Long range load development at 100 yards.

[savageshooter86]

finally took the load I worked up at 100 and final tuned it/verified it at 200 yards. The group was shot off bipod with 308win

The group to the right was different seating depth

 

[lawrence97]

Did final testing before my match at 100 yards. I tested 54.8gn of H4831SC with bullets at a soft seat and also at -.012 " which were the two depths that gave the best results. My brass is on its second firing with less than .001 runout and I am running fed 210 primers. I was hoping for a lower ES. I know my powder charges are very consistent with my digital scale, primer pockets uniformed and brass length is equal amongst pieces as was the seating depth measured at the ogive. I also bump my shoulders .001 - .0015 each loading. Not sure what else to do to get into single digits other than weigh/sort my brass which I will do for my match. Any suggestions?
I know BR2 primers would help a tad but I haven't been able to locate any so I have eliminated that choice.....

I shot my loads at approximate match weather (103 F) and at a match pace with about 2 mins between rounds and 10 mins of rest between soft seat and -.012 testing.

Here is my chronograph data:
Series 14 Shots: 3
Min 2873 Max 2890
Avg 2882 S-D 8
ES 17
Series Shot Speed
Fouler 1 2873 ft/sec (((((OFF Paper due to 1000 yard zero))))))
Fouler 2 2890 ft/sec
Fouler 3 2883 ft/sec
---- ---- ---- ----
Series 15 Shots: 8
Min 2888 Max 2918
Avg 2904 S-D 10
ES 30

Series Shot Speed
Soft Seat 1 2900 ft/sec
Soft Seat 2 2888 ft/sec
Soft Seat 3 2905 ft/sec
Soft Seat 4 2905 ft/sec
Soft Seat 5 2895 ft/sec
Soft Seat 6 2910 ft/sec
Soft Seat 7 2917 ft/sec
Soft Seat 8 2918 ft/sec
---- ---- ---- ----
Series 16 Shots: 8
Min 2903 Max 2922
Avg 2914 S-D 7
ES 19

Series Shot Speed
.012 " 1 2903 ft/sec
.012 " 2 2903 ft/sec
.012 " 3 2915 ft/sec
.012 " 4 2915 ft/sec
.012 " 5 2922 ft/sec
.012 " 6 2917 ft/sec
.012 " 7 2920 ft/sec
.012 " 8 2918 ft/sec
---- ---- ---- ----

 

[Erik Cortina]

Lawrence97, I think you'll be ok. Your ES is a little high, but if you notice it gets higher as the string gets longer. I have seen this before and I think it's normal and you can definetly click your scope down during a record string if you notice you are climbing on target. Take load out to a match and have fun.

 

[lawrence97]

So based on groups and velocity, stick with -.012?

Thanks. Will let you know how it goes on game day!

 

[Erik Cortina]

I was hoping for some help 36.2 gr had over a bullet of vertical over 36.6. That was just 35' difference on the crony. 3030 to 3065 . Larry

They all look good. I would go with 36.4 gr and give yourself room for error on both sides of powder charge.

 

[avidflyer]

I usually load develop for the best group based on powder charge at 100, and fine tune from there. I’ve been reading this thread and it makes since. I’ve never understood how a group could be in the .1’s at 100 and open up so much at 500-600. Also the reverse, I’ve seen people claim ½ moa at 600 but 1-1.5 moa at 100. I guess I’ve always been lucky, on my F Open rifle, I did all the load work at 100, and never had to touch seating depth, I just took the best group at 100, and have been shooting high master with it ever since.. Recently I’ve been trying to get a new load dialed in for my 308 Fclass rifle. Powder is Varget, CCI BR primer, Lapua Brass with a 155 Scenar on top. This rifle has been a bear to get a load for. I went out today and shot two round robin groups to see where it is. I seated the rounds .015 off the lands, but I should note on the higher charges (compressed) the round did back out a couple thousands. So the high charges are seated around .012 from the lands. From what I understand, looking for the vertical, how would the 46.8 charge be? I’m both round robins it seemed to have the least vertical. Any input would be appreciated. THANKS…..

