First loads testing

patfraser3

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Here are my results for my first hand loads ever!, I'm really happy with the results, they are all 5 shot groups except for the first one (3x hornady that i used to heat up the barrel) and the last group. i think ill stay with 40.9 gr since it gave me the best results of all, with 4 bullets in 3 holes and the other i pulled the shot, i knew i had pulled since i pulled the trigger and didn't let it slide like i usually do.

Rifle: Rem 700 AAC-SD, Twist 1:10, Sierra 175 MatchKing, H-4895, Brass: Norma, Primer: Federal 210, COAL: 2.820
Testing at 100 yards

Let me know what you think of the groups!



 
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For your record-keeping, groups are measured center to center.

In practice, this means you measure from top to top, or bottom to bottom, or right to right.

IMG_0971.jpg
 
Nice shooting,
I would re-run the 40.9 and 42.4, plus the manual suggests you can still add a bit more-I would also try 42.5
At this point you might want to shoot multiple groups of each to derive an average and that should tell you which load is consistently the most accurate.
 
Depending on how you are analyzing your load tests, the smallest group might not be the best. You might consider using group 8, as it seems to be in the middle of a vertical cluster. It's a looser cluster than groups 1, 2 and 3, but it will have higher velocity.

It's pretty neat to see the group size marching up and down in so predictable a pattern in chart 3.

yTKWPwN.jpg
 
In my experience with my various .308 cal rifles using 175SMK's and Varget I get accurate groups every 1.2gr.
For example one rifle shoots lights out with 39.9gr, 41.1gr, 42.3gr, 43.5gr.
WARNING Some loads are above published safe maximum loads.
Do not use my data in your rifle.
 
With the 42.4 groups i only shot 4 since i was getting signs of over pressure, the bolt was getting stiff to open i stopped there even though the books said 42.7 max load
 
I was wondering, since i used Norma brass to test my loads can i also buy lapua brass and load them the same as the norma or do i have to do that whole test again? Or i only test lets say 40.7,40.8,40.9,41.0 with the lapua? i heard that the norma and lapua cases where close to the same specs.
 
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With the 42.4 groups i only shot 4 since i was getting signs of over pressure, the bolt was getting stiff to open I stopped there even though the books said 42.7 max load

Smart lad! One of my rifles had a pressure gauge on it. Each time the bolt got a little stiff, pressure was in theproof round range - 70,000 psi+

42.7 was max in their rifle, not yours. Each is different.
 
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