building a load

[Rkripler]

I am in the process of trying to build a load for my 28 Nosler. I am working up to different loads one being the 180 grain vld's and the other the 195's. I recently went out yesterday and shot several different loads in each group. I was testing using a megneto speed chronograph at 100 yards as that is all I have right now. Each load was done in groups of three. I found some loads that where my S/D was with the 180's was 1 but did not group the best. When I shot the 195's, my best S/D was 5.7 but my best group was at 26.1 S/D. My question is should I try and stay with the load that gives the best numbers or stay with what groups the best. I know this my sound like a dumb question to some so I am sorry but I am new and trying to learn as much as I can from people who have the experience. I don't want to waste time and money in chasing the wrong thing. I have not tried moving on or off the lands yet either. These have all been .020 off. The rifle is a custom Defiance action with a #4 brux barrel with 1-8.5 twist 26" long. The 180's I am using ccr 250 primers with between 80.2-80.4 grains of h1000. I am getting anywhere from 3170-3192fps with the 180's.
Here where my 3 3 shot groups with the 180's
80.2 grains h1000
3185, 3186, 3170
80.3 grains h1000
3182, 3190, 3187
80.4 grains h1000
3192, 3190, 3192
The 195's I am using Fed 215M with 85.0-85.3 grains of RL 33. I am getting 3105-3139 fps with the 195's. The four 3 shot groups with the 195's are as follows:
85.0 grains of RL33
3132, 3117, 3132
85.1 grains of RL33
3108, 3116, 3105
85.2 grains of RL33
3087, 3139, 3118
85.3 grains of RL33
3138, 3110, 3129
Any info or feed back would be great.

 

[Kmccord]

Tagging in, I want to hear how some with more experience work up a load.

 

[Predator 22]

Going in .1gr increments you will have half of your barrel life gone before you find a load. I would use .3 to .5gr increments and 10 to 15 thou off the lands to start. Their are several different methods to work up a load. My next load work up will be at 300 yards with one shot per charge weight and look for a flat spot in the velocity with the least vertical dispertion.

 

[Rkripler]

I already worked up loads with greater spreads and narrowed them down to the most recent charge weights. What do you mean by a flat spot in the velocity?

 

[Predator 22]

A point where you have the least velocity difference between different charge weights.

 

[Rhovee]

I have a 28 nosler. There seems to be a known node of around 3050-60. And one up higher than your running. I would drop down 2 grains. Shoot .3 increaments At 300-600 yard ladder. Either 15 or 20 thou off seems to be where the 195 likes it. I just did this last weekend. I am shooting N570. But 79.6-80.4 had same velocity. But 79.6-80.2 shot no vertical and a 1.75" group all horizontal with a 8mph 90 degree wind. But when I hit 80.4 the shot on the ladder jumped 4" vertical and had same velocity. I bet you would end up in the lower third of your velocity node.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Ive tried having a magnetospeed on the barrel while shooting groups and I think it affects the barrel harmonics. What I've been doing is shoot the different charge weights for groups and when I settle on a charge weight and bullet seating depth, then I measure the velocity with the Mag-speed.

 

[mobenzowner]

Ive tried having a magnetospeed on the barrel while shooting groups and I think it affects the barrel harmonics. What I've been doing is shoot the different charge weights for groups and when I settle on a charge weight and bullet seating depth, then I measure the velocity with the Mag-speed.

It sure affects the group sizes on mine. Got a labradar 2 days ago. Cant wait to try it out. Not bashing the magnetospeed at all, it is great at what it does.