Is this normal what could I be doing wrong

stangguyaz

stangguyaz

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Jun 27, 2012
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#1
When shooting this weekend and got to chrono my hand loads for the first time. Here is what my first 10 shots out of 2 different rifles looked like

Rifle #1 armalite ar10 24" barrel
Lc brass 42.5gr varget cci200 primer 2.81 oal 155 palma match
2725
2718
2734
2704
2720
2766
2726
2742
2725
2768

Rifle #2 dpms lr308 18" barrel
Same loads as above
2580
2560
2564
2578
2545
2546
2569
2581
2587
2556

I'm trying to figure out if this is ok and if not what am I doing wrong. My set up isn't the best but it is what I have

Lee 4 hole press
Rcbs small base dies
Hornady charge master
Rcbs hand primer
Lee case trimmer
Lyman reamer
Lyman primer pocket tool

Any input would be appreciated thanks
 
Last edited:
#3
Steel head said:
Looks fairly normal to me with the different barrel lengths.
Click to expand...

I am just wondering about the spread in each group how close should they be? whats exceptable for long range? I know they are going to be different between rifles no worries there. Im just wondering if the spread is ok, there is a 64fps difference between the highest and lowest velocities out of the Ar10 and a 42 fps on the lr308 thanks
 
#4
That's actually not bad at all. You've got to remember, when reloading it's all about the variables...(and there's many) and how far you want to go to reduce them to get even greater consistency. You could double the time you spend on your loads but will it get you THAT much greater consistentcy to justify the added time spent? If you're shooting in competitions then the answer is probably yes but if you're just punching paper for fun or hunting then I'd say probably not. Your call though.
 
#6
71firebird400 said:
24" barrel

AVG- 2732.8 FPS
SD- 20.6 FPS

18" barrel

AVG- 2566.6 FPS
SD- 14.9 FPS
Click to expand...

OP's numbers I presume?

If so the SD's are pretty decent.
Getting Low ES/SD numbers can take a bit of tinkering around.


I have a load that's single digit SD, it's not great for showing off at 100 yards but is very consistent at distances where there is time to pick your nose between the shot and the sound of steel clanging.
 
#7
Thanks guys I didn't know how close they should be guess I will keep doing what I am doing. I shoot a little F class not competitively just for fun. I eventuatlly wanna try a few of the long range tactical style matches but that is when I get time.
 
#8
Don't forget to factor in the chronograph accuracy. People tend to take the digital display as inerrant gospel truth. Not so. There is an error in all chronographs. The better ones have less. The closer the screens to each other, the greater the possible error.
 
#10
steve123 said:
You stated you use LC brass but was it new and all the same lot number?

What chrono are you using? Those $100 chrony's suck. Oehlers are a different story.
Click to expand...

Once Fired LC brass all the same lot number. the chrono is a Chrony Beta model. is there something wrong with these models ? I bought it to get a general idea on my velocity. I had made up some dope charts based off of shooting at 3-4 distances out to a 100yds only no ballistics info. I just started plugging in different velocities until my come ups were coming out good at the ranges I have shot. Funny thing is after averaging my first 5 shots and entering the info into my ballistics calculator the come ups were within a 1/4 moa of my estimates.
 
Last edited:
#11
stangguyaz said:
Once Fired LC brass all the same lot number. the chrono is a Chrony Beta model. is there something wrong with these models ? I bought it to get a general idea on my velocity. I had made up some dope charts based off of shooting at 3-4 distances out to a 100yds only no ballistics info. I just started plugging in different velocities until my come ups were coming out good at the ranges I have shot. Funny thing is after averaging my first 5 shots and entering the info into my ballistics calculator the come ups were within a 1/4 moa of my estimates.
Click to expand...

You mean 1000Y???

After the fiasco's I've had with that particular brand I don't trust them, then I bought the Oehler.

Another thing you could try is different primers, and/or deburring flash holes.
 
#13
stangguyaz said:
I'm trying to figure out if this is ok and if not what am I doing wrong.
Click to expand...

Without knowing the bullet <weight> nobody can tell if the load is hot or cold, dangerous of just fine.

For a bullet in the 168-175 gr range, 42.5gr Varget is low to medium. 44-45 is more typical.
For a 155gr bullet, 42.5 is getting towards the dangerously low side of things.
For a 208gr bullet, 42.5 is close to max.

What you are doing wrong is supplying insufficient information.
 
#14
stangguyaz said:
When shooting this weekend and got to chrono my hand loads for the first time. Here is what my first 10 shots out of 2 different rifles looked like

Rifle #1 armalite ar10 24" barrel
Lc brass 42.5gr varget cci200 primer 2.81 oal
2725
2718
2734
2704
2720
2766
2726
2742
2725
2768

Rifle #2 dpms lr308 18" barrel
Same loads as above
2580
2560
2564
2578
2545
2546
2569
2581
2587
2556

I'm trying to figure out if this is ok and if not what am I doing wrong. My set up isn't the best but it is what I have

Lee 4 hole press
Rcbs small base dies
Hornady charge master
Rcbs hand primer
Lee case trimmer
Lyman reamer
Lyman primer pocket tool

Any input would be appreciated thanks
Click to expand...


I would keep tinkering. If i have an extreme spread of much more than 20, it kind of pisses me off. Standard deviations in the single digits is what i shoot for in a qualiity barrel with quality components. But im obsessive compulsive.:)
 
#15
MitchAlsup said:
Without knowing the bullet <weight> nobody can tell if the load is hot or cold, dangerous of just fine.

For a bullet in the 168-175 gr range, 42.5gr Varget is low to medium. 44-45 is more typical.
For a 155gr bullet, 42.5 is getting towards the dangerously low side of things.
For a 208gr bullet, 42.5 is close to max.

What you are doing wrong is supplying insufficient information.
Click to expand...

I am sorry I cant believe I forgot that. I have updated my original post with the info. Both the rifles seem to like the load and it does well for me out to 1000yd which I shoot at often. I have tried to go up in charge but my groups start opening up and I start to experience problems IE bad extractor and ejector marks stuck cases and such. I can load commercial Win and Rem brass up to 45 grains and get the same accuracy and performance but the brass doesn't last as long as the mil stuff.
 
#16
mosquitoshooter said:
I would keep tinkering. If i have an extreme spread of much more than 20, it kind of pisses me off. Standard deviations in the single digits is what i shoot for in a qualiity barrel with quality components. But im obsessive compulsive.:)
Click to expand...

I hear ya on the tinkering. I have been playing with loads for these rifles for a long time and I always end up back at the same place. maybe I will try different primers and powder. I have Imr 4064 and 4895 that works well in my bolt gun but I shoot 175 smks out of that. On the other hand I can shoot minute of man with the current load and I like shooting more than reloading.

Thanks for all the help fellows
 
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