 

[barnesuser28]

I like 47.1 grains.

 

[savagedasher]

I shot 3 - 5 shot targets at 575 yd 1.912- 1.950-1.985 now I got to tune it better. Larry

 

[Erik Cortina]

My turn!

6.5 x 47 Lapua
31" Krieger 4 groove
N550 Powder
Wolf small rifle magnum primers
Lapua 136 gr. Scenar L

Powder test from 38.0 gr. to 42.0 grains VV N550. What do you guys think?

 

[savageshooter86]

was the last target(bottom right) 42?

Looks like maybe 41.5 gr and seating depth test

 

[Steve Blair]

I would guess between 40.2 and 40.7, then seating depth, then set the tuner. Looks very promising. [br]
BTW, who says you get a turn?

 

[Erik Cortina]

was the last target(bottom right) 42?

Looks like maybe 41.5 gr and seating depth test

Yes, last one is 42.0

 

[jsthntn247]

I'd say 40.2 would put you where you want to be. If you didn't see any pressure around 42.0, might see how close 42.4 looked like 42.0. That's smokin fast with a 6.5x47.

 

[hogpatrol]

I tried the "method" as outlined by Erik. Settled on 47.5 with a .010 jam. The smallest group in the top target was at 100 yds. & the lower target was at 500 meters. The lower two were sighters, the far right was the first shot, the left one was after a windage move and the last four in the 1 & 3/4 " cluster. Since this gun will be used for hunting, I think it's good for that purpose but what could I do to get that group tighter? Should I start adjusting seating depth by .003? Gun is a 6.5-.284 shooting 130 Berger VLD hunting bullets. Thanks, Hog

 

[lawrence97]

As per Erik's advice, I adjusted seating depths in increments of .003 out to .030 from a jam of .010. After playing with seating depths groups were more consistent and tighter.

 

[6BRinNZ]

My turn!

6.5 x 47 Lapua
31" Krieger 4 groove
N550 Powder
Wolf small rifle magnum primers
Lapua 136 gr. Scenar L

Powder test from 38.0 gr. to 42.0 grains VV N550. What do you guys think?

somewhere > 40 and < 41 probably 40.5 with sd changes.

Looks like > 41.5 is starting to move into another node and is ~100fps faster than 40.5...maybe too hot for that cartridge but accuracy 100fps faster isn't to be sneezed at. But you already know what your gonna do and what the pressure limit is

 

[Erik Cortina]

Hogpatrol, adjust seating depth in .003" increments.

 

[avidflyer]

Still trying to get my fclass load right, used the 47.1 load this wknd and got a 197,199, ,194,196. Not happy with it at all but it worked. Switched from 155 Lapua's to Berger 155.5 full bores. Like the Lapua's just not with the Bisley reamer. I never really trust the chrono numbers but do the spread. Was using a new CED M2 today. The red dots are a little over a 1/4 inch. Waiting on my magneto speed. Here are the numbers

43.0
2777
2762
2768
2769
2799
13/37

43.3
2807
2780
2837
2818
2794
57

43.6
2832
2806
2792
2816
2823
13.5/40

43.9
2832
2806
2792
2816
2823
31/95

44.1
2877
2850
2871
2831
2849
16.6/41

44.4
2864
2850
2857
2851
2867
6/17

44.6
2886
2868
2851
2883
2867
12.4/35

As a side note, I stopped using paper target for load work up, and went to corrugated plastic. Works great leaves little holes smaller then the round, You can really tell where the round is hitting Vs the paper tearing.

 

[jsthntn247]

Avid, I'd stick with 47.1. If you are shooting scores like that you should be competitive almost anywhere.

 

[avidflyer]

thanks, but they really opened up. (47.1) My Xcount went to only 3-4 per relay.