load testing non result: any ideas?

[emn83]

so, I took the rifle out today to do some initial testing, just to see what she can handle, max load wise. Found out, that the temperature of the powder really makes a difference, and so does distance shot. I am shooting a .308 win, here are the specs on the load(s)

Hornady brass
Federal GM210M primers
Berger 155gr Hunting VLD
Varget (40-47 grains)


The tempurature today was 34 degrees when I was shooting, it was about an hour from when I started to when I finished, fired 17 rounds total. I was only shooting 100 yards. Today I was planning to see what my max load was, as well as do an informal initial ladder. since I was using an extreme powder, I was hoping that the later cartridges cooling over time wouldn't have that big a difference. I was wrong.

Here's my target:

obviously, there,s no real usable data from the target. In addition, looking at my brass, I got a very slight ejector mark at 46.0 grains, but that was it for pressure signs. I think I learned my lesson, I think I'll be waiting till it's warmer to do load testing for real, in 5 months.

putting 17 rounds in a 1.52 inch group at 100 yards, when there's a 7 grain spread in powder charge, has me questioning my sanity a bit

 

[green 788]

It's just a good rifle, and good bullets... and the powder charges are all working well.

I would do an OCW work up... then you'll really find out what's going on... you can find my OCW page from the bangsteel site linked below... there's a link on OCW consulting page... the system works.

Dan

 

[emn83]

It's just a good rifle, and good bullets... and the powder charges are all working well.

I would do an OCW work up... then you'll really find out what's going on... you can find my OCW page from the bangsteel site linked below... there's a link on OCW consulting page... the system works.

Dan

Thanks for the advice! with how the target racks are at my range, it's hard to set up multiples to do an OCW, that's why I was thinking about doing a ladder. Thinking that if that wide a range in powder charges gets me that group, when I find the sweet spot, the rifle is really going to shine

 

[Joe King]

Since you saw ejector marks at 46gr, I would just back off 2% which is 45gr and go with it, I bet when your seating depth is sorted out and you find the primer it likes, it'll drive tacks. Trying warm temps with a Hodgdon extreme probably won't show you much. I'm also betting that you would have seen similar results at 80*

 

[4ester]

How do you complete a ladder test at 100 yards?

Thats way too close if you are trying to find a node.

 

[emn83]

How do you complete a ladder test at 100 yards?

Thats way too close if you are trying to find a node.

yeah, I'm backing it up for the real test. was more just curious. My range goes out to 450, so, I'm planning a 300 yard test in the future

 

[emn83]

so, I'm thinking, since I saw that ejector mark at 46, to use that as my top end MAX load. I have tomorrow off, so I was thinking about going out and shooting some 3 shot groups with 44.4-45.8gr, loading .2gr increments. From there, I'd take the top 3 for grouping, and do some more testing. what do you all think?