First time at the range with my reloads - no one died

[Left_to_ Lobster]

First: a big thank you to those in this community for all the help with getting into reloading.

Rifle: Ruger M77 Hawkeye FTW in .30-06
Glass: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4x12
Brass: new Starline
Primers: WLR
Bullets: Accubond 165 gr
Powder: IMR 4064
Starting load: 47.0 gr
End load 50.4 gr
Max load: 52 gr.
3 rounds per group
Reloaded in groups every 0.3 gr.
Ogive used: 2.689"
OAL used: 3.315"
Distance: 100y

I bore snaked with CLP after every group. I shot two groups.

My best group was 50.4 gr. My second best was I think was 47.0 gr. I dumped my groups in the Ballistic-X. I put those in the Imgur link below. Pretty happy overall. What's your thoughts?

 

[Deleted member 103481]

Congrats, it's a great feeling

 

[Sockeye66]

First: a big thank you to those in this community for all the help with getting into reloading.

Rifle: Ruger M77 Hawkeye FTW in .30-06
Glass: Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4x12
Brass: new Starline
Primers: WLR
Bullets: Accubond 165 gr
Powder: IMR 4064
Starting load: 47.0 gr
End load 50.4 gr
3 rounds per group
Reloaded in groups every 0.3 gr.
Ogive used: 2.689"
OAL used: 3.315"
Distance: 100y

I bore snaked with CLP after every group. I shot two groups.

My best group was 50.4 gr. My second best was I think was 47.0 gr. I dumped my groups in the Ballistic-X. I put those in the Imgur link below. Pretty happy overall. What's your thoughts?

I think a chronograph would be helpful to see what kind of speed you were generating as charges and pressure increased. Imr 4064 shoots well in my 30/06 but it doesn't get used much. If you plan on using the AB for hunting its a great bullet and the 165 BT can be used for cheaper load development although don't assume it as a direct replacement. Keep an eye out for pressure signs.

 

[Left_to_ Lobster]

I actually picked up a chronograph. I didn't want to try shooting my first reloads and trying to set up a chronograph for the first time. That's my next trip.

I updated my original post. My max powder loading for this combo in my Lyman book is 52 gr. I checked my cases during the groups I shot for signs of pressure (watched YouTube videos on that subject). All looked good in every group.

I am going to load up 10 rounds of my two best groups and chronograph 5 and shoot a group of 5 at the target. The range isnt setup to allow be to setup a chronograph while I shoot from a bench.

winner gets to be my load for hunting. I'll load up a box worth and move on to the next gun lol. Good approach?

 

[Buster Hemlock]

Congratulations on getting into reloading! It's satisfying loading your own ammo and gives you a lot more options too. As far as your approach there are two schools of thought on finding the right load for your gun, find a powder charge and then tune seat depth or find seat depth and then work up your powder charge. I've done both ways and I believe it's really all personal preference because you can arrive at the same place either way. I think once you settle on a powder charge doing a seat depth test similar like Bryan Litz outlines on Bergers website will tighten your groups up if your looking for tighter groups. Also the chronograph will show you a lot about your reloads as well as your shooting when you learn how to use it. Keep at it and congrats again!

 

[Calvin45]

I actually picked up a chronograph. I didn't want to try shooting my first reloads and trying to set up a chronograph for the first time. That's my next trip.

I updated my original post. My max powder loading for this combo in my Lyman book is 52 gr. I checked my cases during the groups I shot for signs of pressure (watched YouTube videos on that subject). All looked good in every group.

I am going to load up 10 rounds of my two best groups and chronograph 5 and shoot a group of 5 at the target. The range isnt setup to allow be to setup a chronograph while I shoot from a bench.

winner gets to be my load for hunting. I'll load up a box worth and move on to the next gun lol. Good approach?

Congrats on entering into this voluntary addiction! And on getting a chronograph. In my mind it is an essential reloader's tool. I bought mine before I even bought a press, never regretted that. All the best!

 

[Left_to_ Lobster]

Well my groups "significantly" opened up on both loads. I think I added variation accidentally. I used brass from the same box, powder from the same bottle, same primers..etc. The variation comes from how I loaded. My first trip I had set my powder dispenser to manual. Essentially dispense a charge, seat the bullet and type in the load again. My second trip I had it set to auto. When I set the pan back on the dispenser the scale zero's and repeats the charge I input previously. While it was dispensing I was seating seating the bullet from the previous load. Since the powder dispenser and the press sit on the same bench I'm guessing movements of the press could through the dispenser off. Thoughts?

I think I need to repeat the process of what I did originally

Best load is still my 50.4 gr

Here's is what chronograph spit out:

50.4 (1.78" 5 shot group)

2732 FPS
2743
2688
2682
2749

48.8 (2.93" 5 shot group)

2629 FPS
2743
2721
2721
2599

Pictures of the groups:



Thoughts?

 

[JMW67]

If it were me I would try some h-4350 or imr 4350 if you have them the hodgdon has been my go to powder for the 06

 

[aushunter1]

Well my groups "significantly" opened up on both loads. I think I added variation accidentally. I used brass from the same box, powder from the same bottle, same primers..etc. The variation comes from how I loaded. My first trip I had set my powder dispenser to manual. Essentially dispense a charge, seat the bullet and type in the load again. My second trip I had it set to auto. When I set the pan back on the dispenser the scale zero's and repeats the charge I input previously. While it was dispensing I was seating seating the bullet from the previous load. Since the powder dispenser and the press sit on the same bench I'm guessing movements of the press could through the dispenser off. Thoughts?

