Should I load and shoot the high node with a new barrel?

[EscapeVelocity]

I bought a Ruger American Predator and a magpul stock for a light hunting/ steel shooting rig. Turns out this thing will shoot. My load I've started working up:
-140 eldm
-h4350 (41.8-42.8)
- new Lapua brass
-cci 400 SR

The plan was to find a decent load to run a couple hundred rounds to speed the barrel up, but since its showing great accuracy, I don't want to push it real hard right out of the gate. The accuracy node seems to be around the 42.3 mark but without a chrono, it seems like I'm pushing it too fast to start with? No pressure signs and from what I'm reading, this is a common node area. I still have more testing to do but I'm deciding on dropping down lower or not?

I know it's just a factory ruger barrel, so I'm not overly worried like I would with an expensive barrel.

 

[XLR308]

Looks to me like you found exactly what the rifle wants, I would listen to it and keep doing what its telling you it likes.
After it has more round through it might speed up a little but looks like you have a nice hunting load.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I'm at 42 grains of H4350 in my rifle so that doesnt seem too high, even though Hodgdon says a max load of 40.4.

Provided you aren't seeing any pressure signs,
I would run it. But when you can, get a chrono and see where you're at.

You don't want to be running a load in February that may be too hot in July/August.

You may want to load a few higher than 42.3 and work your way up just to see what too hot is.

 

[EscapeVelocity]

From an OCW standpoint, does 42.3 or 42.4 look optimal?

 

[canezach]

From an OCW standpoint, does 42.3 or 42.4 look optimal?

Looking at your targets, the centers of the 42.3 and 42.5 groups are in pretty close to the same area, while 42.0 and 42.8 are impacting in different areas. I'd split the difference, load at 42.4, and move on to seating depth tests, as long as you aren't seeing pressure signs. That 42 grain range is a pretty well established node for 6.5 Creedmoor, so it's not a surprise to see you'd fall in that area. Just know you may have to revisit your testing once you have a hundred or so more rounds down the barrel.

 

[Lynn Jr]

New barrel old barrel intermediate barrel you use the load that shoots the best.

 

[SupressYourself]

41.9 is my sweet spot with almost that exact same load (I use CCI 450s).
Personally, I'd want to know the velocity at 42.3 and 42.5. Once your barrel speeds up, you may have to back off a bit to get back in that node.

As for seating depth tests, f-that. Shooting that well out of a factory barrel is pretty amazing. I think you already have the right depth.

 

[EscapeVelocity]

These were loaded .020 off the lands. That puts the ogive measurement at 2.227 (so 2.207 with the jump). Unless things start to open up I'm going to run that for the next hundred rounds or so and re work it only if needed.

I couldn't believe a ruger american shot this well. I would have settled for .5 - .75 groups. The next test I'm going to shoot 5 round groups tho.

 

[07jkjeeper]

I would work up and look for pressure signs just in case you find another node at a higher velosity. Just my 2 cents.

 

[SupressYourself]

I wouldn't. This combination of components is pretty common. You're not going to be able to go much higher without getting into pressure.
And so what if you do? The higher node will be harder on brass and barrel, while the current node shoots awesome, and at most would only require another click or two of elevation at distance.
This guy found a unicorn and everyone wants him to tweak it. F-that, just ride that bitch.