Load Development

[yorketransport]

Surprisingly that piece of brass seats a new primer like new. 

If they still hold a primer I'd say you're good to go, start loading!

[BULLBLASTER]

Surprisingly that piece of brass seats a new primer like new. 

If they still hold a primer I'd say you're good to go, start loading!

   

I pulled them down tonight and reduced the charges some.

[Crunchy]

Well looks like .3 grains increments might be a little light, should have gone .4 or .5 increments.  I did find something to work with.  I had duplicates at
69.3 and 69.6 @3058
71.1 and 71.7 @ 3159 (71.4 3137)
72 and 72.3 @ 3205
Maybe something at
73.2 @ 3212 and 73.8 @ 3228.  Need to load 73.5 and shoot these three again.

Went all the way to 74 grains, and still no cratering or sticky bolt.  Pretty sure I am over max book load, so I will keep it under 74 grains.  Nice day at the range.  Hardly anyone there.

[wooltie]

Any particular way to test different types of brass?

[BULLBLASTER]

Any particular way to test different types of brass?

I haven’t specifically tested types of brass. Usually just work up a load with whatever brass I decide to use. If it works well I’ll keep using it but if it doesn’t last as long and expected or for some other reason I don’t like it I’ll change to another brand.

Maybe other people test different brands and compare.

[Stein]

I shot a simple brass test last week, 5 of each headstamp loaded with identical loads, bullets & primers.  I was blown away at the variation:

Federal       2,755 fps, 10.3 SD, 22 ES
Remington  2,730 fps, 13.9 SD, 35 ES
Winchester  2706 fps,  7.2 SD,  17 ES

That is a 49 fps difference in average velocity as well as a noticeable difference in ES and SD (half as much with Win vs Remington).  I normally shoot Remington for my hunting loads and unsorted for range stuff, fixing that alone will tighten up my groups for free with no extra work.

I'm shooting a similar primer test this week with standard, bench rest and magnums from the major makers.

[wooltie]

I shot a simple brass test last week, 5 of each headstamp loaded with identical loads, bullets & primers.  I was blown away at the variation:

Federal       2,755 fps, 10.3 SD, 22 ES
Remington  2,730 fps, 13.9 SD, 35 ES
Winchester  2706 fps,  7.2 SD,  17 ES

That is a 49 fps difference in average velocity as well as a noticeable difference in ES and SD (half as much with Win vs Remington).  I normally shoot Remington for my hunting loads and unsorted for range stuff, fixing that alone will tighten up my groups for free with no extra work.

I'm shooting a similar primer test this week with standard, bench rest and magnums from the major makers.

Did your group size/appearance vary for the different types of brass?  Just curious, I'm shot a few loads with SD of 10 fps, but didn't group consistently at all.

[JBar]

My cheapo pro chrony makes shooting at a targets, and through the chrono tough at the same time tough.  If I had either a magneto speed or labradar I could shorten this up at step or two.

@crunchy if you havent already bought a magneto be aware it will affect your bullet impact for groups. I had 3/4 moa groups with the magneto on and they blew up to 2 inch groups without it. Heres a pic of a group where shot #5 was with the magneto.

[Stein]

I shot a simple brass test last week, 5 of each headstamp loaded with identical loads, bullets & primers.  I was blown away at the variation:

Federal       2,755 fps, 10.3 SD, 22 ES
Remington  2,730 fps, 13.9 SD, 35 ES
Winchester  2706 fps,  7.2 SD,  17 ES

That is a 49 fps difference in average velocity as well as a noticeable difference in ES and SD (half as much with Win vs Remington).  I normally shoot Remington for my hunting loads and unsorted for range stuff, fixing that alone will tighten up my groups for free with no extra work.

I'm shooting a similar primer test this week with standard, bench rest and magnums from the major makers.

Did your group size/appearance vary for the different types of brass?  Just curious, I'm shot a few loads with SD of 10 fps, but didn't group consistently at all.

