Which shot group would you pick

[Edward Manning]

Guys

I am new to reloading and was wondering if you could tell me out of these shot groups which one would you go with.

I am using a Savage F-class 6MM BR with a 30" barrerl.

I am using the following reloading setting

Shot from 100 yards

Redding S dies
Lapua Brass
bushing is .267
.010 into the lines
Berger 105 hybrid bullets

CCI 450 primers with the Varget power
CCI 400 primers with the Norma 203b power
Attached our the groups I shot with 5 Shot each
Thank you in advance for all the help

 

[Bill Norris]

29.8 gr. Norma 203b - CCI 400 looks like the tightest group. Normally and all things being equal that's the one I would go with.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I see 2 with possibilities. Varget 29.6
and 29.8 Norma 203b

Next I would load 10 rds of each and retest.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If shot at 100 yards to much vertical dispersion, find a better load.

 

[chkunz]

I would say that since they are 5 shot groups they are all the same.

 

[bozo699]

I would say that since they are 5 shot groups they are all the same.

What do you mean there all the same?
Wayne

 

[jds holler]

I think he means, not different enough or enough shots to tell the difference.

As the other Zilla mentioned, ten shots would iron out possible human or other factors.

Or multiple groups with the favorite ones would do the same. jd

Many is the time when I thought I had a winner, but found out different when I shot four of them in a row. There is such a thing as a lucky group. jd

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Do it again and compare

 

[chkunz]

I think he means, not different enough or enough shots to tell the difference.

As the other Zilla mentioned, ten shots would iron out possible human or other factors.

Or multiple groups with the favorite ones would do the same. jd

Many is the time when I thought I had a winner, but found out different when I shot four of them in a row. There is such a thing as a lucky group. jd

Exactly, a bad shot group tell you a lot, a good five shot group, not much.

 

[Ranger188]

You could load 5 rounds each of .2g of powder apart and a spread of 1.6 g total.
Put those two loads in the middle of the 8 groups.
With being a new loader, I wouldn't jam the bullets, either just touching
or start at 10-20 off. Too much could go wrong.
That way you could see the load coming and leaving a node.
You said you are new to loading, are you a relatively new shooter or experienced?

 

[1shot]

I’m in agreement with several other posters, re-test for 10 shots. Better yet, test them at the distance you will be competing at, if you compete. Finally, chrono those groups if that’s an option, as a wide ES will kill you at 1K yards, and wound you at 600.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[Edward Manning]

If shot at 100 yards to much vertical dispersion, find a better load.

Thank you what do you mean

 

[Edward Manning]

You could load 5 rounds each of .2g of powder apart and a spread of 1.6 g total.
Put those two loads in the middle of the 8 groups.
With being a new loader, I wouldn't jam the bullets, either just touching
or start at 10-20 off. Too much could go wrong.
That way you could see the load coming and leaving a node.
You said you are new to loading, are you a relatively new shooter or experienced?

I have shot a lot of pistol an rifle. Wanted to get into F-class

thank you

 

[Edward Manning]

I’m in agreement with several other posters, re-test for 10 shots. Better yet, test them at the distance you will be competing at, if you compete. Finally, chrono those groups if that’s an option, as a wide ES will kill you at 1K yards, and wound you at 600.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

Lloyd

I can only shot at 100 or 200 at my local range. Would 200 be better?

 

[DickE]

yes

 

[searcher]

I'd load 15 rounds of each. Shoot ALTERNATING 5-shot groups of each. Do it on a day with as little wind as possible (usually that means the first hour the range is open). Then average the three groups of each load and compare with one another. The everchanging wind conditions can make it VERY difficult for a shooter to ascertain which group had the best potential so best to fire multiple groups and average. If you aren't patient - I'd go with the Norma. If you are very patient - try RL15 AND try dropping your Varget powder charge in 3/10th grain increments until you get down to about 27.0 grains, if you haven't already tried. Sometimes, you don't get great accuracy with a powder at the upper settings. I have one barrel that shoots 28.4 Varget with Sierra Match Kings in a really tiny group but won't higher up the ladder. I've won a few matches shooting a 105 Berger using 26.5 Varget and the 105 Berger. Another tube shot .329" group at 400 yards with the 105 Scenar L bullet and 28.2 Varget. On this site, loads are often listed as "quite warm", as an understatement, though they need not be. I'd try to experiment a bit more because when you find a load that barrel really likes - you will know it immediately. This experimentation will put a bit of wear on your barrel and make you a better loader and shooter in the process. Welcome to reloading!

 

[jaybray]

I'd load 15 rounds of each. Shoot ALTERNATING 5-shot groups of each. Do it on a day with as little wind as possible (usually that means the first hour the range is open). Then average the three groups of each load and compare with one another. The everchanging wind conditions can make it VERY difficult for a shooter to ascertain which group had the best potential so best to fire multiple groups and average. If you aren't patient - I'd go with the Norma. If you are very patient - try RL15 AND try dropping your Varget powder charge in 3/10th grain increments until you get down to about 27.0 grains, if you haven't already tried. Sometimes, you don't get great accuracy with a powder at the upper settings. I have one barrel that shoots 28.4 Varget with Sierra Match Kings in a really tiny group but won't higher up the ladder. I've won a few matches shooting a 105 Berger using 26.5 Varget and the 105 Berger. Another tube shot .329" group at 400 yards with the 105 Scenar L bullet and 28.2 Varget. On this site, loads are often listed as "quite warm", as an understatement, though they need not be. I'd try to experiment a bit more because when you find a load that barrel really likes - you will know it immediately. This experimentation will put a bit of wear on your barrel and make you a better loader and shooter in the process. Welcome to reloading!

I have ruined my fair share of 6br lapua brass by using loads posted on the main page of this site. No fault but my own for not working up to the posted loads. Most are well above what both my 6br barrel's could handle and accuracy was poor. The posted 31.3 grains of varget and 95 berger almost locked up my beautiful Bat sv. I personally have had better luck not going over the hodgon load data maximum charge.

 

[jnm300ultra]

Edward have you been shooting with me. Maybe we can go to the range together and compare the same problems. Nothing worse than going to the range to find a load and I start at square one. I feel your pain. Just chalk it up as a better day at the range than at work. I don’t want to give you any advice because I still have these days at the range. Good luck,
Jason

 

[Ccrider]

Lloyd

I can only shot at 100 or 200 at my local range. Would 200 be better?

If you can’t get it to shoot at 100, it’s not going to get better or easier at two hundred.

 

[1shot]

Additionally, look for round groups. Stringing either horizontally or vertically tells you the load is out of tune.

Lloyd