Opinions on shot groups?

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Hey guys, i took the advise of a member on SH and re-shot a OCW test from 41.9-43.5.... this is a factory 5R Milspec off a harris bipod....
168gr SMK
OAL (mag lenght)
Varget
Lapua brass
CCI BR2 primers

The groups dont look bad, 43.1 is nice and seems to be right in the middle of a node.... whats your thoughts?

 

[J McGriddle]

I personally would go for the faster node and load it at 43.0.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

I personally would go for the faster node and load it at 43.0.

43.1 is what i was thinking, really seems to group good and it looks to be the middle of the node

 

[J McGriddle]

I'm glad you posted this because it reminded me that I need to make my ocw target for tomorrow.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

I'm glad you posted this because it reminded me that I need to make my ocw target for tomorrow.

LOL.. glad i could help

 

[47guy]

I’d shoot the 42.9g load because there are good groups on either side which tells me it’s a stable load.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

I’d shoot the 42.9g load because there are good groups on either side which tells me it’s a stable load.

Interesting.....You dont think the 42.9 &43.3 groups are indicative that the 43.1 is a stable load?

 

[stello1001]

42.9 to 43.1 seem to be vertically on the same area as well as 41.9 to 42.3. Pick the in between of either node and play with seating depth..

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Tomorrow ill look at velocities and see which has the best SD......

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Im actually incredibly happy that out of 9 different loads/groups that 6 was less than 1/2"....

 

[Brux]

I'm glad you shot these loads. That 43.1 looks great,I'm going to try that load in my 308. Please list your numbers?

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

I'm glad you shot these loads. That 43.1 looks great,I'm going to try that load in my 308. Please list your numbers?

Will do!

 

[47guy]

Interesting.....You dont think the 42.9 &43.3 groups are indicative that the 43.1 is a stable load?

no...42.9g is a better more stable load IMO because the groups on either side of 42.9 are tighter groups which tells me that if conditions change the load will still shoot as good....most ppl always want to pick the 1 hole groups and dont look at the groups on either side of the group they choose....id be willing to bet that you dropped the butt of the rifle just a TINY bit right as the high shot broke in the 42.7g group...so now look at those 3 groups compared to the 43.1-43.3 and 43.5g groups....id take a .250-.500 load over a 1 hole load any day unless that 1 hole load had clover leaf groups on either side of it...like the 42.9g does.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

47guy, im thinking that once the brass is neck sized only it will "act" like the node your speaking of.... for example its been my experience that 45g in fullsized brass will shoot almost identical velocites and groups as 45.2 in fire formed brass... maybe im way off,idk.... but i definitely see what your saying and your not wrong, really appreciate your input....

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Hey guys, just got in from getting velocities from my 43.1 load..... its 2,601 at 10 yards which is 2,620 at the muzzle..... im good with 2,620 ??

 

[47guy]

how did it group this time out?

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Not bad, wasnt realy focusing on groups.... just trying to not shoot my chrono, lol..... however 5 shot groups hovered 1/2"-3/4"...... i think just neck sizing will help a bit next time out, but it seems like consistant load....

 

[DrewC]

43.1 would be where I’d focus too, not 42.9. There’s a shift of poi on 42.7.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

43.1 would be where I’d focus too, not 42.9. There’s a shift of poi on 42.7.

Agreed??

 

[DrewC]

Have you seen where you pressure out at? Since your barrel length is my guess a 24” and you’re using 168smk’s you should be able to go up a bit and get more speed.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

Have you seen where you pressure out at? Since your barrel length is my guess a 24” and you’re using 168smk’s you should be able to go up a bit and get more speed.

I can get more speed for sure, approximately 100fps, but its harder on brass life..... im old and not so much a speed freak anymore lol

 

[DrewC]

Oh gotcha. Nothing wrong with that