ajkellerusmc
Well-Known Member
BrentM, I conducted a satterlee/ladder test yesterday, posted the results below. Hopefully I did it right, I did find a good velocity node at 60.4gr and looks like I may have had another at 62.3 but shot #11 is goofy because of a drop in velocity. I think the Labradar read it wrong.To me it doesn't matter that much. I always run enough bullet in the case to ensure good concentricity and the cartridge will feed properly. If I am not overly limited in COAL I'll run 20 thou- 50 thou. Velocity is affected but not largely by seating depth unless going extreme to extreme. I have had very good success with 140's at .100 off in several 6.5-284's tho so if you are inclined to test there, I would not discourage it at all.
My Velocity is off the Hodgdon charts as they only show max charge of 57.7gr of H1000 with a 140gr Nosler BT at 2902fps. Berger gave me a starting load of 59.6 to 63.0. I took it up to 62.9gr with slight pressure signs starting to show with primer cratering so I think Im still at safe pressure. Look at my velocity and you will see I'm at 3200fps with 62.9gr. All loads at and above # 6 61.1 were compressed which is interesting when you study the target beginning with shot #6.
Interesting to Me is that shots were climbing until shot 6 and more so shot 7. Shots 7 thru 12 are not much different in vertical dispersion. Is this an Indication of an accuracy node? The target was set at 480yds.
So my conclusion and I would like Yours and others to weigh in as well, is this.
I have a good velocity node at 61.1 to 61.7 ( 3130fps to 3146fps) which is way below the max charge by Berger of 63.0gr so I get decent life out of my brass. looks like I may have another at 62.0 to 62.6 (shots 9,10 & 11 but #11 has the goofy velocity reading.
I welcome your thoughts and suggestions as to where to go next.