What went wrong? May have figured it out?

[ckaberna]

During your ladder test did you also measure velocity? You’re shooting .3 gr increments. A standard deviation for ammo is often 13 fps or higher. Hodgdon lists 26 grains/2367 fps starting and max 29 gr/ 2620. The total increment is 253 fps in 3 grains. Or 25 fps in your incremental charges. So the 13 fps SD can wipe out all or most of your velocity gain with this method. You really need to shoot 3 examples of each charge and if you do that, you might as well shoot groups. Ladder tests are just that way. Especially with smaller charges.

No I didn’t chrono the ladder. Wish I would have.

 

[shoot4fun]

My thought sort of follow what Alex says. Your ladder "rungs" are too far apart. This could put you outside the middle of a node far enough that you'll run into issues. His three-shot comment seems a bit like combining ladder and OCW testing. Also, the chrono will tell you a lot but use either a skyscreen or Lab Radar type. The Magneto Speed can have adverse effects on finding the true node.

 

[riflewoman]

Well then, I’d load your max, drop back in .2 gr increments and shoot 5 5 shot groups at 200. Seat .005 from the lands. That’s only one grain total charge variance. Look for low SD in velocity AND sub MOA groups. I bet you find one but you need to find a load that gives both low SD and sub MOA groups. If Varget can’t do that, then try another powder.

 

[seandradamus]

So you shot 32.1 to 33.2 after your initial ladder and all charges combined made a smaller group at 200 than your 31.8
Possibly try a finer grain ladder like Alex suggested from 32 grains up to where you are comfortable, maybe you will find a node around 2950ish

 

[ckaberna]

Through a lot of much appreciated advise I may have figured this out. H4895 may be the answer?
All groups 3 shots at 200.
Noticed when seating some would be at 1.808 (my target for .012” jump) some would be 1.810”? Not sure if this is enough to cause the “flyers”
May have to sort these but not sure what to measure to sort?
The above measurements are BTO with hornady 3-24 tool.

 

[DHuffman]

I think you're still off the seating depth. Did you do a test in .003 increments to get to the .012 off or did you just pick that number? Mine likes .005 off but that's HVLDs, just noticed you're shooting Hybrids.

I'd verify optimum seating depth then check 30.9, 31, 31.1 & 31.2

 

[ckaberna]

I think you're still off the seating depth. Did you do a test in .003 increments to get to the .012 off or did you just pick that number? Mine likes .005 off but that's HVLDs, just noticed you're shooting Hybrids.

I'd verify optimum seating depth then check 30.9, 31, 31.1 & 31.2

Yes I tested from .006 jam to .030 jump posted earlier that’s where the .012 came from. I feel getting closer and I agree I need to fine tune. The seating variation is what’s bothering me.
Thanks

 

[ckaberna]

Sorry .008 jam to .035 jump was tested in .003 increments

 

[DHuffman]

Sorry .008 jam to .035 jump was tested in .003 increments

I think I'd do another thorough seating depth test @ 31