Long range load development at 100 yards.

[DR_2297]

80.5 / 8208 / 223 / .200 FB / seated 0.015 off / 40F. Targeting 24.2. All data comes from LabRADAR and Shotmarker fired @ 200 yd

 

[Dimner]

Before I got through the entire 100+ pages of this thread, is the process the same as it has been since 2015?
Or is there more information stuck somewhere in the middle of this thread?

 

[TomWin]

Hope there is still interest in this great thread that Erik started and provided some excellent info for us mere mortals in the reloading world.

Today I FINALLY got around to shooting my powder charge fine tuning, just about 2months after loading them!

Anyway, just after opinions on the best pick. I have my thoughts, just keen on others. These are 4 shot groups.

FYI, Ignore the POI changes between the first 3 groups.

Thanks all.

 

[eric32]

Unfortunately you can’t ignore the POI changes that directly relates to the stability of the charge window. You’re looking for a window where the POI doesn’t shift versus the charge weight. Groups size are important but can be changed with seating depth or primers.

I would re-shoot and don’t adjust for POI. And note where the groups center land.

 

[jdj71]

I liked the speed node (?) between 43.8 and 43.4 . I would shoot those 3 again ( 5 shots each ) and ck. the speed. I think you're close so scrunch down the rabbit hole a little further ( make sure the scale is calibrated, eliminate all possible inconsistencies , load all test cartridges in the same room on the same day with the same humidity, ck. for consistent brass, etc. ) But you know all this stuff.
Good luck with your project, JD

 

[TomWin]

I liked the speed node (?) between 43.8 and 43.4 . I would shoot those 3 again ( 5 shots each ) and ck. the speed. I think you're close so scrunch down the rabbit hole a little further ( make sure the scale is calibrated, eliminate all possible inconsistencies , load all test cartridges in the same room on the same day with the same humidity, ck. for consistent brass, etc. ) But you know all this stuff.
Good luck with your project, JD

Yeah, me to. Going to load 43.4-43.8 in 0.1gr increases. Ive gone through seating depth testing and Im within a good node, so this should be a final test to lock in something. This is a factory Tikka T3 for sub 600yd hunting with some occasional fun on LR steel, so im happy where it is now, but its fun pushing for that lil bit more!!

 

[jdj71]

Yeah, me to. Going to load 43.4-43.8 in 0.1gr increases. Ive gone through seating depth testing and Im within a good node, so this should be a final test to lock in something. This is a factory Tikka T3 for sub 600yd hunting with some occasional fun on LR steel, so im happy where it is now, but its fun pushing for that lil bit more!!

take care it's a very deep rabbit hole JD

 

[schmellba99]

Resurrecting an old thread.

I've done a handful of OCW tests over the years, most of which were with calibers that either had a pretty small spread between min and max loads or weren't barrel burner calibers.

However, just picked up a new (to me) .264 Win Mag and need to develop a load for it. But I don't want to shoot 80 rounds for the initial node search powder charge. If I were to do a node test for the entire range of powder, even in .5 grain increments it would be about 75 rounds. That's a lot. I'm thinking of disregarding the bottom 25% of the powder charge range and starting from there to eliminate a lot of shooting that will probably be a waste of time. None of the loads I've developed over the years have ever been on the bottom side of the powder charge range anyway - almost all have been towards the higher end.

Powder charge range for this cartridge starts at 56.6 grains (H1000, it's what I have) with a max of 67.7 grains. I was thinking of starting at either 59.0 or even 60.0 as the bottom end and working up from there. That would still put me at 17-19 different charge weights to shoot through.

Thoughts?

 

[AR Shooter]

Seems like a reasonable approach. If you don't get what you consider good data you can always try the lighter loads.

 

[Bc'z]

Resurrecting an old thread.

I've done a handful of OCW tests over the years, most of which were with calibers that either had a pretty small spread between min and max loads or weren't barrel burner calibers.

