Opinions and advice please - ES forhunting loads

[ChocDog]

Hi all,
I have recently got back into reloading and starting to work up some loads for my Tikka T3x 7mm-08. I am not a long range shooter, just a hunter and a guy who likes to shoot. My maximum range that I want to be able to shoot comfortably at is 400 yards and under. More often than not 300 and under.
I try to be as consistent with my reloading practices as possible. I am currently using a Redding T7 turret press, redding FL, micrometer seaters, instant dial indicators etc. All my cases are within .0005 for case length, shoulder length and CBTO. I anneal after every firing with the annealeez. I am using lapua brass.
I have started to use a Magneto chronograph to better understand what my loads are doing and trying to get a better handle on ES and make more consistent loads. I am fiddling with the velocity node spreadsheet from the 6.5 guys. What I am seeing is, in my opinion, large velocity spreads and some inconsistencies. Currently I am limited to mag length for COAL 2.80" until I get my conversion kit. The attached images are for a load workup for 140 grain Nosler Accubond, Imr4350 and WLR primers. The test was run starting with a clean barrel and over 3.5-4 hours, trying to maintain barrel temp.
I am not sure about the outliers at loads 44.8, 45.4 or 46. I am having a bit of trouble in deciphering the data. There appears to be a flat spot worth investigating at 45.4 (if I dropped out the outlier), however 45.8 looks good with a ES of 25, SD of 9.7 and velocity differential of 16.25 from adjacent loads.
What do think would cause the outliers. If those were anomalies and dropped out the numbers really change.
What do you recommend that I could do to better the ES?
What are your overall opinions and general recommendations? All would be greatly appreciated.
If you made it this far, thanks for your time and consideration.

 

[Homerange]

You can get too hung up on ES and just for hunting anything in the teens or better is plenty good enough.
45.4 is where I'd work from.

 

[chop house]

What do you recommend that I could do to better the ES?
What are your overall opinions and general recommendations?

i can't speak to the first question, but as to the second, you might check out laurie's replies to a thread i posted a while back:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...-programs-only-rely-on-bc-not-weight.3951771/

the question is somewhat related to yours. seems if your rifles nodes are wide enough you might never detect the issue at the ranges your anticipating.

 

[K22]

Forget about ES - you're a hunter. The accuracy you need depends on how far you intend to shoot and the size of the vitals for the critter you'll be hunting. The purpose of load develop is to identify a load that is capable of this level of accuracy plus some margin of error for your shooting skills under field conditions. Obviously varmint / predator hunting is more demanding accuracy wise of the rifle / load than big game hunting because of the difference in the vital areas.

Once you have a capable load spend your time and money learning how to shoot under field conditions using the support system you intend to hunt with, i.e. bipod or shooting sticks, etc. Shoot at distances you intend to hunt and record each shot to determine you max range capability. Spending hours on the bench won't make you a better field shot unless you intend to take the bench with you in the field.

It might be sobering to shoot at a 400 yard target in a field condition to see if you can hit the vital area of the critter you'll be hunting.

 

[ChocDog]

Forget about ES - you're a hunter. The accuracy you need depends on how far you intend to shoot and the size of the vitals for the critter you'll be hunting. The purpose of load develop is to identify a load that is capable of this level of accuracy plus some margin of error for your shooting skills under field conditions. Obviously varmint / predator hunting is more demanding accuracy wise of the rifle / load than big game hunting because of the difference in the vital areas.

Once you have a capable load spend your time and money learning how to shoot under field conditions using the support system you intend to hunt with, i.e. bipod or shooting sticks, etc. Shoot at distances you intend to hunt and record each shot to determine you max range capability. Spending hours on the bench won't make you a better field shot unless you intend to take the bench with you in the field.

It might be sobering to shoot at a 400 yard target in a field condition to see if you can hit the vital area of the critter you'll be hunting.

Thanks for the reply. I do shoot/practice using field like conditions and currently out to 200 yards (limitations at my club) and have the opportunity to shoot further. You're absolutely correct, I wouldn't want to carry that bench with me hunting, I already have enough crap in my pack . This exercise is somewhat academic, and I enjoy doing it, learning more and being a better reloader. I figured if I had a better understanding of what my loads were doing (and why), other than just how the group on paper it would only help me build better loads. In turn, aiding in the predictability of the round. I was hoping to get some insight about the the outliers and the the variances in ES. Is this due to neck tension, or something else? I have previously developed loads for my factory Remington 30-06 that print 3/8" and 1/2" loads for my 300WSM. I achieved those using OCW. Again, this method interests me, and proposes to eliminate the errors of the point drill method of the OCW. Thanks again for the input.

 

[yukonal]

I am a Tikka nut, and a 708 freak. So I have dealt with what you are asking about...for years.

Some of mine have great numbers, some...crap. But the loads I have developed for them are incredible. So, I don't take stock in the numbers (es, sd ). I'm mainly concerned with the velocity so that I can work up a good drop chart. (and of course, accuracy)

After a 200 yard zero, I only shoot them at 300 and 400, under field conditions. It also confirms the accuracy of the loads...numbers be damned. I'm referring to my hunting rifles, now.

Some of mine like Varget, and a couple struggled with it...but HAMMER with Big Game. Big Game is a sleeper, you might want to give it a try. Good luck!