Thought I would share the results of my load testing for one of my service rifles. The one I used for this testing is a CLE service rifle with a SS Douglas barrel having a 1/8" twist. The rear sight is one of Frank's 1/4 MOA with a .036" insert. All testing was done on the same day at 100 yards, shooting prone with a sling. Slight to medium wind blowing from left to right.
For each test load I shot 3 strings of 5 rounds, switching magazines between each string. I let the rifle cool some after I finished shooting one group of 3 strings.  All loads used various weights of Reloader-15 sitting under a 69gr. SMK. bullet using WCC brass and CCI BR4 primers. COAL was 2.250". Each charge was dropped into a scale pan and then weighed.  For the most part, the ES stayed below 50 with a couple at or below 20.

23.5gr	String 1	String 2	String 3
One	2675	2713	2713
Two	2739	2747	2728
Three	2749	2743	2717
Four	2739	2756	2724
Five	2739	2721	2719
High	2749	2756	2728
Low	2675	2713	2713
ES	74	43	15
Mean	2728	2736	2728
SD	30	30	20
24.1gr	String 1	String 2	String 3
One	2735	2794	2793
Two	2795	2784	2771
Three	2753	2769	2762
Four	2785	2775	2774
Five	2785	2790	2795
High	2795	2794	2795
Low	2735	2769	2762
ES	60	25	33
Mean	2770	2782	2779
SD	25	10	14
24.4gr	String 1	String 2	String 3
One	2831	2790	2810
Two	2813	2833	2834
Three	2807	2818	2865
Four	2799	2809	2838
Five	2818	2823	2844
High	2831	2833	2865
Low	2799	2790	2810
ES	32	43	55
Mean	2813	2814	2838
SD	12	16	19
24.7gr	String 1	String 2	String 3
One	2905	2857	2833
Two	2873	2853	2856
Three	2852	2864	2871
Four	2857	2866	2858
Five	2858	2880	2850
High	2905	2880	2871
Low	2852	2853	2833
ES	53	27	38
Mean	2869	2864	2853
SD	21	10	13
25.3gr	String 1	String 2	String 3
One	2881	2912	2889
Two	2909	2914	2932
Three	2911	2925	2915
Four	2916	2910	2930
Five	2928	2928	2927
High	2928	2928	2932
Low	2881	2910	2889
ES	47	18	43
Mean	2909	2918	2919
SD	17	8	18

Some pictures of the targets with load data written on them:





More testing coming up!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I was runing 24.5 of RL15 in pmc brass, cci 400 and 69 SMK. good stuff right there. GOOD groups man!!!!!!!!

Looks like the 24.1 group is the best but I would like to see even that 15 round group shrink by allot before deciding on a load.

Good work though.

Are you using a crimp of any kind? if so i would load the next one without a crimp.

Are you deburring the flash holes and what sizing die are you using?

Those look like eight pounders.You will be our expert by the time those are done.

All rounds were loaded using an RCBS Rock Chucker with RCBS .223 Competition FL dies.  For this testing I setup the die for no crimp as I wasn't worried about set back.  The cases were trimmed to length, the case mouth neck chamfered and the flash hole deburred.



I'm thinking the same about the 24.1gr load - looks to be the most accurate for the tested rifle, I just need to work on shrinking the group size down some.





 

Quoted:




Actually, each container is five pounds.  I try to buy in bulk when I mail order powder to save on the handling and hazmat fees.  But it should be enough for me to at least get an idea of what load works





 

ADJUSTING COL SOMETIMES HELPS. THATS ONE MORE VARIABLE TO PLAY WITH.

Try 24gr's even at 2.260" COl and see if that tightens things up a little for you.

Good luck,
EWP

Aero,



I was very surprised by the results as well.  After seeing the first two groups, I thought the heavier loads would really put a smile on my face.  And you are right, my eyes (and elbow) were getting tired by the time I started the 25.3 group.  What really surprised me the most was the velocity of the last group.  Based on my 5th edition Sierra reloading guide, I was trying to duplicate their 25.3 load.  The chart shows 2750, so I was thinking I would land somewhere between 2750 and 2800.  I was really surprised to see almost every shot above 2900.  Now I'm glad I stayed away from the 25.7 max load (which shows 2800 fps in the chart).



I'll start out next time at 25.0 grains and work down to 24.0.
 

I did a similar thing with the 52 grain SMK in my M&P-15 VTEC 1:7 and found that the sweet spot was 24.0 grains.  Gone as high as 27 grains but was getting flat primers with my CCI400s.

I just loaded some Nosler 69gn CC with RE15 and CCI400 primers, working up a new load.  

I hope to make it to the range tomorrow to see how these loads worked out.


loaded 10 of each...

24.4gn
24.7gn
25.0gn

2.255 OAL

Hope to post results tomorrow.

Great - I would like to compare results, especially the 25.0gn





 

I dont have a crono, but Ill post up the groupings....

maybe santa will be good to me this year!

well I made it to the range today and was a bit disappointed in the loads I worked up.  

I loaded

Re15 with Nosler 69gn CC with CCI400 primers, all PMC brass.

25.0 - 24.7 - 24.4

Out of the 3 loaded the 24.7 was the best but still out of sub MOA range.  Alliant does show max being 25.5, I might work up closer to max to see if anything changes for the better.  

I was going to take pictures but after I shot my rounds I had a lady next to me claim my target as hers and trashed the photo opportunity.  Ill be out again.  

So far out of my rifle and with the 69gn Noslers, H335 powder has been the best for me.