Long range load development at 100 yards.

[Quickoz]

I did a similar test with my 223 with 55gr bullets (not match grade) and ended up with a 0.4gr window from 25gr - 25.4gr.

I will be trying this load dev method with my 6x47L and see how I go. I usually do my vertical testing at 300m in my comp rifles so will try at 100yds and see how we go.

Erik,

Do you find that you can find a good shooting load with pretty much every bullet you test? I've found that with my 308 with most match bullets. Hoping same with 6mm ones.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Yes, I have found every bullet I have tested to be accurate.

 

[Quickoz]

Erik,

Thanks for that. I should be testing some new ScenarL, Berger Hybrids, Copperheads and SMK within the next month. Ill post up my results.

 

[mattlewis]

Erik
What method do you use for adjusting seating depth when tuning a load ?
What distance are your bullets from the lands when you start load development ?

I usually find that jam -.020" shoots good with most bullets, so I start there.

For testing, I start at Jam -.010" and work away from there in .003" increments.

just so i am clear with the nomenclature, does jam = touching lands?

if so, jam -.020" means seated 20thou deeper than touching the lands?

if all that is correct, wouldn't it be possible to run into pressure when testing for seating depth (starting at jam -.010), since you tested for charge weight with the bullet seated .010 farther out of the lands?

sorry if i'm missing something, i just want to make sure i'm proceeding correctly.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Erik
What method do you use for adjusting seating depth when tuning a load ?
What distance are your bullets from the lands when you start load development ?

I usually find that jam -.020" shoots good with most bullets, so I start there.

For testing, I start at Jam -.010" and work away from there in .003" increments.

just so i am clear with the nomenclature, does jam = touching lands?

if so, jam -.020" means seated 20thou deeper than touching the lands?

if all that is correct, wouldn't it be possible to run into pressure when testing for seating depth (starting at jam -.010), since you tested for charge weight with the bullet seated .010 farther out of the lands?

sorry if i'm missing something, i just want to make sure i'm proceeding correctly.

Jam is the point where the bullet will not go into the lands any further. Lets call it 3.200"
Jam - .020 = 3.180"

 

[mattlewis]

Thank you!

 

[diego-ted]

I got out today to shoot a second round of load development. The rifle is a Savage F/TR 30" factory barrel, Hornady 178gr BTHP and Alliant Pro MR 2000 powder.

Here is Day one results with loads from 44-48 grs



Here is todays results, what do you make of it? It's all still a little confusing to me?



Thx Diego

 

[savageshooter86]

Ingesting to hear what Erik thinks. I would say 46.5 is your load, but then to me 47 appears to be scatter node?

 

[Erik Cortina]

47.5 looks good, but 47.8 scares me.
I would take 47.8 and play with seating depth, when you get it shooting, try the same seating depth on 47.0 amd 47.5 and see if theh shoot, if they do, go with 47.5 and you'll be done. I hope I made sense.

 

[savageshooter86]

Erik for my understanding, doesn't the second target show 47.5 low and 47.8 just above center line, and 48 even higher above center?

And on first target 47 hits lower than 47.5 and 48?

Just wanting an idea odd how to assess the data

 

[Erik Cortina]

Erik for my understanding, doesn't the second target show 47.5 low and 47.8 just above center line, and 48 even higher above center?

And on first target 47 hits lower than 47.5 and 48?

Just wanting an idea odd how to assess the data

Yes they do, but sometimes if things aren't just right, seating depth will make things clearer. That's why I suggested he change seating depth and try again. I should be clearer for good or bad after that.

 

[savageshooter86]

can you verify or have any experience with this question. It may help some who are viewing this thread. Will your rifle shoot well at a given base to ogive measurement across given charges? Say you work up a light load with seating depth test then you take the best seating depth you found with the light load and use that for your final development with higher weight charges?

 

[Erik Cortina]

can you verify or have any experience with this question. It may help some who are viewing this thread. Will your rifle shoot well at a given base to ogive measurement across given charges? Say you work up a light load with seating depth test then you take the best seating depth you found with the light load and use that for your final development with higher weight charges?

I have no experience with this, but I just don't think it would work that way since both seating depth and powder charge influence barrel vibrations. I always start at Jam - 0.020" and work from there. However, the way I measure might differ from the way you measure, so the final seating depth might be different from yours to mine.

 

[savageshooter86]

Ok. Just a curious mind thinking

I hope to have a way better understanding of things this go round of load testing. Just need to get my barrel back!!!!

 

[Erik Cortina]

Ok. Just a curious mind thinking

I hope to have a way better understanding of things this go round of load testing. Just need to get my barrel back!!!!

Where is your barrel?

 

[savageshooter86]

Looong story. Shilen has had it for 5 weeks now waiting to be inspected. After I was told it would be looked at 3 days after I sent it to them

 

[Erik Cortina]

Looong story. Shilen has had it for 5 weeks now waiting to be inspected. After I was told it would be looked at 3 days after I sent it to them

:-X

 

[scalian]

Target shot with 6br varget powder 28.8-30.6 what do you think?

Ignore the one circled and x out shot as it was accident.

 

[trailrider121]

scalian,
Please understand my guess would be 28.9, 29.1, and 29.4. Pick 29.1 grs. Wonder why 29.1 shot a little different. Lets see what Erik says.

Then again is looks like 30.0, 30.3,and 30.6 looks pretty good too. with 30.3gr as center.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Target shot with 6br varget powder 28.8-30.6 what do you think?

Ignore the one circled and x out shot as it was accident.

I would go with 29.1 and adjust seating depth. It should have shot better since the groups on each side of it are good.