What would you guys do?

[cam1936]

I've already made my decision on this and killed a deer with my decision but I'm just wondering what the consensus on this would be. I spent many range days this summer working up the perfect load for my do everything hunting rifle, a .280. I found that 54 grains of H4831 below a 140 grain Accubond produced groups .4" average (cold bore shots) and 57 grains produced an average of .8". The groups were twice the size but still very good, and of course a big gain in velocity with 3 more grains of powder.

So what would you guys do. Shoot the slower reload that's more accurate. Or go with the somewhat less accurate but faster load.

 

[Jordan Smith]

Either one would be accurate enough for my needs. I'd use the higher velocity.

 

[saskgunowner101]

I'd probably go with the higher velocity as well. That's the fun thing with reloading though, you can chase your tail as little or as much as you want.

 

[Gatehouse]

Both will be more than accurate enough to kill. I'd go with the higher velocity, as accuracy won't matter.

 

[tactical lever]

Might not be as big a difference in velocity as you think. According to my calculations your heavy load is less than 6% faster, and producing just under 14% more pressure. My data (from a test rifle) gives 2711 ft/sec. vs. 2868 for your fast load. About 156 foot seconds difference.

Twice the accuracy, more case life... I think I'd take the lighter load.

 

[Ga71]

good call.

 

[Dean2]

Might not be as big a difference in velocity as you think. According to my calculations your heavy load is less than 6% faster, and producing just under 14% more pressure. My data (from a test rifle) gives 2711 ft/sec. vs. 2868 for your fast load. About 156 foot seconds difference.

Twice the accuracy, more case life... I think I'd take the lighter load.

First thing I would do is play around in .2 increments around the fast load, then play with OAL to see if I could get it down uner 1/2", since you know the gun is capable of that. Failing that, I would shoot the more accurate load, particulaly if I was going to be doing a lot of shooting over 400 yards. In all reality though, .8 is just fine for hunting too.

 

[cam1936]

I went with 57 grains for my hunting rounds this year. The stars alinged this September and I had a Mulie buck stand broadside to me completley still while I had the best rest ive ever used in the field (A rock at the perfect height to sit behind and rest the rifle on) One 430 yard shoot and he was down, bullet went right where I wanted it. I was very impressed.

I might have to do some playing around this summer and see if I can get the faster load to shoot like the slower load. Isn't reloading grand?

 

[Pathfinder]

I went with 57 grains for my hunting rounds this year. The stars alinged this September and I had a Mulie buck stand broadside to me completley still while I had the best rest ive ever used in the field (A rock at the perfect height to sit behind and rest the rifle on) One 430 yard shoot and he was down, bullet went right where I wanted it. I was very impressed.

I might have to do some playing around this summer and see if I can get the faster load to shoot like the slower load. Isn't reloading grand?

yes it is.

With the ranges you are shooting at I would try to keep the muzzle velocity as high as possible given the accuracy is acceptable. i would tweak the load as you mentioned....

 

[tactical lever]

I went with 57 grains for my hunting rounds this year. The stars alinged this September and I had a Mulie buck stand broadside to me completley still while I had the best rest ive ever used in the field (A rock at the perfect height to sit behind and rest the rifle on) One 430 yard shoot and he was down, bullet went right where I wanted it. I was very impressed.

I might have to do some playing around this summer and see if I can get the faster load to shoot like the slower load. Isn't reloading grand?

Nice. Nothing more satisfying than putting it together like that, with a load off your bench.

 

[StevieK]

You can definitely try to tweak the load, but I have never heard of anyone complain about .8" groups

 

[Ganderite]

" I spent many range days this summer working up the perfect load"

A fall hunt would be cooler, so the hot weather load will be moving in a milder direction anyway. Go with 57 grains.

 

[Northman999]

I would go with the higher velocity load.

The approximately 150 fps estimated difference in your loads is significant enough to stick with the heavier load, I would say, and Ganderite makes a good point about temperature. I developed a heavy load for my .375 RUM pushing 300 gr TSX's, and the load hits 2950 fps at +15 degrees, but is 2865 at -15. If you were to take your 150 fps slower load and shoot it in winter, you may be down almost 250 fps from your heavier load.

My normal practice is to keep laying on the powder until I either get unnaceptably large groups, or obvious pressure signs.

 

[adriel]

Spend as much or as little time on tuning your reload as you want. I spent a bit more time this year working up an accurate load, but ended up taking my shot at ~50 yards. Compromised rests, hurried shots, or inaccurate range estimates will end up in more missed shots than .8" vs .4" but if you count it as hobby-time, why not shoot for .4" AND high velocity.

 

[Spampy]

Nice work. Go with the faster load. Then you won't be second guessing when it matters.

 

[martinbns]

Must be winter.