Extreme spread and standard deviation vs accuracy

Hey folks, I'm working on my first load ever and and running into an interesting problem I can't seem to find answers for.

I started with 3 loads out of the Hornady reloading vol.10 book and the very first group of 5 was touching, the second group of 5 had 4 almost in the same hole and one flyer that made the group almost 1". I'm shooting 143gr ELD-X out of a 6.5PRC savage ultralight with the proof carbon wrapped barrel.

Chronograph only caught 4 of 5 and didn't work at all the first group 51.6gr IMR4831

2774
2788
2797
2750

BUT when I tried a hotter load with the most consistent velocity out of the 3, it gave me 1 inch groups both times. 52.7gr IMR4831

2892
2885
2885
2886
2883


2876
2874
2877
2877
2905

I'm totally stumped. I'm thinking building a ladder off of the first load to try to minimize es and SD, is this the right course of action? Or do I build off of the one with consistent velocity and hope to find a node there?
Are you turning your necks? If so, play with neck tension first, then play with seating depth. (52.7gr)
 
Hey folks, I'm working on my first load ever and and running into an interesting problem I can't seem to find answers for.

I started with 3 loads out of the Hornady reloading vol.10 book and the very first group of 5 was touching, the second group of 5 had 4 almost in the same hole and one flyer that made the group almost 1". I'm shooting 143gr ELD-X out of a 6.5PRC savage ultralight with the proof carbon wrapped barrel.

Chronograph only caught 4 of 5 and didn't work at all the first group 51.6gr IMR4831

2774
2788
2797
2750

BUT when I tried a hotter load with the most consistent velocity out of the 3, it gave me 1 inch groups both times. 52.7gr IMR4831

2892
2885
2885
2886
2883


2876
2874
2877
2877
2905

I'm totally stumped. I'm thinking building a ladder off of the first load to try to minimize es and SD, is this the right course of action? Or do I build off of the one with consistent velocity and hope to find a node there?
try Superformance. Offhand the charge escapes me I think its around 59.1. but I get 2992 fps average out of a 5 shot group with and SD of 4.5.the 5 shot group 1/2' measure to the outside not with bullet diameter subtracted as in Benchrest. i tried many powders this was the most consistent.
 
I have a 6.5 PRC load with Staball HD out of a Browning Hells Canyon with a 26" barrel the shoots well under 1/2" MOA. at 2992 fps average ,charge weight of 59.7 COL for me is 2.8645. I've tried US869 and many others ,most with fair results but this at out to 530 yards groups best by far. at 530 Only 2-2 1/2" in height left to right was fro 6" to 8 1/2 " with no wind hold. this load is going on my Elk Hunt in a few weeks. hey give it a try, play with your charge weight and good luck.
 
Hey folks, I'm working on my first load ever and and running into an interesting problem I can't seem to find answers for.

I started with 3 loads out of the Hornady reloading vol.10 book and the very first group of 5 was touching, the second group of 5 had 4 almost in the same hole and one flyer that made the group almost 1". I'm shooting 143gr ELD-X out of a 6.5PRC savage ultralight with the proof carbon wrapped barrel.

Chronograph only caught 4 of 5 and didn't work at all the first group 51.6gr IMR4831

2774
2788
2797
2750

BUT when I tried a hotter load with the most consistent velocity out of the 3, it gave me 1 inch groups both times. 52.7gr IMR4831

2892
2885
2885
2886
2883


2876
2874
2877
2877
2905

I'm totally stumped. I'm thinking building a ladder off of the first load to try to minimize es and SD, is this the right course of action? Or do I build off of the one with consistent velocity and hope to find a node there?
Low SD/ES has much more to do, with brass prep, and loading quility. Your accuracy/group size is influenced more on the consistent release/ exit of the bullet. Consistent release of the bullet when fired. Petey308 has a lot of info on this ES/ED information. Also in setting or placement your bullet.
 
I do not have a 6.5 PRC, but I have a .264 WM, and the IMR 4831 is one of the recommended powders that Hornady recommends. It would not be my first choice of powder or bullet, but it is no slouch. While we can recommend different powders, the OP is in Canada and might not have the same powder accessibility (or cost-effectiveness) as in the US.
IMR 4831 has one of the highest veloicty spread in temp changes. It's about 1fps per degree in temperatures change.
 
Learn how to do load development. All your doing is taking shots in the dark. Do a ladder, find pressure and find a speed node to start with. Then test jump from there. Then adj charge again, then jump again, etc if needed. Look up OCW and Satterly load development.
 
I use H1000 with CCI BR primers starting with low powder charge at 20 thou off the lands I landed at 55 thousands off the lands.I then started working the powder in 1/2 gr increments my end result was a muzzle velocity of 3025fps no pressure signs. I shot 3 two shot groups back to back .279, .280, .283. Sorry I can give my powder charge but I'm no home at the moment and my part-timers is kicking in. Must have lost that. 279 photo, my apologies.
 

Attachments

  • 20220519_175901 (1) (1).jpg
    20220519_175901 (1) (1).jpg
    172.9 KB · Views: 31
  • 20220519_180126 (1) (1).jpg
    20220519_180126 (1) (1).jpg
    327.3 KB · Views: 29
Good info here for what you're doing. This should help. I run the 144 Berger in mine. 54.5 of H4831SC and CCI250 works great with ADG Brass.

Part1

Part2
 
Last edited:
This has worked for me…

Step 1). Load 1 each (2,3,5,10 doesn't matter much) powder charges at 0.3 to 0.5 grain increments at the closest seat depth to the lands that you will run. Shoot at any distance as long as you do not shoot at a target (do not look at groups) and record velocity up the ladder until you DO see pressure signs (smudge on the back of the case, heavy bolt lift, black smoke around primer, etc…). Graph out the velocities. There will be a node, flat spot, a place where the velocity increased less than the other increments.

Step 2). Choose a powder charge in the center of that node. Load that powder charge, 3 each at seating depths 0.003" increments for a total of at least 30 rounds. Shoot them slowly and carefully at a target set at 100 yards. Select the best group.

Step 3) Now using that seating depth, load 3 each with powder charges in 0.2 and 0.4 grain increments up and down From previous load. Shoot at 100 yards, select the best group.

Step 4) Shoot another 2500 rounds at that powder charge and seating depth. Purchase a new barrel and repeat Steps 1 through 4.

Have Fun!
 
Hey folks, I'm working on my first load ever and and running into an interesting problem I can't seem to find answers for.

I started with 3 loads out of the Hornady reloading vol.10 book and the very first group of 5 was touching, the second group of 5 had 4 almost in the same hole and one flyer that made the group almost 1". I'm shooting 143gr ELD-X out of a 6.5PRC savage ultralight with the proof carbon wrapped barrel.

Chronograph only caught 4 of 5 and didn't work at all the first group 51.6gr IMR4831

2774
2788
2797
2750

BUT when I tried a hotter load with the most consistent velocity out of the 3, it gave me 1 inch groups both times. 52.7gr IMR4831

2892
2885
2885
2886
2883


2876
2874
2877
2877
2905

I'm totally stumped. I'm thinking building a ladder off of the first load to try to minimize es and SD, is this the right course of action? Or do I build off of the one with consistent velocity and hope to find a node there?
Seating depth has more to do with group size than powder charge in general. What are you doing to ensure consistent neck tension? Using a mandrel expander die will solve a lot of inconsistencies.
 
Top