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heavyBullet

heavyBullet

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Just off the island of MTL
Having only just started reloading, and using the least expensive tools to do so ( $16 Lee Classic Loader, and a $15 nylon capped hammer)) I have to say I am more than impressed with the results compared to any hunting ammo I have ever tried in the last 25yrs.

My question is how do you read your results to decide on your final powder quantities when you have had good results with different powder amounts ?? and how are fliers calculated in this ??

I took 4 shots on each target at 100yrds, the first four using 49grs, then 49.5 and so on, up to 50.5grs.

49grs shot great, 49.5 not as well, then at 50grs I was back to a nice grouping, and at 50.5 I amazed myself with a 3 leaf clover with one flier.

As far as hunting in concerned, the 49gr or 50grs would be awesome, and if I consider the flier my error the 50.5 grs. is even better.

So where do I go from here ??? Do I go back and try 49grs and 50.5 again to see if I get repeating results and just pick the best one ?????



49grs.
30-06Grouping2002.jpg


49.5
30-06Grouping2-1.jpg


50grs.
30-06Grouping2001.jpg


50.5grs.
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30-06Grouping2003.jpg
 
Yep, sounds about right. Go for repeats and/or further refinement around the two groups. You've been looking for "nodes" in your vibrating barrel and its not unusual to find more than one. Some folks will develop their ammo around the low charge node feeling the cooler charge is more economical and improves barrel life. Other folks will develop ammo around the high charge node for esoteric reasons you'll read in due course.

By the way, you may want to lay in a good supply of whatever components you're developing. If you change any of em you'll most likely need to repeat the entire process using the new component(s).
 
Personally, I'd pick my best group, start one grain below it, and work up in 0.2 grain steps.....ending one grain above it.

As far as your 49.5 going a bit wonky on you...... Did you do ANYTHING differently, like not letting the rifle cool down in between shots ?? Also, what are you using as a rest ??? Were you shooting indoors or outdoors.....and if it was out, did you get a bit of a breeze picking up ???? Was there someone else shooting beside you breaking your concentration.....were you trying to time your shots in between their shots (maybe rushing a bit) ?? Was the bullet a bit rough seating into the case ??? I guess that's a bit hard to tell with your setup, but it matters. Did I mention consistancy is the key to accuracy ??? ;)

It's possible that your gun has a tiny spot at 49.5 gr that it doesn't like, but I'd doubt it. For the most part, if you are very consistant with everything, you'll see your groups either growing or shrinking with every step of powder change in a fairly predictable pattern. Eventually, you'll reach that magic spot where the group is as tight as it's going to get with any given powder and bullet combination. If that's acceptable, great. If it's not, you've got to change something, be it bullet, powder, gun, or whatever....and start developing all over again. I easially fired over 1000 rounds doing the load development on one of my rifles before I got something I was really happy with.
 
Are these representative groups at each powder weight, or single groups? If they are single groups, they are all good, but won't tell you much about which is better.
How are you getting the different powder weights - with a scale (you didn't mention a scale)?
Frankly, pick any one and shoot it. If you really want to know, then you are into shooting a few groups with each load and getting an average.
 
As far as your 49.5 going a bit wonky on you...... Did you do ANYTHING differently, like not letting the rifle cool down in between shots ?? Also, what are you using as a rest ??? Were you shooting indoors or outdoors.....and if it was out, did you get a bit of a breeze picking up ????
Click to expand...

I waited in between shots to let the barrel cool down. The range is outdoors, and there was a small breeze, but I do not remember which direction. I use a front and back bags as a rest( cheap ones though)

I guess I will need to be paying my attention to these variable next time.

Each target was four shots using the same amount of powder, then increasing the amount of powder for each target, using a RCBS 505 scale.
 
I suppose you have answered my point. You are shooting one group with each powder weight, which won't tell you if that is any better than the others. You appear to shoot the rifle very well, and based on one group per powder weight, you cannot judge which is better than the other.
They could all be equally as precise as the other, but only a number of groups and the average could tell you.
 
I never judge any load based on one group,and I don't believe in fliers.I count every shot of every group,and I shoot several groups with each load.Sometimes fliers turn out to be fliers due to shooter error,but sometimes they are common with certain loads,and are in fact a characteristic of the load.
 
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Ok...I have one more question. Once I have gone back and found out which qty. of powder shoots the best consistently, how much will temperature come into the equation ??

This will be my deer hunting load, so at the range its been around 21C , so how much will a cooler temp in Nov. ( say anywhere from -5 to 10C) change my results??
 
Not likely to be a concern for your hunting rounds but choosing a powder from Hodgdon's "Extreme" line is supposed to minimize temperature effects. If you've already got the powder you want to use then I just wouldn't worry about it.
 
I do have a pound of Varget from the extreme line. Do you think there would be a big difference in accuracy between temps that it would be worth while trying out the Varget?? I have read about differences in accuracy depending on temperature, but are we talking about very small differences that really would only be a problem in bench rest shooting but not in a hunting situation??
 
I'm inclined to think that, given all the variances and difficulties involved in the sport of hunting, any powder that serves well in your initial load development would suffer an immeasurably small compromise on your success due to temperature. Even in the pursuit of ultimate accuracy, powder selection is one item in a very long list of considerations.

I would select a powder based upon:

a) Ability to produce satisfactory and consistent groups during development at the range .

b) Given today's market -Availability - can you lay in a good enough supply to meet your needs for a time. Availability may change requiring you to redevelop with an alternative. Same goes for primers and bullets.

If the "Extreme meets the above criterion, go with it. If it doesn't, use whatever does.
 
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