Scratching head on ES and SD with good load

[huntsd]

My max for hunting this year is probably 600. I would however have to have a load that is stable and good out to 1,000. I have some friends that shoot regularly at that range and I would like to join the club so to speak. I was use to shooting recurve bows at 90 meters so I think surely I can shoot a rifle at 1,000 LOL

I hear ya like with a bow practicing when you practice way past what you’ll actually shoot. Please keep us posted on steps taken and results!

 

[WVELK]

I hear ya like with a bow practicing when you practice way past what you’ll actually shoot. Please keep us posted on steps taken and results!

Yes, always great advice with bows to practice much further than you will ever shoot at game. In my case, I grew up with FITA and olympic archery. After at least 1,642,500 shots with a bow, the old joints have to be preserved for future bowhunting. Thus, my renewed interest in reloading since 2023.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Not all primers are created equal. If you're weighing powder charges as consistent as possible, it sounds like that load may have inconsistent ignition for whatever reason and it may be worth trying a different primer.

 

[Ramem7mm]

just curious about the brass as well and load prep? Also it might be worth backing down the charge to go a little slower(reduce powder charge) and maybe find a different node that the gun likes with the es/sd. then maybe tune the length if the groups aren't that great.

 

[WVELK]

Giving an update. I had the scale throw to within 2/10 of the charge needed and then dropped grains in by hand. Problem solved. So powder charge weight variance was the issue.

 

[Ramem7mm]

Thats good. Just curious if that is the only 5 shot string you did or have you done several? What scale/ powder measuring device are you using?

 

[philippre]

Giving an update. I had the scale throw to within 2/10 of the charge needed and then dropped grains in by hand. Problem solved. So powder charge weight variance was the issue.

Thanks for the update
Weight sorting my primers, eliminating top/bottom 10%, helped lower my speed variance

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I don't see where anyone has asked, so I will.

How are you weighing your powder charges? If your scale is only accurate to +/- 0.1 grain, that would easily account for the swing in velocity, especially with a powder like RL26.
While you have already experienced the fact that not all loads that have good numbers provide good groups, in my experience if you find a load that gives good groups and are able to improve the numbers, the groups get better (as long as you are not the cause).

So, I would start with the powder delivery and weighing system, then go to neck tension. You also didn't say if you are annealing. Going down (bushing) and then back up (mandrel) each time then expanding through firing is a lot of work on those necks. So, unless you are only firing them 2-3 times and then pitching them, annealing after each firing with a repeatable method (not torch and drill) will help get consistent neck tension. The final thing I will ask is, what brass? If your brass is not consistent in volume you will have small variations in internal capacity, leading to inconsistent pressures. Try weight sorting your brass and load them by weight category groupings and see if that helps.

All that.