding.

I noticed that as well. I was curious as to what was causing it as well but I just assumed it would be cured by seating depth testing.

 

[Hollywood]

What is the reccomended increment for the seating depth part of this method?

Thanks

 

[MahtewsSB]

What is the reccomended increment for the seating depth part of this method?

Thanks

.003"

 

[Erik Cortina]

Here is my attempt. .308 175smk varget. 43.5-44 showed the least vertical. Pulled the low shot on 44.5. Bottom right grouping is 12 shots over magneto speed 3 ea of 43, 43.5 and 6 of 44

43gr
2546
2424
2601

43.5gr
2574
2562
2559

44gr
2591
2614
2592

2579
2530
2582

Is my assesment correct?

Your input please Erik?

I would load between 43.5 and 44.0 Try 43.7 gr. for now and hopefully groups with tighten up with seating depth, at which point you can do the powder charge test in .1 gr. increments.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Yes it is written on the target but I now realize it's hard to seE that as well.
Gr avg fps. ES
33 3353. 25
33.5 3403. 26
34. 3454. 9
34.5 3490. 9
35. 3511. 37
35.5. 3553. 28
36. 3609. 19
36.5. 3648. 29
37. 3690. 10

Try 34.7 and adjust seating depth. Do it all over a chronograph to make sure the numbers hold.

Ok. I will report back. What was your reasoning for choosing 34.7? Was it because all the .5 gr steps increased by about 40 fps except between 34.5 and 35, which only increased by 20, so that indicates where the node most likely is?

I made a mistake, you should test 34.3

That plus your ES was the tightest there (34 & 34.5 gr.)

 

[Erik Cortina]

Yes it is written on the target but I now realize it's hard to seE that as well.
Gr avg fps. ES
33 3353. 25
33.5 3403. 26
34. 3454. 9
34.5 3490. 9
35. 3511. 37
35.5. 3553. 28
36. 3609. 19
36.5. 3648. 29
37. 3690. 10

Try 34.7 and adjust seating depth. Do it all over a chronograph to make sure the numbers hold.

Eric, Could you explain that? I would have said try between 34 & 34.5 since they are in the same relative position and ES is low for both. Since 35 has opened up and moved left, it looks to me like anything above 34.5 is heading away from the node.

You are correct, since the charges are not written on the target I missed one.

MathewSB, try 34.3 instead of 34.7. Sorry.

Good catch Bill123. I probably had a few of you confused! ;D

 

[MahtewsSB]

Ok I have a question for anybody that can answer it regarding this method. I just finished the seating depth portion of the testing and had some unexpected and strange results. The groups that were .005"-.014" off the lands were all over the place some were almost 2 moa. Then from .017"-.041" would print 2 within 3/8" but then there was a singLe flier in ever one of the groups. What would cause this?

 

[BradY]

Have found the same recently with a 6BR. My problem I believe was my recoil lug was bottoming out on the bedding and the front of the action wasnt up against the glass and pillar. You said your rifle wasnt bedded- get it done!

 

['Freak]

Ok I have a question for anybody that can answer it regarding this method. I just finished the seating depth portion of the testing and had some unexpected and strange results. The groups that were .005"-.014" off the lands were all over the place some were almost 2 moa. Then from .017"-.041" would print 2 within 3/8" but then there was a singLe flier in ever one of the groups. What would cause this?

http://erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/c41_p1.html
Check out his show and tell on bedding in No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, under Ernie’s “Gunsmithing Odds and Ends”.

 

[MahtewsSB]

Have found the same recently with a 6BR. My problem I believe was my recoil lug was bottoming out on the bedding and the front of the action wasnt up against the glass and pillar. You said your rifle wasnt bedded- get it done!

This was with a different rifle than was used in my most recent post. It is a 25-06 of a friend's. Although it is not bedded either. I will suggest it to him

 

[QwikSticks]

Spent last week reading this entire thread - GREAT INFORMATION

Decided to try my own test on a new rifle i am trying to develop a load for. This is the first time i have ever reloaded so any help on deciphering my results is appreciated. I do have a Chrono but its a magnetospeed so I chose not to use it for this test. My goal is to get this gun accurate to 1000 yds

Rifle is a Remington 700 Long Range 300WM
Norma Brass, Federal 215 primer, Berger 230 OTM, H1000
All loads set .01 off the lands

Loads are as follows
1. 68.9 gr
2. 69.4 gr
3. 69.9 gr
4. 70.4 gr
5. 79.9 gr
6. 71.4 gr
7. 71.9 gr
8. 72.4 gr
8. 72.9 gr max load per Berger book

 

[Hollywood]

Spent last week reading this entire thread - GREAT INFORMATION

Decided to try my own test on a new rifle i am trying to develop a load for. This is the first time i have ever reloaded so any help on deciphering my results is appreciated. I do have a Chrono but its a magnetospeed so I chose not to use it for this test.

Rifle is a Remington 700 Long Range 300WM
Norma Brass, Federal 215 primer, Berger 230 OTM, H1000
All loads set .01 off the lands

Loads are as follows
1. 68.9 gr
2. 69.4 gr
3. 69.9 gr
4. 70.4 gr
5. 79.9 gr
6. 71.4 gr
7. 71.9 gr
8. 72.4 gr
8. 72.9 gr max load per Berger book

That Vizio tv must have taken it hard :'(

 

[Hollywood]

I'd say between #4 and #5 and start seating depth Chrono #4,5 loads. And post results. Let one of the experts chime in first to see what they say.