The Oregonian
Well-Known Member
Did my first ladder ever today....28 Nosler with Nosler brass, 195's, Retumbo, and 215's. Everyone seems to have luck with this powder, round, and bullet, but I can't really make sense of this. But I can't make sense of this. I did the ladder three times, running from low to high once, then twice, then a third time, cooling barrel a few mins between each shot. Never was hot, just warm. Weather was between low 70's and low 80's as morning went on. Shots were at 300 yds today.
Using Fx120i to measure powder (was warm and stayed true to calibration throughout) and using once fired and sized/annealed brass, .003 shoulder bump. .315 neck bushing, .002 under loaded ammo with 195's. Little runout (.002 to .003 on most rounds) but that should matter for velocity. Brass length is under trim to length. Bullets are .015 off lands.
Attached are the results...the test load for this gun came with 3040, 77.5 of Retumbo with EOL loaded ammo, same components. I used that ammo and their LR school and shot well with 3 out of 3 groups at 100 that were sub MOA, with best being sub 1/2. Then when we went longer range (400 to 1800) I shot well and bullets went where they were supposed to, at least vertically.
Trying to get it squared away with my powder/primer/brass/ etc lots. I don't really care if the velocity is 2980 or 3040 as long as it shoots well for my elk hunt in Oct.
What would you make of this? I get pressure signs around 3040-3050 and above...sticky bolt, etc.
Should I run another ladder with lower charges and see what that gets? Should I try another powder? I don't have any other powder for this gun but will get some if that would be the best next move. Would love to get N570 but out of stock everywhere.
I am flummoxed...
Using Fx120i to measure powder (was warm and stayed true to calibration throughout) and using once fired and sized/annealed brass, .003 shoulder bump. .315 neck bushing, .002 under loaded ammo with 195's. Little runout (.002 to .003 on most rounds) but that should matter for velocity. Brass length is under trim to length. Bullets are .015 off lands.
Attached are the results...the test load for this gun came with 3040, 77.5 of Retumbo with EOL loaded ammo, same components. I used that ammo and their LR school and shot well with 3 out of 3 groups at 100 that were sub MOA, with best being sub 1/2. Then when we went longer range (400 to 1800) I shot well and bullets went where they were supposed to, at least vertically.
Trying to get it squared away with my powder/primer/brass/ etc lots. I don't really care if the velocity is 2980 or 3040 as long as it shoots well for my elk hunt in Oct.
What would you make of this? I get pressure signs around 3040-3050 and above...sticky bolt, etc.
Should I run another ladder with lower charges and see what that gets? Should I try another powder? I don't have any other powder for this gun but will get some if that would be the best next move. Would love to get N570 but out of stock everywhere.
I am flummoxed...
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