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Do you ever stop searching?

jaym_100

jaym_100

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 8, 2010
188
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Mississippi
#1
So far I have a load for 168gr and 175gr that shoot half MOA and 1/4 MOA regularly with my Rem 5r. Is there any point in searching for a new powder of new loads for anything else? I kind of want to try the 178gr AMAX but I don't think I can find anything that shoots any better. I do need to find another round for hunting but that is besides the point.
 
#3
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Why bother, unless you like to do load development. I would say just go out and shoot your rifle. After all that's what it is all about right?
 
#4
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

I always see it as my as soon as I get my loads to shooting below 1MOA at 300 yards.. Its really a .5 MOa load and its just me. Oh now its getting .5 MOA then I tell my self its a less than .5MOa load..

your loads are getting the job done. Now its your turn to go through load development and just shoot until you can get that group tighter and tighter...

you have one the mathmatics and scientific paper work. now its time to do the lab and get your pants dirty and do some field testing. Constantly working on that 1 variable.. your shooting.
 
#5
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Once that load is dialed in* load development is done.

(*) well not really, because the throat erosion gets you sooner or later and you end up chasing it.
 
#6
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

sounds to me like you need a new gun to play with run that one to work on your skills and get a new one to play with load development so it will be setup when you shoot the barrel out of the one you are using now.
 
#7
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

I want to be done with load develpment so I can go ahead and order 500 bullets and 8 pounds of powder. My 175's are shooting 2522fps. That seems kind of slow, but they group really good, so I guess it will work.
 
#8
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Most of us have only a finite amount of range time time at our disposal. If that's your case, there will come the time in the development of every load when the prudent thing to do is say "That's good enough" and stop expending range time to further improve the accuracy of the load and start using it to improve the accuracy of the rifle<span style="text-decoration: underline">man</span>.
 
#9
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

I have one load for all my rifles that shoot about 1/2 MOA. Why would I waste barrel life and components not to mention my time finding loads for every bullet in a manual?

You got your loads. If you wanted to try a new bullet that's one thing but continuously looking for new loads is kind of a waste in my opinion. Time better spent practicing.
 
#10
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

If it was me, I would stick with the 175 for range work. Only reason to workup another load is for a hunting bullet.

That being said, velocity is probably a lower accuracy node as most folks can find a load producing 2750-2800 ft./sec with good accuracy. But with the load you have, you're not burning up the barrel.
 
#11
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Stick with what works.Just make sure your components are available all the time.Load development is fun but a pain in the ass if you dont have window to raise and shoot.
 
#13
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

My 178 A-Max load is shooting to within .1 mil of the 175 SMK load out to 600 yards.

I recommend that you bum 10 A-Maxes, load them on top of your regular SMK charge, and see how they work. If it's 1.5 MOA or less, you're good for hunting out to 300 yards for big game if you hold hard.

But yeah, once you have *A* good, better than just "decent" load, it's better to buy the stocks and load up a bunch. A little side experiment now and then is okay.
 
#15
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

jaym_100, If you don't mind sharing, what's your load? I picked up a 5R in March and it shoots great with factory ammo. Within the next few weeks, I'll be trying to find a load. The 168's and 175's both shoot very well.

Paul
 
#16
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Rob01,

Curiousity question -

I run 185 bergers in my 308. My hotter load runs 2675 and averages .4 for 5 shots. My lighter load runs 2600 and averages .25-.3 for 5 shots, however, the ES and SD of the hotter load is better and obviously, ballistics are better.

I have been running the hotter load as I don't know that I can notice the difference in a practical rifle or steel match and I prefer the better vertical dispersion of the hotter load at distance.

What do you think?
 
#17
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Unless you're shooting BR (i.e. the philosophy that seeks ultimate accuracy at any price), most of us are quite content with 1/2MOA, and will settle for 1MOA at distances where 1MOA will reliably deliver a center-mass hit.

There may never be too much accuracy, but there can be enough. The balance must be struck between bore life being expended on load development, and bore life being expended on the rifle's true intended purpose.

In my own personal instance, I try to keep the load develpment, etc., down to bare minimums. I go so far as to do my training and practice with .22LR, to spare the fullbore rifle's bore for comps, etc.

Greg
 
#18
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Shannon I would run the hotter load as well. But when you say hotter it's just to specify between the two correct? The load isn't really overly hot as in almost not safe? That might be a problem if you go to some hotter areas of the country.

But assuming both are safe loads I would definitely take the velocity and better ES/SD numbers of the 2675fps load over the extra .1" accuracy difference of the other load.
 
#19
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.., most of us are quite content with 1/2MOA, and will settle for 1MOA at distances where 1MOA will reliably deliver a center-mass hit.
</div></div>

~ 10% of my rifles will average 1 moa @ 100y or better
~ 30% of my rifles will average 2 moa
~ 70% of my rifles will average 3 moa
~ 90% of my rifles will average 4 moa
~ 100 of my rifles will average 5 moa

My problem is that my rifle that shoots 0.8 moa @100y, shoots 2.3 moa at 500y.
Just the opposite of what I need.
I don't need that much accuracy at 100y, but I need lots of accuracy at 500y.
 
#20
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Is there any reason to dick with the load? No. Would I? Probably. For me reloading is like Pandora's box, but in a good way. There are so many freaking variables, and I like to tweak them all. The problem I have is I always want to try a new bullet for a new purpose, or a new powder just because it is different, or a found a new place to buy it cheaper/more reliably. If your goal is to hit the target you are fine, and many people would be happy with it. I guess my problem is that I think I may actually like tinkering more then shooting. So, are you a tinkerer, a shooter, or a combination there of?
 
#22
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Sounds like you are all set then. Love Varget myself for the same reason.
 
#23
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pcschwenke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">jaym_100, If you don't mind sharing, what's your load? I picked up a 5R in March and it shoots great with factory ammo. Within the next few weeks, I'll be trying to find a load. The 168's and 175's both shoot very well.

Paul </div></div>

42.8 varget for 175gr and 43.3 for 168gr.
 
#24
Re: Do you ever stop searching?

Thank you for the reply! Varget seems to be the powder of choice for most people. I may try a few loads with Reloader 15 because I have quite a bit left over from .223 days.

Don't ever stop searching! I may settle on a load for a while but, I'll continue to work on different loads.

Paul
 
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