Long range load development at 100 yards.

[tonysnoo]

Looks like the came together pretty good. But if it was that windy, you may have to do it again to see results more clearly.

Were you adjusting seating depth in .003" increments?

Yes it's a little hard to see my notes in the pic, I went left to right. The first target was a fouling target to get rid of a few odd loaded rounds. I started on the second target at 10 jump with 4 rounds each till I finished the 40 jump with five rounds.
I'm going out today to test seating depth on the 44.5 node. Hopefully the results wont be so garbage looking.


Well today didn't fair as well. Just as windy(typical for Northern Nevada till late summer.) This time I didn't have anything close to the results of yesterday.....just plain ugly. I had rounds going places that I didn't even anticipate...just plain weird. I'm guessing the node wasn't the ticket and none of the seating depths were close except the starting Jump of .010. I wonder if this node(if it is a node) needs to have the bullet jammed?

Back to the original node to see if it is repeatable.

 

[MNFinn]

Erik,

Could you give me your thoughts on this test?

Specs:
308 win
Lapua brass
155 gr SMK
IMR 4895 powder

Top row: 43.2 gr, 43.6gr, 44.0gr
Bottom row: 44.8gr, 44.8gr, 45.2gr

I shot the top row, let the rifle cool for ten minutes and then shot the bottom row



I'm thinking, son e the powder charges were not too hot, I might want to try some higher charges, but wanted your opinion on these before making any decisions

 

[Erik Cortina]

The top row is where your node is. If you can load hotter safely, I would try to get to the next node.

 

[MNFinn]

The top row is where your node is. If you can load hotter safely, I would try to get to the next node.

Thanks.

There were zero pressure signs, it was a nice 63 degree day, I think I'll try the next 3 higher loads tomorrow, 45.6, 46.0 and 46.4, does that sound about right?

 

[Erik Cortina]

The top row is where your node is. If you can load hotter safely, I would try to get to the next node.

Thanks.

There were zero pressure signs, it was a nice 63 degree day, I think I'll try the next 3 higher loads tomorrow, 45.6, 46.0 and 46.4, does that sound about right?

I would go all the way to 48.0 or so and stop when you see pressure signs. I rather pull bullets than make another trip to the range.

 

[MNFinn]

I would go all the way to 48.0 or so and stop when you see pressure signs. I rather pull bullets than make another trip to the range.

Thanks. I'll set up a test

 

[diego-ted]

Eric, My turn, my turn, I went out and did some develpment with the newly worked Savage tube. 178 bthp hornady, Varget, lapua brass FGMM 210 primers. I am not sure what to make of it? Did I blow the test by shooting 4 shots? the 45gr test only has three, I used one for a sighter??

Thx Ted



I went with Eric's suggestion and ran seating depth tests with the 44.8 load. Incame up with a load that was a hair over half MOA at 100 yards. Well at 300 yards this load was terrible , probably 3 moa at best! I am not sure if I should scrap the load and start from scratch?

Ted

 

[savageshooter86]

do you have your seating depth target? Most likely if it was shooting 1/2 MOA at 100 and you took it to 300 and it shot 3 MOA or worse than it could be the shooter or scope rings could be loose or action screws loose? Also if you were not paying attention to the wind it could be another factor.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Diego-Ted, post some pictures of your 300 yard targets please.

 

[IllKeepMine]

Erik's analysis seems correct. Personally, I don't care for long range load development at any range less than 400 yds. to start. I prefer ladder testing at 600yds to find the best vertical dispersion. if you are going to shoot long range, then test your loads at long range. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[MNFinn]

Did a higher load test....now I am really confused

Loads were
top row: sighters, 45.2, 45.6, 46.0, 46.4,
bottom row 46.8, 47.2, 47.6, 48.0



All of the shots for the 48.0 group landed on the same target as the 46.4 group above it, and on each from the 47.2 and 47.6 groups landed on the targets above also

I had zero pressure signs that I could detect, it was 66-70 degrees while I was shooting. I shot 3 groups and then let the barrel cool for 10 minutes, for 3 sets of shots.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Erik Cortina]

Emn83, looks like 45.2 is the load. Adjust seating depth and fine tune it. The higher charges are too erratic.

 

[MNFinn]

Thanks. That's what I was thinking, but it's good to get some validation on that

 

[diego-ted]

Diego-Ted, post some pictures of your 300 yard targets please.

Erik, I did not take any pictures! I was so bummed out at the poor results I just tossed them out. I will re-test with the same load sometime this week and will post the results.

 

[diego-ted]

I went out today with a new load worked out. This is MR Pro 2000 powder, the same Hornady 178 BTHP, set 25K off the lands, Savage F/TR stock tube. What do you think should I take the load out to 48.5?

FYI disregard the bulls eye shot at 45gr not of this load.

thx Ted

 

[Erik Cortina]

DiegoTed, I would go up another grain if possible to identify node clearly. But I would at least go up to 48.5 as 47.5 and 48.0 look very good.

 

[diego-ted]

Erik will do, I didn't seem to seen any pressure at 48.

thx Ted

 

[scalian]

Would you still use .5 grain increments with a smaller case like a 6br? Or go to a smaller change when working up initial loads?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Would you still use .5 grain increments with a smaller case like a 6br? Or go to a smaller change when working up initial loads?

You can go down to .3 gr. increments but not less than that.

 

[Steve Blair]

Would you still use .5 grain increments with a smaller case like a 6br? Or go to a smaller change when working up initial loads?

You can go down to .3 gr. increments but not less than that.

[br]
A good rule of thumb is 1% increments.