However, just picked up a new (to me) .264 Win Mag and need to develop a load for it. But I don't want to shoot 80 rounds for the initial node search powder charge. If I were to do a node test for the entire range of powder, even in .5 grain increments it would be about 75 rounds. That's a lot. I'm thinking of disregarding the bottom 25% of the powder charge range and starting from there to eliminate a lot of shooting that will probably be a waste of time. None of the loads I've developed over the years have ever been on the bottom side of the powder charge range anyway - almost all have been towards the higher end.

Powder charge range for this cartridge starts at 56.6 grains (H1000, it's what I have) with a max of 67.7 grains. I was thinking of starting at either 59.0 or even 60.0 as the bottom end and working up from there. That would still put me at 17-19 different charge weights to shoot through.

Thoughts?

I'd start in the middle around 63 grains load a powder ladder in .5 increments

 

[Jeff Porter]

What bullet weight are you wanting to shoot? What are your velocity requirements for the load?

With the .264 140gr bullet and these H1000 loads you should be in a range of 2800-3100 fps but I did not see any H1000 data that went up to 67 gr. for that?

I would start at 85-90% of max load do two shot steps of 0.5 gr up from there until I see pressure sign. Then back off 1.0 gr from there and start playing with smaller increments and shooting for groups.

 

[Doom]

With a new gun I would shoot 1 shot at minimum (57), then go 2gr increments to 64 gr just to check for pressure. Then work up with 0.5 gr from there. Also if this is strictly a hunting gun I would seriously consider a slightly different approach. Try shooting each of the higher increments as cold barrel (fouled) and shoot two shots not three. More than likely that's what is going to matter.

 

[schmellba99]

What bullet weight are you wanting to shoot? What are your velocity requirements for the load?

With the .264 140gr bullet and these H1000 loads you should be in a range of 2800-3100 fps but I did not see any H1000 data that went up to 67 gr. for that?

I would start at 85-90% of max load do two shot steps of 0.5 gr up from there until I see pressure sign. Then back off 1.0 gr from there and start playing with smaller increments and shooting for groups.

I'm shooting 130gr Sierra Gamechangers out of it. I might drop down to some 120 gr TTSX but would prefer the slightly heavier projectiles.

 

[TC260]

With a new gun I would shoot 1 shot at minimum (57), then go 2gr increments to 64 gr just to check for pressure. Then work up with 0.5 gr from there.

I was going to say the same thing. On a new gun, if I’m going to skip the low charge weights for load development I at least want one shot every grain or two to make sure everything is progressing normally up to the warmer loads.

It’s almost always fine but one time I was working up a load for a 280AI and right off the bat they were running something like 250 fps over expected velocity. Dont remember the details now but I was pretty much hitting max velocities about where I was going to start testing charges. I think it was due to the nickel cases I was using but regardless, I was glad to have loaded the few extra rounds to know what was happening before starting in on the warmer loads.

 

[Darrindlh]

Thank you for an awesome read. Im learning so much. Can you help me?
I have a 300 weatherby and I am starting load development. I am using N565 and 215 berger hybrids.
There is Zero load data with this combo. So I plugged in my rifle Parameters and case capacity in Gordons Reloading Tool. Knowing the caliber and bullet choice. I want to shoot this bullet at a minimum 2900 FPS.
Would you suggest starting Erics method at a supposed minimum FPS and working up in .5 grn increments until signs of pressure? Trying to not waste components. I hope I wasnt to confusing. Thanks

Darrin

 

[Pareto]

Does the shifting POI matter less if you're shooting 100 yard benchrest for groups? In that case the POI shift is less important than group size.

 

[RegionRat]

Does the shifting POI matter less if you're shooting 100 yard benchrest for groups? In that case the POI shift is less important than group size.

Well, a POI shift is not usually a good place to be for short or long since the shift comes with little or no warning and can ruin a group either way.

 

[JFrank]

Does the shifting POI matter less if you're shooting 100 yard benchrest for groups? In that case the POI shift is less important than group size.

Another word for shifting is unstable.