Todays Load Tests

[arcpest 6]

Here are the results of my testing today of the 168gn A-max with TR140

40gns 2388 fps .830" 40.5gns 2438 fps .321" 41gns 2473 fps 1.357" 41.5gns 2530 fps .160" 42gns 2548 fps 1.076" 42.5gns 2609 fps .488" 43gns 2644 fps .543" 43.5gns 2661 fps .757" 44gns 2684 fps .390" 44.5gns 2741 fps 1.020" 45gns 2772 fps .586" 45.5gns 2807 fps .632"

All this was done with the front bi-pod that mark made for me thank you mark

 

Rick

[dicehorn 38]

Here are the results of my testing today of the 168gn A-max with TR140

40gns 2388 fps .830" 40.5gns 2438 fps .321" 41gns 2473 fps 1.357" 41.5gns 2530 fps .160" 42gns 2548 fps 1.076" 42.5gns 2609 fps .488" 43gns 2644 fps .543" 43.5gns 2661 fps .757" 44gns 2684 fps .390" 44.5gns 2741 fps 1.020" 45gns 2772 fps .586" 45.5gns 2807 fps .632"

All this was done with the front bi-pod that mark made for me thank you mark

 

Rick

Rick - I assume you did this test on the OCW method?

 

To be honest I cannot understand how .5 of a grain can make a difference of more than an 1" (" 40.5gns 2438 fps .321" 41gns 2473 fps 1.357" 41.5gns 2530 fps .160") Am I to assume that each case was more or less the same weight, same distance from the lands and when seated all bullets felt that they were seated with the same neck tension?

 

I cannot get your photo(s) up so assume each target had 4 or 5 weights shot at it?

[arcpest 6]

Hi soz no pics I copied and pasted from the other forum im on.

The variation could be me the cases the heads ect as I don't weigh them, all are seated the same and they all felt the same when pressing them in.

im doing some more testing tomoz of the 2 best groups and increasing the max load by .2gn to see how they do and if the accuracy improves, all were 3 round groups.

 

Rick

Edited August 15, 2013 by arcpest

[dicehorn 38]

You did not say if you use the OCW method, however if you do not use this method, can I suggest if just using two targets that you alternate your shots - fire the first load at target no 1 then load the next load and fire that at target two then load the first load again and fire at target 1 and continue like that till the rounds have all been fired - really a min of 4 shots is what is required. Alternating the shots gives a better representation of what the rounds will do - ie takes into account 1st and 2nd shot from a clean barrel, and wind variations etc

 

Bearing in mind your case volume IMHO I think differentials of .2 of a grain are not going to make much difference to accuracy

 

Below is a OCW target I shot with my TAC 20. ( on this target, after 6 shots I had 6 holes at different targets) I normally use 39 gr Blitzkings but aware that they are in short supply I managed to get hold of some V max and developed a load with them just in case I run out of the 39 's

 

 

<a href="http://s438.photobucket.com/user/wyndog/media/40Grvmaxdevelopment20TAC_zps93542d19.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq101/wyndog/40Grvmaxdevelopment20TAC_zps93542d19.jpg" border="0" alt="20 Tac load development of 40 gr Vmax photo 40Grvmaxdevelopment20TAC_zps93542d19.jpg"/></a>

Edited August 16, 2013 by dicehorn

[arcpest 6]

Hi dicehorn I will try that method tonight when up the range and see how it goes, have you tried the 52gn A-max with 25,5gns of H335 powder? that was the best combination with my 223.

I try 1/2 grain increments to start then the 2 best loads il go .2gns either side to see if it makes it more accurate or not.

 

Rick

[dicehorn 38]

Hi dicehorn I will try that method tonight when up the range and see how it goes, have you tried the 52gn A-max with 25,5gns of H335 powder? that was the best combination with my 223.

I try 1/2 grain increments to start then the 2 best loads il go .2gns either side to see if it makes it more accurate or not.

 

Rick

I do not have a .223 but have developed loads for it for two people. The last person was last month but not with 52 gr A Max but with 50 gr V Max using N133 (I am a big fan of Vihtavuori powders - they burn so cleanly) Using the OCW method I went up in .3 gr increments - here is the target I shot at, which you will see by seating the bullets at 30 thou back showed promise in the 25 and 25.3 gr loads (although for some reason (me!) shot 3 on each was a little wayward)

 

<a href="http://s438.photobucket.com/user/wyndog/media/Bradley223_zpsb6b15213.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq101/wyndog/Bradley223_zpsb6b15213.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Bradley223_zpsb6b15213.jpg"/></a>

 

I decided after examining the targets to use a powder weight between 25 and 25.3 and try 10 thou either side of the 30 thou on the OCW target using 25.1 gr. This was the result at 20 thou back

 

<a href="http://s438.photobucket.com/user/wyndog/media/Bradley223A_zps93188884.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq101/wyndog/Bradley223A_zps93188884.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Bradley223A_zps93188884.jpg"/></a>

 

And, this was the result at 40 thou back - so basically I got to where I wanted in 32 shots

 

<a href="http://s438.photobucket.com/user/wyndog/media/Bradley223B_zps9db8aafa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq101/wyndog/Bradley223B_zps9db8aafa.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Bradley223B_zps9db8aafa.jpg"/></a>

 

I learnt long ago that when it comes to finding what suits your barrel, it always seemed to create problems with the two major problems of powder weight versus distance from the lands - only get one right and the other wrong will spray bullets everywhere = getting to know what the barrel likes in respect of velocity (how much powder to use) is the first step then simply fine tune your best result(s) We are talking OCW method!!

 

Peter

[arcpest 6]

Hi 40 thou hit the spot that will be my next lot of testing once I get the measurement to the lands then il start 10 thou off and see how that goes.

iv not tallied up my results yet from today as im still cleaning my rifle but I will put them up and I forgot to try the OCW method but will make a not to remind me for next time.

 

Rick

[seprim 32]

Some awesome groupings there Peter - well done!

Andrew

[dicehorn 38]

Some awesome groupings there Peter - well done!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew - that is kind of you. I am told that I am a good shot, but I prefer to think that I make very good ammo instead so the people I make ammo for, in turn become good shots!!

[seprim 32]

 

Some awesome groupings there Peter - well done!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew - that is kind of you. I am told that I am a good shot, but I prefer to think that I make very good ammo instead so the people I make ammo for, in turn become good shots!!

 

Well Peter when I start reloading I will be very pleased to get twice the group sizes you do. They are outstanding.

I hear what you say about the low residue powder - means less cleaning, which although some take pleasure out of cleaning their rifle (I do) its good to have less dust n clag.

What is the "OCW" method ?

Andrew

[dicehorn 38]

 

 

Some awesome groupings there Peter - well done!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew - that is kind of you. I am told that I am a good shot, but I prefer to think that I make very good ammo instead so the people I make ammo for, in turn become good shots!!

 

Well Peter when I start reloading I will be very pleased to get twice the group sizes you do. They are outstanding.

I hear what you say about the low residue powder - means less cleaning, which although some take pleasure out of cleaning their rifle (I do) its good to have less dust n clag.

What is the "OCW" method ?

Andrew

 

Hi Andrew

 

This is the link to the Guy who developed this method - on the same page (left side) is further info of how to do it

 

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

 

There are also various U Tube vids of it in action (some good some not so good)

 

Peter