Load Development Advise and Comments

browning442 said:

Will the seating depth changes generally show in the velocity ES & SD, or are the results going to be told by the target?

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Both but typically it's adjusted to shrink groups. To try to help sd and es I'd try moving the charge weight in tenths of a grain. Also just being very consistent in your reloading techniques and using good equipment will help sd and es

If you really want to nerd out on this sh#t, put it on a charge weight vs velocity graph and compare it to your target grouping, it's pretty telling and they can each confirm the other?!

browning442 said:

Say i choose 62.5 and play with seating depth... my loaded coal was 3.490" on the original group. I think i can go up to 3.510" or so... would you load a couple nodes of 3 shots at .010 increments above and below the 3.490 mark?

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I would get the tools to measure exactly where the bullet your using touches the lands in your rifle and start there then work back in .020 increments. Say your touching lands at 3.500, I would load 5 at 3.500, 5 at 3.480, 5 at 3.460 and ect till you get to .080 off. I would shoot 4 at a time, this helps account for shooter error. If you group 3 out of 4 chances are the one out of the group was you and save the 5th shot for when you know you pulled or made a mistake or when you group 3 out of 4 shoot the 5th for a verification that it groups with the 3 shot group.

Definitely going to nerd out, I'm quite nerdy with excel.

Lonewolf - that sounds like a good plan. Now just either need to make or find a 280 AI modified case somewhere. I also watched a video showing how a fire formed modified case can be more accurate in determining max COAL touching the lands... actually made sense to me. Guess i should just get the drill and tap and get going.

L.Sherm said:

I had similar groups during load development using RL26 in a 280AI using 162eldxs. I couldn't get rid of what I call the 2-1 a little bit of a flyer no matter what I did until I switched to RL23.

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Sherm I may have to try that. How did your velocities compare? When i was shooting my 280 REM with RL 26 the other day, i actually had 3 shots that went virtually one hole, and the fourth was like 2" to the right! Maybe I need to look more at RL 23.

The velocity was the same with RL26 and RL23

Bought two lbs today of the 23.... locally at scheels for 22.99 a pound. 5 bucks cheaper than all the other alliant powders. Hope I can eliminate my fliers

Amongst all the rage about es/sd, I suggest Work on group size, with a decent powder/bullet/primer combination and consistent reloading practice your es/Sd should be around 30/10 which is plenty good for 1000yard shots.

Canhunter35 said:

Amongst all the rage about es/sd, I suggest Work on group size, with a decent powder/bullet/primer combination and consistent reloading practice your es/Sd should be around 30/10 which is plenty good for 1000yard shots.

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Those powder charges seem high my 280ai shot the 168 classic hunters into one hole reloader 23 58.5 grains like a foul I sold it wanted a lighter rifle 2890 fps

wsq said:

Those powder charges seem high my 280ai shot the 168 classic hunters into one hole reloader 23 58.5 grains like a foul I sold it wanted a lighter rifle 2890 fps

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Why did u quote me?