This thread developed out of the 5 -Shot Groups Are Kinda Useless thread. I normally use 4 shot groups to test loads due to limited availability of components. I started reloading during the pandemic and have fought that struggle the entire time.
During this time I found several loads that shoot well enough. Each load produced ~1 MOA groups during testing. Some did so repeatedly with production loads even when loaded in batches of 50 to 100.
However I tried some higher count groups and the loads are essentially the same, shooting about 2 MOA for 9 shots. One load I thought was quite good and had produced 0.6 to 0.7 MOA groups in two rifles. However it shot quite a bit worse that that when going to 9 round groups.
What I learned from the other thread is this is statistically predicted behavior and, while I don’t consider 4 or 5 shot groups useless, they only predict behavior within a fairly wide margin.
So here is where I am now. I have 200 Barnes Match Burner projectiles. I also have a variety of powders to try. Let’s choose TAC as the powder. Is there a way that lets me develop a load with a fair bit of certainty that beats 2 MOA without using all my bullets and remaining TAC just in testing?
During this time I found several loads that shoot well enough. Each load produced ~1 MOA groups during testing. Some did so repeatedly with production loads even when loaded in batches of 50 to 100.
However I tried some higher count groups and the loads are essentially the same, shooting about 2 MOA for 9 shots. One load I thought was quite good and had produced 0.6 to 0.7 MOA groups in two rifles. However it shot quite a bit worse that that when going to 9 round groups.
What I learned from the other thread is this is statistically predicted behavior and, while I don’t consider 4 or 5 shot groups useless, they only predict behavior within a fairly wide margin.
So here is where I am now. I have 200 Barnes Match Burner projectiles. I also have a variety of powders to try. Let’s choose TAC as the powder. Is there a way that lets me develop a load with a fair bit of certainty that beats 2 MOA without using all my bullets and remaining TAC just in testing?