Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
280ai load development (continues)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="VinceMule" data-source="post: 2601844" data-attributes="member: 122164"><p>JD, there are a lot of ways to skin a cat, and I am certainly not the last word.</p><p></p><p>I will share this system that I use, and I am sure that there is room for improvement.</p><p></p><p>With a little search, I will see what are the seating depth characteristics that a particular bullet likes, if I do not have any personal experience.</p><p></p><p>With the 168g vld hunting, I started .020 off the lands with my new 27", 9T barrel</p><p></p><p>Then I worked upwards in my powder charges, shooting two shot groups, I was seeking to find pressure. This "finding pressure" gives me some critical insight in brass life, and also, most rifles will shoot their most accurate within 2.0g of their max load.</p><p></p><p>OK, now that I have worked up the loads and found pressure, I may have some keen idea of the proper powder charges or a spread to work with. Now I go to 3 shot groups.</p><p></p><p>Once I have the most accurate powder charge, I will start tweaking the seating depth.</p><p></p><p>I start with a solid "touch" on the lands, and it is amazing how many times this depth is the most accurate, but you never know till you try, and every barrel you ever own will be different...humbling to say the least.</p><p></p><p>I will shoot two or three shot groups, and I will vary seating dept in .003-.005 increments back from firm contact with the lands. This will often try your patience, be patient and keep solid notes. Be methodical in your efforts and record-keeping. Once you find the "jump" a particular bullet likes, you can maintain that jump, and at the same time, you are doing your testing, you will also discover a spread in distances so that your load may stay in tune.</p><p></p><p>I am looking for small groups on my custom hunting rifles less than 3/8", and Stock Rem 700's bedded, free-floated, good triggers and scopes more often than not will shoot tiny groups!''</p><p></p><p>Finally, after powder charge and seating depth have been established, If I am not satisfied by getting bug hole groups, then I will switch out primers. As long as I have been using this method, I am humbled by what Primer I thought was best to find out that I really had no clue. Primers can make a HUGE difference in groups when you are looking to get groups that simply open up a bullet hole.</p><p></p><p>This method was taught to me by Joe Wagner, an old German Gunsmith, and it has proved to be spot on.</p><p></p><p>We all have to deal with the wind. When you have wind blowing in your face, this condition presents some changes in shot placement as it switches from left to right.</p><p></p><p>Shooting of a cheap bi pod can also give skewed results, depending on the accuracy you are looking for.</p><p></p><p>JD, may I suggest that you go to a cci 250 vs the BR2 if you have them.</p><p></p><p>Also, in my 280 AI, 9T,168g I am shooting very close to a max charge of IMR 7828, and the Federal 210 has the bullets all touching at 100 yards. I have the 168's, .003 off the lands. I also form my brass from Lapua 30/06 brass, leaving me with a shortish neck, and clean the carbon build up out of the neck of the chamber with a 38 cal pistol brush when I clean.</p><p></p><p>Also, hold down the forearm when you shoot, do not let a finger touch the barrel, and this is a tremendous issue...hard lesson learned.</p><p></p><p>Best of luck to you! Love to follow your results!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="VinceMule, post: 2601844, member: 122164"] JD, there are a lot of ways to skin a cat, and I am certainly not the last word. I will share this system that I use, and I am sure that there is room for improvement. With a little search, I will see what are the seating depth characteristics that a particular bullet likes, if I do not have any personal experience. With the 168g vld hunting, I started .020 off the lands with my new 27", 9T barrel Then I worked upwards in my powder charges, shooting two shot groups, I was seeking to find pressure. This "finding pressure" gives me some critical insight in brass life, and also, most rifles will shoot their most accurate within 2.0g of their max load. OK, now that I have worked up the loads and found pressure, I may have some keen idea of the proper powder charges or a spread to work with. Now I go to 3 shot groups. Once I have the most accurate powder charge, I will start tweaking the seating depth. I start with a solid "touch" on the lands, and it is amazing how many times this depth is the most accurate, but you never know till you try, and every barrel you ever own will be different...humbling to say the least. I will shoot two or three shot groups, and I will vary seating dept in .003-.005 increments back from firm contact with the lands. This will often try your patience, be patient and keep solid notes. Be methodical in your efforts and record-keeping. Once you find the "jump" a particular bullet likes, you can maintain that jump, and at the same time, you are doing your testing, you will also discover a spread in distances so that your load may stay in tune. I am looking for small groups on my custom hunting rifles less than 3/8", and Stock Rem 700's bedded, free-floated, good triggers and scopes more often than not will shoot tiny groups!'' Finally, after powder charge and seating depth have been established, If I am not satisfied by getting bug hole groups, then I will switch out primers. As long as I have been using this method, I am humbled by what Primer I thought was best to find out that I really had no clue. Primers can make a HUGE difference in groups when you are looking to get groups that simply open up a bullet hole. This method was taught to me by Joe Wagner, an old German Gunsmith, and it has proved to be spot on. We all have to deal with the wind. When you have wind blowing in your face, this condition presents some changes in shot placement as it switches from left to right. Shooting of a cheap bi pod can also give skewed results, depending on the accuracy you are looking for. JD, may I suggest that you go to a cci 250 vs the BR2 if you have them. Also, in my 280 AI, 9T,168g I am shooting very close to a max charge of IMR 7828, and the Federal 210 has the bullets all touching at 100 yards. I have the 168's, .003 off the lands. I also form my brass from Lapua 30/06 brass, leaving me with a shortish neck, and clean the carbon build up out of the neck of the chamber with a 38 cal pistol brush when I clean. Also, hold down the forearm when you shoot, do not let a finger touch the barrel, and this is a tremendous issue...hard lesson learned. Best of luck to you! Love to follow your results! [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
280ai load development (continues)
Top