[Fatelvis]

I'm presently loading match ammo (.223), for my match AR, to shoot the short line (200&300yds.). I'm using new Lapua cases, 77 SMKs, and RL15 powder. I really don't want to weigh charges, but my Dillon measure on my 550, is throwing weight variances with an extreme spread of about .5 grain. I'm purposely keeping the weight away from max, to avoid problems, and weigh every charge for the 600 yd. loads, but I was wondering if you guys would find this acceptable for the short line loads. Thanx-

[fineredmist]

It doesn't matter. I have played the game of measuring each charge and found that .5 gr is of no consequence. Be consistent in OAL and crimp and you will be fine. My bolt .223 AI will shoot < .5" @ 100 etc. with powder drop or weighed charges so I don't bother measuring each charge. Work less, shoot more.

[ocabj]

While I can't say if a .5gr spread will result in a larger group, I know it will result in around 50-75 fps difference.

A great way to test a load is just to sling up in prone and fire a few 10 round strings in a standard SR target at 200 yards. If your short line load won't hold the X-ring, then there's a problem. If it does, then you have nothing to worry about.

For instance, I had to shoot up 10 rounds left in my box of 50 rounds of my 600 yard ammo (shot 2 EICs, 20 rounds each, leaving 10). I had to reconfirm my no-wind zero at the 200 yard line so I used those 10 rounds. Slung up in prone and shot this group at 200 on an SR target:

http://www.ocabj.net/gallery/albums/misc_targets/IMG_5152.sized.jpg

This is a good way to test loads, at least for me. I can't stand shooting the AR from the bench. The best way would probably be to get a good front and rear rest like a Sinclair pedestal with a rear bag and then scope the rifle with an A2 carry handle mount, but I don't shoot benchrest (so I don't have a pedestal or rear bag).

I use 24.0gr of RL15 with 77 Noslers in LC brass and CCI BR4. I still hand weigh loads.

My long line load is 24.0gr of RL15 with 80gr Sierra in Lapua Match with CCI BR4s.

[jeepmor]

Good advice fineredmist, thanks. I've often wondered myself. But I'm also of the school of thought that I can't hold still enough to discern my spread being my fault or the ammo's.

On that note, my best group was laying prone over a my ammo box using a binocular case to keep from scratching my gun, not on my folding bench. I got a less than a 3 leaf clover that way a little less than 100 yards. Ruger HB on that one.

jeepmor

[DragonFire]

I don't load rifle rounds, but my Dillion Square Deal-B throws pistol charges at plus or minus .1 grains, and my friends with other Dillon presses like the 550 and 650 have seen similar results.

I'd suggest talking to Dillon about it. Maybe it's normal since rifle loads are significantly larger that pistol loads, but maybe they can help.

[30Cal]

I have found that it's pretty easy to spot the charges that are going to be really heavy--if you bang the press or jam a case up against the edge of a die, then it's going to heavy.

I recommend spending the time to weigh each charge for 50rds, record the weights and make notes when the press didn't stroke smoothly. You'll quickly see the correlation and it will help you in the future when you don't want to weigh each one.

Ty

[alucard0822]

Is it a drum type measure?, I have an rcbs drum measure that will dispense +or- under .1 gr as long as the arm opens slow and steady, for the best consistency gently tap it on the side of the resevoir each time while the arm is fully down. I load for 308 and 223, using this method 175gr SMK over 45gr of varget with Winchester brass and WLR primer normally has under 10fps difference between 10 shots, and will shoot under 1MOA. Some loads are more sensitive to relatively small charge weight differences, for some it's brass thickness, or chamber temp, but the best way IMO is to load them as consistent as possible, then crono them to see how mutch velocity spread there is, compare that to the group size, usually the smallest groups have the smallest spread.

[Idano]

Fatelvis,

I am guessing you are using and extruded powder like Varget. If so try finding a load with a ball powder. I load DP220 for my AR in a Hornady powder measure with a RCBS powder baffle and I am not seeing any variation and I check every 25th dispense. I have two RCBS Uniflows and the Hornady powder measure all with their own RCBS powder baffle and I see the following:
Ball: <0.1 grain deviation deviation checked every 25th dispense
Flake: +/- 0.1 grain deviation checked every 25th dispense
Extruded: the best I have seen is +/- 0.3 grains of deviation checked every 25th dispense

I don't use extruded powder when reloading on my progressive just because of the deviation. IMO the only way to ensure accuracy is to maintain consistency.

[Walkalong]

Idano is right. Those numbers are what you can expect from a good quality, clean, static free measure with good technique. :)

Oh yea. +/- .3 grains with extruded is no big deal. You will never see it on target at 300 yards and under. I don't know about further out.

[kidcoltoutlaw]

The guy's in the Bench Rest game go with + or - .2