When to settle on a load?

aOWENc

aOWENc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Messages
138
Location
Indiana
Hello everyone,

I have been working up a load for my antelope hunt this fall. I just started reloading for rifles about 6 months ago and have really been enjoying it, but I'm not sure when to say the accuracy/velocity is acceptable.

I am shooting a 24" 300 Wby Vangaurd S2 in a Bell and Carlson medalist stock, Burris XTR-II, Rugged Suppressor, and Hawkins rings on a 20 MOA rail.

The load I have been working up has been with Norma Brass, 168 Barnes TTSX, RL19 powder, and WLRM primers.

I began my ladder test at 79.0 grains and got average velocity readings of 3074 FPS, I worked up in .5 grain increments and am currently at 83.0 grains. The max charge is 85.5 in the Barnes manual. I was getting really poor accuracy with the lower velocity loads, but once I hit 82 grains it really started to look promising. OAL is 3.560.

83.0 grains produced the group in the photo that I attached. Velocity was 3253 FPS with an extreme spread of 22. I am seeing no pressure signs and the groups have only gotten better as I near the max charge. Would you all continue to go up in charge, or be content with the accuracy/velocity of 83.0?
 

Attachments

  • AFC5BF50-6879-4CDA-9762-ED5746B9EBC9.jpeg
    AFC5BF50-6879-4CDA-9762-ED5746B9EBC9.jpeg
    2.2 MB · Views: 270
Last edited:
wasskeet said:
Being a curious sort, I would continue on up with the ladder. Although, what you have appears to be very good and more than capable. Nowadays - it may depend upon how many supplies you have and time to work on it also.
Click to expand...
That is the other problem. I'm down to 160 large magnum primers left. I'm thinking I better just stay where I'm at continue tweaking when I can get a brick of primers. Thank you for the advice!
 
I'd say your done. If anything, I'd shoot a 2-3 shot group @ 200 just to be sure but that's just me and my weird luck. I've seen groups that looked great @100 spread as I went out but my 200 groups never do and for some weird reason they always track. It's probably just me but worth 2-3 primers
 
Thanks for all the advice! I shot another group today with 83.5 and got almost as good results and velocity went up 30 FPS.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 125
aOWENc said:
Hello everyone,

I have been working up a load for my antelope hunt this fall. I just started reloading for rifles about 6 months ago and have really been enjoying it, but I'm not sure when to say the accuracy/velocity is acceptable.

I am shooting a 24" 300 Wby Vangaurd S2 in a Bell and Carlson medalist stock, Burris XTR-II, Rugged Suppressor, and Hawkins rings on a 20 MOA rail.

The load I have been working up has been with Norma Brass, 168 Barnes TTSX, RL19 powder, and WLRM primers.

I began my ladder test at 79.0 grains and got average velocity readings of 3074 FPS, I worked up in .5 grain increments and am currently at 83.0 grains. The max charge is 85.5 in the Barnes manual. I was getting really poor accuracy with the lower velocity loads, but once I hit 82 grains it really started to look promising. OAL is 3.560.

83.0 grains produced the group in the photo that I attached. Velocity was 3253 FPS with an extreme spread of 22. I am seeing no pressure signs and the groups have only gotten better as I near the max charge. Would you all continue to go up in charge, or be content with the accuracy/velocity of 83.0?
Click to expand...
Well, I would be really proud of that group, especially if it's repeatable.
If it is repeatable I'd say that's hard to beat and call it a day.
On the other hand, if you have ample supply of loading components, keep rollin.
 
Just finished my antelope hunt last week. Of the shootable bucks I saw, nothing was under 400 yds. There was a couple hunts in the same unit before mine, the last one ended the day before mine started. So, if you're on private land, or the first hunt in the area, long range might be 200 yards....but, being antelope, I would shoot a 2 shot group at 3,4,and 500yds to see consistency of point of aim, group, and of course whatever turret adjustments or holdover you use. Plus, do it sitting, or kneeling, . I had tall brush and grass (2' +) that made prone and even sitting impossible at times....but as to that group at that distance, I wouldn't mess with it if it holds at distance...rsbhunter
 
aOWENc said:
Hello everyone,

I have been working up a load for my antelope hunt this fall. I just started reloading for rifles about 6 months ago and have really been enjoying it, but I'm not sure when to say the accuracy/velocity is acceptable.

I am shooting a 24" 300 Wby Vangaurd S2 in a Bell and Carlson medalist stock, Burris XTR-II, Rugged Suppressor, and Hawkins rings on a 20 MOA rail.

The load I have been working up has been with Norma Brass, 168 Barnes TTSX, RL19 powder, and WLRM primers.

I began my ladder test at 79.0 grains and got average velocity readings of 3074 FPS, I worked up in .5 grain increments and am currently at 83.0 grains. The max charge is 85.5 in the Barnes manual. I was getting really poor accuracy with the lower velocity loads, but once I hit 82 grains it really started to look promising. OAL is 3.560.

83.0 grains produced the group in the photo that I attached. Velocity was 3253 FPS with an extreme spread of 22. I am seeing no pressure signs and the groups have only gotten better as I near the max charge. Would you all continue to go up in charge, or be content with the accuracy/velocity of 83.0?
Click to expand...
Stop where you are!
 

Similar threads

K
When to give up on a load?
Replies
11
Views
2K
ksubuck
K
fellas2
Trying to Settle an Argument
2 3
Replies
39
Views
5K
whirlwindjml
whirlwindjml
3
New custom...when to start load development?
2
Replies
24
Views
5K
milo-2
M
B
The 1st thing when building a load.....
2 3 4
Replies
42
Views
8K
boomtube
B
R
When to move up powder loads
Replies
3
Views
1K
sourdough44
sourdough44

Recent Posts

Top