JockStalk

5 hours ago, Catch-22 said:

Yeah definitely go up a charge.

If 44.9gn is as good as or similar to 44.3gn and 44.6gn, then you’re on a good node and 44.6gn will be the middle of that node. Being in the middle, you have at least 0.3gn of flexibility either side of 44.6gn, meaning as conditions change (hotter weather induces higher velocity, even if just a smidge) or as your barrel speeds up or slows down, you are still in a central node of harmonic stability. That’s the benefit of the OCW approach.

When you choose your load and play with seating depth, I would consider starting at touching lands and go all the way out to 0.80” jump, loading 3x rounds at each 0.10” interval. You could load 5x rounds for each interval, but I think your shooting shows enough consistency to only require 3x rounds per interval. But up to you.

You’ll then be on the sweet spot.

Heres an interesting read on some research done about bullet jump and how in all instances, a longer jump was more beneficial than loading to the lands.

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2020/04/28/bullet-jump-research-and-load-development-tips/

Good luck!

Thanks for that - good read and, as you may have figured, adjusting seating depth is new to me. Everything I read is either jammed or up to 20thou back. This puts that on its head. Much appreciated. 

Thanks folks - a chrony is on my ‘list’ when post Covid funds allow. If anyone has suggestions/ recommendations I’d appreciate them. I’ve used (and really liked) a Labradar but likely out of reach at the moment. 
I discussed bushing the firing pin with dasherman and figured it was not necessary. Great guy to deal with by the way. First rifle I’ve had that is not factory built and you can see the difference. Although my Varberger is up there too 😉

33 minutes ago, Catch-22 said:

Did you see any pressure signs at 44.6gn? What I mean; hard extraction, shiny spot underside case rim from ejector, flattened/cratered/pierced primer, gas leak from around primer? 

If not, then I try a charge at 44.9gn.

Your loads at 44.3gn and 44.6gn look to have nice low vertical. They also look to shoot a consistent POI.

If 44.9gn shows similar low vertical, same POI and tight groups, then I would argue that 44.6gn will be your ‘middle OCW node’. From there, load more 44.6gn but with a variety of seating depths (don’t be afraid of huge jump, even 0.50” to 0.80”) to find what your bullet likes. Seating depth will really tighten things up.

But so far, I’d say you’re on the right track and putting in some good groups. A chrony will be a must though, to determine your ballistic solution if you want to shoot further out.

C-22 the primers were showing slight cratering at all charge weights, but no flattening/ blackening or piercing. No visible ejector marking/ smear on the case rim and bolt lift was fine. Its an unmodified rem firing pin and I've read that some primer cratering is not unheard of - and it was the same all charge weights. Without any other warning signs I'm putting it down as something to watch, but maybe just a 'feature' of this rifle/ primer combo.

Had not considered trying a step higher charge (but right enough it makes sense) to see if things open/ sharpen up so will do that and see what I learn from that. I'm touching the lands at about 2.840 ish with this bullet, so will try a range of seating depths back from there. I'm presuming starting with longest COAL and working back for pressure signs.

Will have to sort out a chrony - just muddling through meantime! Appreciate your ideas - thankyou!

117gr sierras worked well for me with RL22 and N165, RL22 giving better consistency.

Thanks for all the great info shared on this forum, it has certainly helped me get (I think) the right foundations for a load in a new rifle. Objective for me is to push my own limits of shooting at distance (I've shot little beyond 400m). I've been reloading for a few years for deer rifles and seem to be nurturing an inner geek to improve accuracy.

Dasherman supplied me with a very nice cut rifled sassen barrel in a remmy action, 8 twist 24" heavy profile. That now sits in an AICS stock with riflebasix trigger at 2.5oz and I use a moderator. Based on advice on here and from friends, I've assembled new lapua s/r brass, RS62, 139 scenars and CCI 450 primers. I also have ELDX's in 143gr - because even though its a target rifle, it is also cleared for deer control. Not the first rifle I'd pick up to tab through a glen though.

With the benefit of a pal running a quickload projection, after reading all the info on here and some of Lauries excellent posts, I put some loads together of 5 rounds each at .3 grain intervals from 42.8 to 44.6gr and COAL of 2.812 with a spare 5 rounds at the starting charge weight to zero.

I don't have ready access to a chrony so am relying a fair bit on trial and error. Image shows the outcome at 100m with things tightening up at 44.6gr.

My next thoughts are to fine tune seating depth and charge weights. Then stretch out the distance and see how it performs.

What would you recommend next and in what order? First on my list being a coffee and a biscuit....

JS

Sierra GK's 117gr, Rem brass, 50.1gr N165 @3.130" COAL worked ok but I'm liking RL22 much better with 50.5gr

This is a deer load but certainly works well/ happy with accuracy. 

Sold subject to the usual

Photos added

Great stock, in green, used but very good condition. In original box.
Aluminium block has lug bedded for Remington 700 Short Action.
Includes Magpul mag well kit allowing use of any AICS compatible magazine and Magpul harris bipod fitting and one 5 round mag included (.308/.243 etc)
Rock solid stock and good for both target and hunting.
Cost 400, selling for 175 posted (UK Only)

Also advertised elsewhere

Havent used that bullet but 87gr VMax and 43.6gr of N160 has been my go to load in 243.

87-95gr have always had good results with 43-44gr N160.

Well they’ve shifted pretty fast. Just a couple B17s and B10 left. 

Interested to see what they unveil this year. 

I think you might mean this?

http://www.snipercentral.com/us-optics-transitioning-to-the-future/

still making scopes, still servicing previous lines, still honouring warranty. Just getting bigger I guess. 

I really like some of the reticles, build quality and of course warranty. I really don’t like the full retail price, though appreciate they need to make a profit. 

Have you consider a used vortex PST gen1? 

They can be had for 350 ish. Great value!

Just picked up a B25 for £1300. 

Seemed good value?