Where to go next?

[Bigeclipse]

If you have a load shooting one ragged hole it's time to stop experimenting and start loading and shooting.

didnt mean to confuse, but this is not a load shooting one ragged hole. What I did was loaded 7 bullets, each one was a different charge weight to determine my rifles max load. At 100 yards these seven bullets had no horizontal difference, but had just a touch of vertical. The seven shots made a vertical half inch long line. This is making me think that had I loaded 3-5 shots of each load...at 100 yards I would not see a difference in group size...almost all making 1 ragged hole but maybe I would see difference in point of impact. I was going to complete an OCW test next until this happened. Again this is all speculation based off my results from testing for my rifle's max load.

 

[Nimrod]

I voted other, from the sound of things, unless I misunderstand, your rifle fired a 7 shot .5 MOA group with 7 different charge weights. If this is the case, pick the max charge and go shoot a few groups. Don't drive yourself nuts trying to find something that may not be lost.

Typically when I'm loading rifle rounds .30-30 size cases and larger I load the first set of test loads in 2.0 grain increments up to the maximum listed charge. Depending on how many components I have I load either 3 or 5 rounds at each charge level. I shoot these groups at 100 yards and work off the best one, watching for pressure signs and velocity variations along the way.

I am something of a tightwad myself, (no offense intended) and I hate to waste components but sometimes you just have to suck it up. Besides, it isn't really wasting, you are getting some practice in too.

I am reminded of a fellow on another forum, his signature line says "At the level we play at nothing is cheap"

Sounds like you have a good rifle, go enjoy it!

 

[Bigeclipse]

I voted other, from the sound of things, unless I misunderstand, your rifle fired a 7 shot .5 MOA group with 7 different charge weights. If this is the case, pick the max charge and go shoot a few groups. Don't drive yourself nuts trying to find something that may not be lost.

Typically when I'm loading rifle rounds .30-30 size cases and larger I load the first set of test loads in 2.0 grain increments up to the maximum listed charge. Depending on how many components I have I load either 3 or 5 rounds at each charge level. I shoot these groups at 100 yards and work off the best one, watching for pressure signs and velocity variations along the way.

I am something of a tightwad myself, (no offense intended) and I hate to waste components but sometimes you just have to suck it up. Besides, it isn't really wasting, you are getting some practice in too.

I am reminded of a fellow on another forum, his signature line says "At the level we play at nothing is cheap"

Sounds like you have a good rifle, go enjoy it!

What you stated is exactly what I was thinking. I dont mind spending money/time on working up a load...my last rifle I must have shot 150 total rounds trying to find a load it liked, that was a factory remington 700. This savage though has a new criterion barrel which seems to be shooting tac drivers. I just didnt want to "waste" money/components running an OCW/ladder tests on such a good shooting rifle when im simply trying to identify a load for 500 yards on deer, but at the same time, I do like experimenting and trying to find my rifle's best load. I think I will do what you said...load like 10 or so rounds at max load and see how she shoots out to 300 yards. If it is sub MOA maybe I will just call it good for now. Thanks for your input.