Help me analyse my load data 6.5 4S

[trucraft]

Hi,
Just started loading for my new 6.5 saum.
I would love to get some feed back on my results. While I can see some patterns im not absolutely sure. Im also not convinced that my RCBS 505 scales are repeating perfectly as i reweighed a couple of charges that I didn't shoot and they a few kernels out.
I decided to start off and do a Scott Satterlee style load development.
However I have loaded 2 round of each charge weight so as to gather more info and fireform more brass.

Rifle spec is; Bighorn arms action
Bartlein Sendero contour finished at 22"
Manner PRS1, TriggerTech Special and DPT suppressor.
Brass is new Norma 7 saum, neck turned and fully prepped by me.
This has a little longer freebore than the Gap spec so I could shoot the Eld-x.

I did my barrel breakin with 10 or so rounds using 58grns H1000. Av 2750FPS
I'm using a Magneto Chrono.

I then started off with 140grn Hybrids kissing the lands and H1000.
I only loaded to 61.5gr as that was published max. No pressure signs.
59.2, 2785 & 2816
59.4, 2817 & 2804
59.6, 2830 & 2824
59.8, 2838 & 2857
60, 2871 & 2855
60.2, 2827 & 2844
60.4 2855 & 2857
60.6, 2866 & 2869
60.8, 2886 & 2902
61, 2908 & 2894
61.2, 2997 & 2923
61.4, 2966 & 2951
61.6, 2995 & 2948

Eld-x 143grn and H1000, kissing the lands. No pressure signs.
59.4, 2890 & 2903
59.6, 2897 & 2911
59.8, 2899 & 2911
60, 2918 & 2946
60.2, 2945 & 2948

I also had a handful of Elite Hunters and as they are almost identical to the Hybrids i was keen to shoot some 3 shot groups.
EH's 140grn & H1000
61.2, 2952/ 2990/ 2991 ES39
61.4, 2988/ 2972/ 2983 ES16
61.5, 2989/ 2986/ 3022 ES36 (slight ejector swipe)

I shot all loads at a different target but apart from the Elite Hunters i wasn't really trying too hard.
I will try to get photos up if that will help.
I feel that there is quite a jump in velocity from one shot to the next on some charges of the same load. Is this quite normal?
I also appreciate that to get the best from this method the reloading and brass prep must be top class.
Is the above info obsolete until I've fireformed my brass and my barrel settles???

I can clearly see the last Eldx load 60.2gr has good ES, i will definitely load a little higher to see if the velocity doesn't jump.
61.4gr with the Elite Hunters also looked ok on paper.

Thanks

 

[JJMoody]

Not to derail your load development practices, but The advice I got when I started on my SAUM was to just load and shoot all the brass to form it up, then get serious about load development. Maybe I was lucky but running 61 grains of h1000 .020 off with 140 hybrids shot way better than I did. 26" Christensen carbon bbl ran around 3100fps.

 

[trucraft]

Not to derail your load development practices, but The advice I got when I started on my SAUM was to just load and shoot all the brass to form it up, then get serious about load development. Maybe I was lucky but running 61 grains of h1000 .020 off with 140 hybrids shot way better than I did. 26" Christensen carbon bbl ran around 3100fps.

Hey don't worry about derailing.
I have also read the same thing and am prepared to bin the info I have gathered if necessary. Just thought it made sense to plot and gather data incase it is of use.
I've done load development on 2 other rifles using the more conventional method to 1/2grn increments and looking at groups. I may have been lucky in the past as I found good loads with new brass. However never worried too much about extreme spreads as I wasn't shooting past 400m.

 

[Rick Richard]

By the way, What brass are you using? When doing load development, I could barely get two firings with Hornady brass before the primer pockets got too loose and that was with 59 to 60.5 grains of H1000.

 

[trucraft]

Brass is new Norma 7 saum, neck turned and fully prepped by me.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

Personally I never do load development on virgin brass. If I were you I would just load up 100 rounds of a middle of the road charge weight and go have fun till they're shot.

Once that's done your barrel should be good to go along with formed brass.

 

[L.Sherm]

could barely get two firings with Hornady brass before the primer pockets got too loose and that was with 59 to 60.5 grains of H1000.

This is why Long ago I quite using hornandy brass

 

[Rick Richard]

This is why Long ago I quite using hornandy brass

Yep, now I have been using Bertram brass and it is proving to be much better than the Hornady trash.

 

[JJMoody]

IMHO, all data is valuable, so don't lose heart with it. It just may be that it's not completely applicable after brass is formed.

 

[bob4]

Have to second ( or 3rd) on forming brass before forming an opinion

 

[Mikecr]

I would perform Berger's recommended full seating testing during fire forming.
Then, with best coarse seating identified, and fire formed cases, I'd move to powder with ladder testing. Then, with best powder identified, tweak seating in a 10thou window for tightest group shaping.

 

[trucraft]

I would perform Berger's recommended full seating testing during fire forming.
Then, with best coarse seating identified, and fire formed cases, I'd move to powder with ladder testing. Then, with best powder identified, tweak seating in a 10thou window for tightest group shaping.

Thanks.
I feel this is good advice given what others are saying about firing my virgin brass before proper testing.
I will use my last 25 cases to find the best seating depth.

Another question has arisen in my mind. If I was to do a new velocity test with formed brass as a ladder at say 400m whats the best way to plot my shots in order?
I don't have a spotting scope and am wondering if the coloured sharpy method is reliable?

 

[L.Sherm]

Use white paper and colored sharpies will work

 

[Reloder28]

Yep, now I have been using Bertram brass and it is proving to be much better than the Hornady trash.

I had a similar event with Norma brass during initial load work fro my Borden 300 WSM. Started with middle of the road load to fire form & noticed the recoil seemed quite evident. After fire forming I loaded my first test rounds starting on the low end and the first shot locked the bolt. Called Mr. Borden & he told me to beat the bolt open with a 2x4. He suggested I switch brass brand & try it again. I switched from Norma to Remington which is my preferred standard commercial brass. The gun not only operated as it should thru the entire range of powder charges, it put them all into one hole.

Norma brass has always been my go-to brand. I have other 300 WSM's that function fine with it. Mr. Borden broke out laughing when I told him. He said Norma is notorious for this behavior.