I wasn't paying much attention, but the accuracy has a had wall at the velocity spread.  I did the same thing with primers with a similar result and the groups did follow the SD, tighter groups for lower SD.

[wooltie]

I put my barreled action into a new stock, bedded most of the action including the barrel shank.  Now, the gun seems to shoot many bullets rather well, even 180 grainers, which rarely shot anything discernible as a group.

This is a 30/06.  3, 3 shot groups @ 100 yards.  Each group is a different bullet loaded with .020" of jump at 2 grains under max.  180s shot well too.  Now I just need to pick a bullet to move forward.

From left to right: 150g accubond, 165g partition, 150g partition.  Partitions always have a nice vertical string with little left to right.  Accubonds have more spread.  180g sgks shot well too.  For killing deer and bears out to 300 yards, I think either bullet will work; the choice is just to satisfy the rational mind LOL. 

I'll take the one that groups most consistently.

[hogslayer]

I would think that if you picked one of those bullets and did a seating depth/powder work up, it would shrink down to about half that..

[Crunchy]

My cheapo pro chrony makes shooting at a targets, and through the chrono tough at the same time tough.  If I had either a magneto speed or labradar I could shorten this up at step or two.

@crunchy if you havent already bought a magneto be aware it will affect your bullet impact for groups. I had 3/4 moa groups with the magneto on and they blew up to 2 inch groups without it. Heres a pic of a group where shot #5 was with the magneto.

yes, i have heard the stories with magnetospeeds.  I did finally pull the trigger and bought one, and waiting for it to get delivered.  I have a load in mine that is shooting half MOA at 200, but my prochrony is junk, and I would only get half my velocities.  The ones I did get were all of the place with about a 60 SD and 100 ES.  Not sure how a bullet at .5MOA at 200 could have such a spread.  Guess it is the crap chrony I have/had.  Once the new chrono gets here I am going to shoot again from 69.5 to 73 in .3 increments.  Verify what I believe to be the nodes and go from there.  I want it to be 71.3 which is my best grouping.  Then shoot 10 to get accurate SD and ES.  Order new dial from Leupold and done.

[BULLBLASTER]

My cheapo pro chrony makes shooting at a targets, and through the chrono tough at the same time tough.  If I had either a magneto speed or labradar I could shorten this up at step or two.

@crunchy if you havent already bought a magneto be aware it will affect your bullet impact for groups. I had 3/4 moa groups with the magneto on and they blew up to 2 inch groups without it. Heres a pic of a group where shot #5 was with the magneto.

yes, i have heard the stories with magnetospeeds.  I did finally pull the trigger and bought one, and waiting for it to get delivered.  I have a load in mine that is shooting half MOA at 200, but my prochrony is junk, and I would only get half my velocities.  The ones I did get were all of the place with about a 60 SD and 100 ES.  Not sure how a bullet at .5MOA at 200 could have such a spread.  Guess it is the crap chrony I have/had.  Once the new chrono gets here I am going to shoot again from 69.5 to 73 in .3 increments.  Verify what I believe to be the nodes and go from there.  I want it to be 71.3 which is my best grouping.  Then shoot 10 to get accurate SD and ES.  Order new dial from Leupold and done.

Why would you chrono all the other charges if you have a 1/2 moa load already. Shoot that load over the chrono and check it at distance and call it done. 

[Crunchy]

Just to verify or get more accurate info from what the old chrono was giving me.  I for sure have to do something with the .5 MOA load because of the garbage numbers I was getting from the old chrono regarding the SD/ES.  Loaded 20 rounds in total including 8 at the magic 71.3.  So it isnt throwing too much money away.  Make the trip to the range worth it. 

[BULLBLASTER]

I’d rather shoot what you know is accurate over the chrono and then go long with it but each their own. Rounds down range are rarely if ever a waste. 

The magnetos are sweet.