Best loads NOT near max charge odd?

[FishfinderAK]

Hello
I recently started working up a load for a Tikka compact T3X 7mm/08 using 120 TTSX, Varget, and WLR. Interestingly I am finding my best groups around 42 grns of Varget.
The Barnes book calls the low end 39.5 and max 43.9 of Varget.
In developing loads for other rifles/calibers, if usually found my best loads near the max.
Is it odd to have your tightest groups near the middle to low end, of recommended charges?

 

[Doc Holliday]

In my reloading manuals, many of the loads that have the "most accurate" asterisk next to them are at the lower end of the spectrum.

 

[JakeSCH]

Not at all. If you look at Noslers load data, often the low or middle charge produces the best accuracy. If you are unhappy with the velocity with that charge I bet you could find another node and mess with seating depth to tighten the groups up.

 

[nhyrum]

I've run a number of "middle of the book" loads that were great, but couldn't find a faster node that is accurate, other times, the only accurate one I find is hot. It all depends on your shooting. Do you need the extra speed? Or is a slower load going to be fine? When I'm working with ELR loads I usually try to get a hotter node to give me all the range I can get, other times, for like 600 yard stuff, I'll look for a slower node to save powder, barrel life, brass life, etc.

So no, the most "accurate" load isn't always going to be the fastest.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[MLGrace]

I have worked on 7-08 loads with 139 Hornady SST pills lately for three rifles. I found that 44.5g of IMR 4350 Was the most accurate. The max is if I recall 48. I also worry about velocity and bullet expansion when I move to the Iinterbond. If I load that particular recipe. I settled on 47 and it is pretty accurate It not the best. All of the rifles liked the 44-45 loads.

 

[rayporter]

most of us like to shoot max velocity but you have to let the target do the talking for accuracy.

 

[VernAK]

Very common situation.

 

[SDHNTR]

We all shot the most accurate loads before chronographs and I don’t think the animals noticed.

 

[1shotgear]

Every barrel will have accuracy nodes. A node is a specific velocity range that will produce consistent vertical dispersion at distance. It sounds like your current load is in one of your barrels lower nodes. If you are interested in finding where your barrel nodes are you should conduct a ladder test. Check out this video for an in depth explanation about ladder tests.