- Location
- Calgary, AB
Have you tried seating to Nosler's load data OAL? Also, try H4831 instead. You might be surprised at the results.
Can you guys help me figure out my next step? All reloads are 3.405" COAL for my rifle, just off the lands.
May 1, 2019 I loaded FL sized brass IMR 4831 53.5gr, 54.0gr, and 54.5gr. I got 0.81" (53.5gr), 1.76" (54.0gr), and 2.73" (54.5gr) at 100 meters.
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Ok, so I try my uncle's RCBS NS die with the two most accurate loads 53.5gr and 54.0gr and shoot groups on Aug 2, 2019. Accuracy opens up at 100 meters with both loads: 1.42" (53.5gr) and 2.71" (54.0gr). At 200 meters the 53.5gr opens up to 2-4".
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I was confused and wanted to try NS with a Lee Collet Die to see if there was better performance, so I loaded up 53.5gr and shot at 100 and 200 meters today, Aug 23, 2019. Even worse accuracy, and it may be due to my unfamiliarity using the Lee Collet die. I also reloaded a batch of FL sized 53.5gr and it shot as great or better than the first loading in May.
Lee Collet Die 53.5gr 2.95" @ 100m
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Lee Collet Die 53.5gr 3.72" @ 200m
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Lee FL Size 53.5gr 0.79" @ 100m with 1 flyer.
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So at this point I have two options. I can adjust the powder charge if NS. I've read that a fire-formed case may have increased velocity with the same weight of powder, and decreasing the powder charge may help improve accuracy. Should I try loading the NS brass at 53.0gr (1/2 a grain less) and see if the groups shrink back down to sub-MOA? At this point, I need a load for hunting season and I'm going to settle on FL sized 53.5gr and raise the elevation a bit to zero at 200m for whitetail/mule deer this Fall.
Any further suggestions?
The Nosler reloading data is extremely reliable. When I load Nosler bullets, I always use a powder they have tried. Quite often I use the most accurate powder they have and the most accurate load with their COL. It always works in my Sako A7 and makes load development much easier and faster. In this case I would not use IMR4831. H4350 and H4831sc work great with win 270 150 grain. 54.5 grain H4831sc with NP gives me 0.65 groups at 100 yards all day long with a mv of about 2800 fps.
Nosler reloading data give a max of 53.5 grain of IMR 4831 for 140 grain and 52 grain for 160 grain. No data for 150 grain. So if we want to estimate the max load for 150 grain it should be around 52.5-53. You seem to have be higher than max load. If you want to use IMR4831, you probably could start at 49 grain and go up slowly. It might work. H4831sc will always work though.
How important is the shell holder in all the sizing operations? I'm using the Lee #2 shell holder with the Lee FL die.
How important is the shell holder in all the sizing operations? I'm using the Lee #2 shell holder with the Lee FL die.



























