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Posted: 7/27/2012 11:52:58 AM EDT
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Rifle: 308 Win Savage 10 FXP w/ 22" sporter barrel
Stock: BC Medalist A2 Caldwell Bipod, rear sand bag Brass: Virgin WW Primer: Federal 210M Powder:Varget Bullet:168 AMAX OAL:2.2880"(2.240" ogive) **200 Yard Initial Ladder Test and to test actual max load** 93 Degrees: 5-8 mph wind: overcast Load 1: 43.0 2: 43.3 called pull on this shot as soon as it broke 3: 43.6 4: 43.9 5: 44.2 6: 44.5 7: 44.8 8: 45.1 9: 45.4 10: 45.7 11: 46.0 
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I don't know why you went in.3gr increments. When pressure testing medium to large cases I always go in 1gr increments and "read primers". Of course you use your published data too. It's been my experience that when the primer flattens out enough to half fill the gap between the primers radius and the primer pocket it's time to start shooting groups.
I totally agree a chronograph also is a VERY useful tool when doing this because reading primers is not always a 100% science. My 300 Rem. SAUM fooled me. I found my "first group" test load to be 200 f/s OVER max velocity. May just be a short mag thing. IDK? It has also been my experience that most rifles group best near book max. If you really want a challenge, try to work up a match load that is on the velocity minimum side. I did this for my .308 using 168 BTHP. I really didn't need max performance and wanted to reduce recoil. |
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Wow,
Thats what a ladder test is supposed to look like. When I have done them I haven't been able to make a clear choice like you have ( I probably don't shot as well as you ) Seems like #8 would work perfect It would be cool if you repeated the test again and got similar/same results Jerry |
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Quoted:
200 yards is all I had to do this at yesterday gave me a good idea I believe where to start load development Heck yeah!! I love it when my "pressure test" loads group like that. That 6 thru 9 group is great. But it is only about a one grain spread since you were using .3 increments. That should be a fine shooting rifle that you won't have to worry about too much in extreme weather of temperature change. Some rifles just plain out shoot good. I had a .308 match rifle that would tolerate +/- 1 grain from "the sweet spot" and still shoot 1.5" at 100 worst case. This worked out great for me because I could "throw" the stick powder charges (IMR 4064) for my practice ammo with my Uniflow. |
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200 yards is all I had to do this at yesterday gave me a good idea I believe where to start load development Yes, but.... You may want to just try the exact same series and see if the results come close to repeating. Nothing wrong with picking the best from what you see here, but you may want to check again before you bulk up on any particular load. If you only plan to shoot 200 yards, I wouldn't worry about it much. You won't see much dispersion till you go beyond 400. |
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Because if it doesn't repeat then he will have saved bulking up on that load for nothing.
I agree that cluster looks right, but the whole string looks wrong and it was too much vertical for such short range. That means it may all be a fluke. On the other hand, some rigs are funny and the only way to know if he did it right is to get the same results if he does it again. YMMV |
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Quoted:
Because if it doesn't repeat then he will have saved bulking up on that load for nothing. I agree that cluster looks right, but the whole string looks wrong and it was too much vertical for such short range. That means it may all be a fluke. On the other hand, some rigs are funny and the only way to know if he did it right is to get the same results if he does it again. YMMV I must still be missing something. WHAT LOAD? That was 11 different loads (he listed them in the first post) fired 1 round at a time starting with the lightest charge weight. SHORT DISTANCE? Most guys test a 100 yards. These were shot at 200!! I would fully expect a vertical string from loads that are progressively and incrementally loaded hotter. The fact that loads 6 thru 9 grouped so close together is just what the load developer is hoping for. He now has a good idea for where he want to start group testing. |
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It is worth asking next time. The reamer design affects which ogive design performs at optimum at what bullet weight and COAL.
Some reamers favor the light end, some the heavy end of things. The neck diameter is good to control depending on if you turn your necks too. Are you thinking of shooting F Class, other, or just blowing off steam? |
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am thinking about learning more about competition shooting and getting into local matches possibly.
I did have once fired brass that was fired from my Savage factory barrel and tried to chamber it in new barrel to see if I could use it and it would not go in the chamber. FL sized that brass and it still feels barely sticky chambering. Also measured "pressure ring" area on factory BH 168 BTHP brass shot from the savage factory barrel and from the new barrel from same lot of ammo, and factory measurement was 0.472" and new barrel measurement was 0.470". Both heaspace measurements on brass read the same 1.617" What is all this telling me? The new barrel has a tight chamber? Well tighter than the factory Savage was? I did take a few measurements of the FL sized brass at different areas and compared them to the SAAMI 308 win specs drawing and they were right on the money. |
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peligro113: was thinking same but 10 has same vertical POI as 8 & 9? Maybe wind caught it or I pulled it Thought ladder test you looked for strings with same vertical POI? You are right can't hurt to load up another few and try them, I didn't even think about that.  . Are you in N GA, if not where do shoot?
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awesome. I live in Valdosta actually going shooting again tom. Once I get a load worked up I want to go over to Pearson since they have a 800 yard range there I shoot at Southwind on HWY 84 going towards Thomasville Is that the place that charges $10 an hour off exit 2 on I75? I'm interested in your load since that is the bullet weight I also reload for but I didn't have too much time to develop a load before I headed out here but I plan to dedicate a lot of time to it when I get back. ETA: I also go to Waycross to shoot but it's 1 1/2 hours away and they only have a 100yd range. |
Here is groups from this morning to verify 45.7-46.3. Shot @100 yards off bipod. I think I rushed/pulled the 2nd shot in group 2 but oh well. Also shot 1 shot each of 44.3,44.6,44.9 on another target at 100 and had same POI so in theory that is 3% below my high node
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