Working up a load. Is this typical?

[BluegrassDan]

I've fairly new to hand loading and I'm working up a load for my .308. Is this type of grouping typical? In other words, are the variances due to the differences in loads, or are the differences due to the shooter (me)?

I certainly HOPE that it's not me, because that middle group is the best yet that I have loaded.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rcmodel]

differences in loads, or are the differences due to the shooter (me)?

Only way to answer that is:

Can you shoot more then one group like B with that same load?

rc

 

[splithoof]

If you can repeat group "B" several more times, you might have found your rifle's favorite load. Looks like this was shot at 100 yards, and if so, that load should be very close to zero at 200 yards, and likely 6-8 inches low at 300. I have found that most "mid-range" loads listen in current manuals often give the best results for the majority of rifles, and that stick powders do very well, as long as the charges are weighed carefully. I prefer H4895, or IMR 4064, but have also had good result with 4320. You might get even better accuracy with a 168 BTHPM bullet, although they cost a bit more.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

They all have their sweet spot. Like has been said, if group 2 is repeatable, that's yours.

 

[popper]

Get to shoot B consistently. The one in red of A I would call a flier. As almost all are high, this is a hotter load than your normal ammo ( I assume you are targeting the red). Left/right stringing is trigger, up/down is breathing. Get 'B' @200 yds, then try changing your load. If the load is bad, it will scatter, not string.

 

[Jim Watson]

Target B is fine, if it is reproduceable.

Do you think targets A and C show larger groups because you were using 4230 powder instead of 4320? It pays to be careful with powder designations, they are arbitrary but not insignificant.

 

[BluegrassDan]

It's all 4320. My mistake.

Tried to reproduce it tonight with less than satisfactory results.

 

[Tim the student]

Tried to reproduce it tonight with less than satisfactory results.

Yep, sometimes that flier ends up making us look good. They work that way too.

Reproducibility is key.