New to reloading, in need of some guidance please

[CBJackson]

Hi Guys,

Ive recently got set up to load for my 22-250.
All has gone well and my ammo has been producing some fantastic groups (0.2-0.5” @ 100yds). However I’m really struggling to achieve what I would call a desirable SD (< 15fps?). Most of my 10 shot strings are getting me an SD somewhere around 27fps.

I have tested this ammo out to 500yds and it’s fully capable of maintaining 1 moa out to that range so arguably more than adequate for a foxing load. However I’m not one to settle for mediocrity and I’d like to get to the bottom of where I’m going wrong.

I’m loading for 22-250, 1:10 phoenix barrel.

60gr V-Max (COL all within 0.002 of each other)

34gr RS52 Powder (charges double checked on digital and mechanical scale)

Once fired Winchester brass (well tumbled and all trimmed to within 0.002” of each other)

Magtech large primers

Load averages 3250fps

Any advice on how I can improve my stats would be much appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[jcampbellsmith]

BBB - Buy better brass. One of many possible improvement steps.

Regards

JCS

 

[plumber01]

You are within 1%, so bank it, as a very rough rule, I notice, it's harder to get more consistency the faster you push the bullets, it seems accurate, why worry. Let the foxes worry whether they are hit by a 3245fps or 3275fps bullet. I suspect they are past worrying at that point ! Good luck

 

[CBJackson]

You are within 1%, so bank it, as a very rough rule, I notice, it's harder to get more consistency the faster you push the bullets, it seems accurate, why worry. Let the foxes worry whether they are hit by a 3245fps or 3275fps bullet. I suspect they are past worrying at that point ! Good luck

Thanks, you make a great point, the foxes won’t care at all.

It’s the first cartridge I’ve loaded however, so as you can imagine I’m keen to make sure my fundamentals are good, and having read so much about the low SDs people expect it made me wonder if I should be doing anything differently.

Next one is a 6.5 creedmoor load, hopefully a little more forgiving….

 

[CBJackson]

BBB - Buy better brass. One of many possible improvement steps.

Regards

JCS

Thanks will try some nice new brass for the next batch

 

[User00056]

Or you could check your existing brass for weight and volume consistency? Personally, I wouldn't go that far as I'm happy with my reloads as they are.

 

[steve19]

Are using any sort of mandrel die after they're resized? I started doing it with my .308 and 6br loads and started getting even tighter groups and and an ES of about 10-15fps with the .308 and my last group of 20 with the 6br was 12fps ES.

I was getting 25ish FPS ES before with both calibres.

Nothing else had changed apart from running it through the extra die.
It was one of the UK team F-class guys that said to do it and it worked a treat.

 

[ashray]

if you can find any get cci or federal primer ,magtech are ok but not the best out there.

 

[kenbro]

Are using any sort of mandrel die after they're resized? I started doing it with my .308 and 6br loads and started getting even tighter groups and and an ES of about 10-15fps with the .308 and my last group of 20 with the 6br was 12fps ES.

I was getting 25ish FPS ES before with both calibres.

Nothing else had changed apart from running it through the extra die.
It was one of the UK team F-class guys that said to do it and it worked a treat.

As above. You can’t beat getting a mandrel of the correct size to give you the neck tension you want.
KB.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Hi Guys,

Ive recently got set up to load for my 22-250.
All has gone well and my ammo has been producing some fantastic groups (0.2-0.5” @ 100yds). However I’m really struggling to achieve what I would call a desirable SD (< 15fps?). Most of my 10 shot strings are getting me an SD somewhere around 27fps.

I have tested this ammo out to 500yds and it’s fully capable of maintaining 1 moa out to that range so arguably more than adequate for a foxing load. However I’m not one to settle for mediocrity and I’d like to get to the bottom of where I’m going wrong.

I’m loading for 22-250, 1:10 phoenix barrel.

60gr V-Max (COL all within 0.002 of each other)

34gr RS52 Powder (charges double checked on digital and mechanical scale)

Once fired Winchester brass (well tumbled and all trimmed to within 0.002” of each other)

Magtech large primers

Load averages 3250fps

Any advice on how I can improve my stats would be much appreciated, thanks in advance!

What’s the problem?

Far as I’m concerned, there isn’t a problem just shoot it if all your finding if I’ve read your post correct that the variable is 27 ft./s not worth worrying about

 

[paul o']

Q&A

Is your setup and reloaded ammo capable of hitting, say, a 50p at 100 yards?

You state the biggest group size is 0.5, so that's a tick.

You are worried that your SD isn't

0.0 something? And this is the crux of your problem?

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you are at the top of the tree in 0.2-0.5 already. Yes, you could faff around, tweak this, add that, but!

I have a question: is this a hunting setup or a paper puncher?

If hunting, it's time to enjoy what many others can only dream about.

If it's a target, then yes, go all out and dive down the rabbit hole of ££££ after £££££, trying to gain those golden numbers.

I wish you well in your quest, but think on this: you don't always need to find the holy grail.

 

[Twodogs]

Don’t worry about the SD. With a 0.2” grouping just take your rifle along to any 100 yard full bore bench rest competition and you be in the medals.

 

[Tikkat1x]

leave well alone,

 

[old 30-06]

Hi CBJackson, I will tell you what you need to do..................NOTHING. Leave your chronograph at home. Do not trim more or less, change your powder, cases, primer, bullet, etc,etc. Look at your results. Get out there and enjoy !

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I’ve been reloading best part 20 odd years and if my bullets are within in 25 to 30 ft./s of each other if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it good enough for me. I’m not that anal retarded enough to worry about it.

 

[nocturnaldave]

Too many people end up down the never ending quest of seeking perfection…. You’ve got a great round sorted out for your rifle…. Go foxing!

 

[Lever357]

I would imagine your SD is as low as it will go and if it's not, what's the problem?? You have the accuracy drilled right down. Be happy with what you have achieved. Persuing a lower SD will only lead to more cost, more time spent reloading and more frustration. If it ain't broke, don't try fixing it.

 

[geordiemacatac]

Yeah I'd load 500 rds from were your at....

 

[Bo Diddley]

"The Law of Diminishing Returns"

Don't waste your time, use that time to hunt a little more.
I use the same bullet in my .223, the first four rounds I loaded shot a cluster.. I increased the load a bit with the same result and left it alone... no idea really what speed they are doing... but I've shot a $hite load of vermin and small deer with them.

 

[Hornet]

What’s the problem?

Far as I’m concerned, there isn’t a problem just shoot it if all your finding if I’ve read your post correct that the variable is 27 ft./s not worth worrying about

If they are as accurate as you say, then for goodness sake be satisfied man, it really is not worth bothering about in a hunting rifle application.