Long range load development at 100 yards.

[Raythemanroe]

I started load development on my new Wildcat. It's a .300 WSM with shoulder blown forward about .030", changed shoulder angle to 40 degrees, and decreased body taper by .002". They are modest improvements but enough to accomplish my goal of lowering pressure at same speed.

So far the results are promising. The accuracy window appears to be very wide.

Next step is to work on seating depth.

What velocity are you getting out of those 220g ?

 

[Erik Cortina]

The speeds are written on the target.

 

[Raythemanroe]

The speeds are written on the target.

O, this is your only loads?

 

[Erik Cortina]

The speeds are written on the target.

O, this is your only loads?

So far yes. I'm using N165 and I'm not looking for a "nuclear" load. I'm developing an accurate load with mild recoil and high level of accuracy until I get used to the recoil and the issues associated with recoil and gun torque.

I can switch to N560 and get over 3,000 fps, but I'm not looking for speed right now, only accuracy.

 

[johnnyi]

Your speeds seem very low to me. What length barrel do you have?

Its only 26"

No pressure signs or indications up to 47.4 grains of H4831. Hornady book shows max load being 45.9. However looking at the Hogdon load data on line shows up to 49.5 gr. Different bullet but same physical weight. I reduced down to only a .2 grain step to watch closely for any signs. However I stopped at 47.4. I don't think I would have any issues running higher. But just stopped here loading this morning before going to the range.

 

[stoutheart]

Hi Erik and all,

I've attached a test target I shot two days ago with my new tikka Sporter in .260 Rem that I asked a few load dev. questions about last week.
I'm having trouble coming to any solid conclusions from it, would you mind taking a look and letting me know what you think?
Unfortunately, the first group I dropped a round and it landed on the tip and deformed it pretty bad so it's only two shots, and the last group is only two because they called a cease fire. I hurried but was not able to fire the last round then had to go home. I discarded it from this test due to shooter error, should have just waited.

Ammo is new Lapua brass, 139 Scenars, RL17, CCI 200 LRPs, 40 degrees, gusty light winds, loads and measurements are on the target.
Since the allowable upload size is small, here is a dropbox link to the photo for better viewing. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18149004/Test%20target_med.jpg

From 41 - 42 grains the vertical is increasing steadily at about .1 per load. Then at 42.5 it jumps about .2 but 43 is very tight with it at only about .02 above it. Unfortunately, 43.5 is bad and I can't get a feel for wether or not 43 might have been a node center.

Also, it seems that statistically, my holds with the bipod and sand sock vary enough that it's hard to draw very strong conclusions but I'm not sure what to think about that either.

Thats about all I've been able to get out of it, any suggestions?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Erik Cortina]

Between 42.5 and 43.0 look good.

 

[stoutheart]

At this point would you choose a load between 42.5 and 43 and start playing with seating depth or would you do another test of say 42.5 - 43.5 in smaller increments?

 

[Erik Cortina]

At this point would you choose a load between 42.5 and 43 and start playing with seating depth or would you do another test of say 42.5 - 43.5 in smaller increments?

Yes, pick a load in between. Lets say 42.8 gr and adjust seating depth.

 

[johnnyi]

Decided to revisit load development on my .308 as Santa brought a new Nightforce scope. Thought it would be a good exercise as I made large movements in the seating depths. So I started back with powder with the bullet initial seating at -.020 off the lands. Not quite "jam" but firmly pressed and -.020

I sighted in with my old load that I felt like was the best. At -.040 and 42.1 grains of Varget. Here is my first group new scope and fowling clean cold barrel before the group testing.

Berger shows max load at 41.6 Varget with this 185 Berger. Never had any pressure sign up to even 43.1 grains.



Here are 10 groups only going up .2 grains per group. Not sure why I did such a fine view, but was fun testing with new scope...

 

[Erik Cortina]

I think I would go with 42.4 and adjust seating depth in .003" increments. Groups show great promise as they are, but it's always best to make sure that it's shooting as good as possible.

 

[johnnyi]

What do you think about the extreme spreads? Neck tension? I should have mentioned these were about the 5th firing on Lapua Brass. This round I full length sized with a standard cheap'O full length sizing die. No neck bushing...

 

[Erik Cortina]

What do you think about the extreme spreads? Neck tension? I should have mentioned these were about the 5th firing on Lapua Brass. This round I full length sized with a standard cheap'O full length sizing die. No neck bushing...

ES looks good.

I would advise that you FL size every time to achieve consistency.

 

[johnnyi]

[/quote]

ES looks good.

I would advise that you FL size every time to achieve consistency.
[/quote]

FL with correct neck bushing though correct? ie redding type s full length die with neck bushing? .002-.003 neck tension?

 

[Erik Cortina]

ES looks good.

I would advise that you FL size every time to achieve consistency.

FL with correct neck bushing though correct? ie redding type s full length die with neck bushing? .002-.003 neck tension?

Yes. .002" neck tension is what I use.

 

[johnnyi]

Got the correct bushings. I will get a redding FL bushing die on the way. Any preference one over another? Thanks for all the solid advice.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Got the correct bushings. I will get a redding FL bushing die on the way. Any preference one over another? Thanks for all the solid advice.

I personally prefer Redding.

 

[johnnyi]

Not quite the results I had hoped for on this perfect shooting day... Almost zero wind and I even made the drive to Bayou to shoot off the cement benches. I didn't clean my barrel before testing these seating depths. I continued on from the powder work up with 40 shots fired.

All of these were fired with 42.4 grains of Varget. Started at -.010

 

[Erik Cortina]

-.019" to .-022" look pretty good.

 

[boltfluter]

Awesome thread. Learned a lot from this. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to do all this shooting. ;D

Regards,
Paul

www.boltfluting.com