Need help identifying "node" on test targets
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Bob Wright
Well-Known Member
I would have loaded up some at 62.5 and done some seating tests.
At 60.9 you don't have much room for powder weight variations. Look at the sine wave of bullet strikes in your original post photo.
It's not a node at all.
62.3 to .7 has both a velocity flat and barrel is spitting out that bullet at about the same point according to your target. The sine wave here is small.
If it still won't group, powder or primer changes might help.
At 60.9 you don't have much room for powder weight variations. Look at the sine wave of bullet strikes in your original post photo.
It's not a node at all.
62.3 to .7 has both a velocity flat and barrel is spitting out that bullet at about the same point according to your target. The sine wave here is small.
If it still won't group, powder or primer changes might help.
dougduey
Well-Known Member
Do you have any RL23? Many of us have found that RL26 seems to throw a flier with multiple bullets, but RL23 gives the same velocities and no fliers. Can't explain why RL26 does this, it's just something a bunch of us have had the same results when using that powder.
If you don't have RL23, consider H4831. It's kinda the gold standard in the 280 AI
If you don't have RL23, consider H4831. It's kinda the gold standard in the 280 AI
Yes, Ive tried 4831sc, r23, 7828ssc and R26. They all performed about the same without doing full powder ladder test. I have 16lbs of R26 so just went with that to get a little more in depth with. I will say R23 was probably the worst in my particular rifle and 7828ssc was probably the best but only had 3/4 of a lb. 4831 was also in line with R26 in accuracy but was 200fps slower
dougduey
Well-Known Member
I'm surprised RL23 was poor for you. Honestly, you should be around 60.0 gr of RL23 with the Berger you're loading.
Where is your velocity node (flat spot) with RL26? I would guess somewhere from 2950-3000 fps. Where did you hit pressure? I'd drop down 1.5 gr from max and load up in 0.2 gr increments to find the middle of the node. Most are 0.4-0.8 gr in size. Load up 10 rounds in the middle of that node. Shoot 5 for a group and another 5 for velocity numbers. If your group isn't tight, play with seating depth. Velocity should generally give you pretty good ES (0-25 fps). If it's larger than that, you'll want to switch powders.
Youve got me wanting to go back and do more testing with 23. I tested it around the 58-59 grain mark but never got in depth with it. Unfortunately im at a stopping point altogether because Im down to 25ct of my 168s and none to be found at the moment.
61.3-61.7 @ around 2930 was the closet thing to a flat spot I had with 26 and hit pressure around 63.5. Im getting 1 high flier out of almost all the groups. When I say high im talking 2+ inches high
dougduey
Well-Known Member
What was the velocity at 63.5 with RL26? There's another node around the 3050 fps range.
Search out some of the 280 AI threads on here. Look for a member named L.Sherm. He shoots the 168 Berger's and was really helpful when I started loading my 280 AI. I'm sure he's be happy to help you. LanceKenyon is another member full of knowledge and extremely helpful.
Without going back and looking it was right around 3052 and had a sticky bolt. 63 was 3030 and wasnt sticky. Also this 280 only has a 22in tube.
To me, ladder testing is more about barrel harmonics than bullet impact. We only test at 100 yds. From your pic I would shoot from 62.3, .5, .7, & 62.9. Pick about middle of the node. Then adjust seating depth.
By doing this, we are shooting groups of .080 to .250" with lots of single hole groups with our 6.5 PRCs. My son shot 1 each at 400, 600, 700 & 800 yds. 2 shots hit the
& 2 were only 1" from at those distances. Conditions were 10mph crosswind. 1st shot low & right, made adjustment, hit bullseye, 600 yd 1" right, 700 yds 1"high, 800 hit ! That's what works for us.
By doing this, we are shooting groups of .080 to .250" with lots of single hole groups with our 6.5 PRCs. My son shot 1 each at 400, 600, 700 & 800 yds. 2 shots hit the
& 2 were only 1" from at those distances. Conditions were 10mph crosswind. 1st shot low & right, made adjustment, hit bullseye, 600 yd 1" right, 700 yds 1"high, 800 hit ! That's what works for us.Attachments
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Stonyman88
Well-Known Member
I would work around the 61. gr to the 62. gr and shoot some 5 shot groups or more, hard to tell anything from one shot with each powder charge. Most guys shoot 10 shot groups, and understand that's a lot for brass and powder but much more affective results with several shots . I would really work close to the 61.3 I think.
Stonyman88
Well-Known Member
One other thing, I have a 6.5 PRC Bergara, and it shoots the Hornady 143 ELD-X ammo in .20 groups at 100yds, and I'm going to try and work up some loads with that FPS , and set the seating depth the same as the new box Hornady ammo. Then I can work off from that. Shows the 143 ELD-X at 2960 on the box. So the one you have at 62.7 is very close and fps also, Keep me informed please
