Accuracy nodes

[Crunchy]

So I ran maybe 15 rounds over the new chrono which confirmed two nodes.  One short node at 71.3 which the first time I shot it was at .47 MOA.  That node was between 71.0 and 71.3 with 6 fps difference between the two loads.  Next node was from 71.7 to 72.3 with 7 fps difference and 6 grains of separation between loads.  I want to be able to shoot  the higher wider node but have yet to dial it in.  Should I just keep trying different seating depths or are some nodes just flat spots that wont group?  The lower node at 71.3 has been tough to repeat.  Last time out shot it at .75 MOA.  Could just be me.  At this point all I have done is chrono the load range I wanted to use.  Then loaded up 3-5 round of the flat spots identified by the chrono.  Then tried different seating depths.  Would running a ladder test at 400 do me any good at this point or keep working on seating depths.  Thought I had that figured out by the higher node has been tricky to figure out what it wants.  loaded some up from .015 off to .060 off the lands to try.  If that doesnt work its back to the drawing board.

[Biggerhammer]

I don’t do any load testing under 300 yards.

[hogslayer]

What bullet?  If it’s a vld I would try .005 in the lands and work back.  Usually .003 off to .003 in works good for Berger VLD’s.  “Flat Spots” in velocity doesn’t always line up with best accuracy node.  I have many targets that show other wise.  I can get rough ideas at 100 before I take it to 300 if that’s all I have to work with.  I have had groups at 100 that were .2” but fell apart at 1k on paper. Same with loads that shoot good at 100 then test them at 300.  I would find seating depth first then do a ladder at 400.  Or two ladders at 400 .3-.5 grains apart. I would only do this if you have shot good groups at that distance.  Otherwise your stuck with shooting groups at 100 and look for the rise and fall then plateau of consecutive groups.

[Crunchy]

Yes VLDs I started 010 off and that was the money spot on this rifle before the new barrel and action truing.  I willl throw a few in there at .005 off and see how that works.  Hope this next trip to the range solidifies something.

[Crunchy]

What bullet?  If it’s a vld I would try .005 in the lands and work back.  Usually .003 off to .003 in works good for Berger VLD’s.  “Flat Spots” in velocity doesn’t always line up with best accuracy node.  I have many targets that show other wise.  I can get rough ideas at 100 before I take it to 300 if that’s all I have to work with.  I have had groups at 100 that were .2” but fell apart at 1k on paper. Same with loads that shoot good at 100 then test them at 300.  I would find seating depth first then do a ladder at 400.  Or two ladders at 400 .3-.5 grains apart. I would only do this if you have shot good groups at that distance.  Otherwise your stuck with shooting groups at 100 and look for the rise and fall then plateau of consecutive groups.

I shoot all my groups of 5 at 200 to give me a better baseline. 

[jasnt]

Definitely work on seating depth. With an single digit es it’s not the powder charge.