I think I need to repeat the process of what I did originally

Best load is still my 50.4 gr

Here's is what chronograph spit out:

50.4 (1.78" 5 shot group)

2732 FPS
2743
2688
2682
2749

48.8 (2.93" 5 shot group)

2629 FPS
2743
2721
2721
2599

Pictures of the groups:



Thoughts?

Well done for laying down your first set loads, Im glad to see you went to 5 shots after starting with 3, its the only way to fully get an understanding what is going on.

So if you have a look at your crony results you can see there is quite a large spread, I would be looking at that straight away & trying to reduce this as it will be affecting your results.

Have a look at your brass prep process, neck tension etc.

Ok, rereading you say its the powder dispenser, you will definitely get overcharges if your using the press when dispensing, but you should see this on the display, don't you have a digital display on the dispenser??

I have a RCBS CMC & I can see if I get a few more granules in the pan by the display. I just remove then to get the scale back to where it should be.
If you cant do that then change your process, charge all your cases before you start seating.

 

[snox801]

Nice I've also just got into reloading. I've done a decent amount but all at my brothers as we split the cost of components. He live in a different state so it makes it tough. It sure is fun.
Only thing that stood out was wiping down after each group. I would not do that. Your first shot after a wipe down will always be off heck maybe the first two. I always light clean before load work then shoot3-5 to get things back IN line. Then do my ladders

 

[jdyoung]

Well my groups "significantly" opened up on both loads. I think I added variation accidentally. I used brass from the same box, powder from the same bottle, same primers..etc. The variation comes from how I loaded. My first trip I had set my powder dispenser to manual. Essentially dispense a charge, seat the bullet and type in the load again. My second trip I had it set to auto. When I set the pan back on the dispenser the scale zero's and repeats the charge I input previously. While it was dispensing I was seating seating the bullet from the previous load. Since the powder dispenser and the press sit on the same bench I'm guessing movements of the press could through the dispenser off. Thoughts?

I think I need to repeat the process of what I did originally

Best load is still my 50.4 gr

Here's is what chronograph spit out:

50.4 (1.78" 5 shot group)

2732 FPS
2743
2688
2682
2749

48.8 (2.93" 5 shot group)

2629 FPS
2743
2721
2721
2599

Pictures of the groups:



Thoughts?

Way to go , your doin ok. Reads like you're getting a bit excited about shooting/reloading. Slow down. Don't go too fast , especially during reloading.
Also from your text , are you using an electronic scale/dispenser ? One thing I learned with those is to use a battery backup/ surge protector. It stabilizes the electric power going into the chip in the scale/dispenser. The faster a computer chip is, the more susceptible it is to power fluctuations.
My reload room is next to the gas furnace. Every time the furnace came on while dispensing powder, the screen would show Error. No flickering of lights , it didn't bother anything else. So I added an AEC backup with surge. Fixed the problem. And make sure the scale is level in all directions.
You might want to consider a good barrel cleaning to remove some built up fouling.

 

[Buster Hemlock]

Well my groups "significantly" opened up on both loads. I think I added variation accidentally. I used brass from the same box, powder from the same bottle, same primers..etc. The variation comes from how I loaded. My first trip I had set my powder dispenser to manual. Essentially dispense a charge, seat the bullet and type in the load again. My second trip I had it set to auto. When I set the pan back on the dispenser the scale zero's and repeats the charge I input previously. While it was dispensing I was seating seating the bullet from the previous load. Since the powder dispenser and the press sit on the same bench I'm guessing movements of the press could through the dispenser off. Thoughts?

I think I need to repeat the process of what I did originally

Best load is still my 50.4 gr

Here's is what chronograph spit out:

50.4 (1.78" 5 shot group)

2732 FPS
2743
2688
2682
2749

48.8 (2.93" 5 shot group)

2629 FPS
2743
2721
2721
2599

Pictures of the groups:



Thoughts?

From my experience, take that for what it's worth......Your large velocity spread is something in your reloading process. However I've had loads that showed 100 fps ES and you could cover a 5 shot group with a nickel at 100 yards. The speed difference turns up as more vertical at distance, not at 100 yards. Is everything on the rifle tightened to spec and is the barrel actually free floated? That much dispersion at 100 isn't just due to inconsistent velocity, again just that's from my experience.

Also just was thinking is the rifle heavily fouled or is there the dreaded carbon ring in your rifles throat? These things can also cause some velocity differences and hurt accuracy.

 

[Savage16Hunter]

If it were me I would try some h-4350 or imr 4350 if you have them the hodgdon has been my go to powder for the 06

Second on the H4350 for 30-06. Also, try Fed 210 or Gold Medal 210M primers instead of the WLR. I have had much better results with the Federal primers over the Winchester in my 30-06 and 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Savage16Hunter]

Also, keep in mind what your goals are for each load and gun. You mention that you are looking for a "hunting load", so a goal of 1-1.5 MOA is a reasonable one for the 30-06 if you are going to be keeping your hunting range below 400 yards. It's easy to get carried away with all the tricks and tools for maximizing accuracy that you will see discussed on this forum. What I did for prepping 6.5 Creedmoor loads for my heavyweight Savage LRP for 1000 yard matches (0.2 - 0.3 MOA) is way over-kill for my 6.5 Creedmoor loads for my Savage16 Lightweight for hunting (0.8 - 1.0 MOA). I don't know how experienced a shooter you are, but your actual shooting technique could be a significant cause of your group variability. You've got some lateral dispersion as well as vertical dispersion in your groups, so could wind have been a factor when you were shooting?