My First Hand Loads Downrange!

Slug870

Slug870

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So I finally got out to the range to begin the load development process and for the first time I fired ammo I loaded! All in all I would have to say things went very well; no catastrophic failures, all rounds fed/fired perfectly and I achieved results which provided me with the foundation data I needed to carry on developing a tuned load for my rifle.

My only complaint about the range session was the wind; averaging about 15km/h, but blustery and constantly changing directions. I wasn't using flags, but I think I may for my next outing...

Anyway, enough of the babble; let's get to the meat and potatoes of the day... Please have a look and feel free to offer suggestions/advice/guidance for the next step in tuning the load.

.224 80gr A-Max
Varget
Lapua Brass (new, loaded out of the box)

100m
5 Shot Groups

23.0gr


23.2


23.4


23.6


23.8 (Yes, I pulled the "flyer" shot and knew it right away...)


24.0


24.2


24.4 (The "flyer" was shot five... right when I was stoked to achieve best group I've ever shot!)


24.6


24.8


I did not go any higher in powder weight as my manual is listing 25gr as the max, and I was already hearing "crunching" when seating the bullets at the 24.6gr-24.8gr weight.


So I suppose the next logical step would be to choose the best looking node and move the distance out to 300m? Or should I stay at 100m and load up 5 (or 10) shot groups in .1gr increments? Or do the whole thing over again and hope for a less windy day? :p As you can tell, I am a little unsure on how to proceed; but all in all I am pleased thus far with my work and the data collected.

Let's hear your thoughts, and thanks in advance for any and all help/advice/constructive criticism/mockery :redface:
 
I'd pick a less windy day , a load that you like from above and go a few tenths of a grain on either side and see what is what.

You'd be okay going further out as it looks like you won't be going off target any time soon either.
 
Id load 24.4 and roll with it. How far off the lands are you? Also I have found that that little bit of wind at 100 yards doesnt do a heck of alot. If it was dlowing across the range at double that or more would notice a difference after all we arnt shooting 22lr

Edit: What was the velocity of them?
 
hometownhero said:
Id load 24.4 and roll with it. How far off the lands are you? Also I have found that that little bit of wind at 100 yards doesnt do a heck of alot. If it was dlowing across the range at double that or more would notice a difference after all we arnt shooting 22lr

Edit: What was the velocity of them?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I should have mentioned.... I loaded these rounds 15 thou off the lands. I did not chrony these loads, so velocity is unknown (just got a chrony and didn't bring it this morning).
 
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