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+/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

3

308Shooter1911

Sergeant
Minuteman
Jan 29, 2011
408
1
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
#1
I'm reloading .308 with a Hornady LNL AP. It was stated the the powder measure with Varget would consistently throw +/- .1 or .2 grains. Is this a big deal and how big a difference does this make in your groups?
I understand that for competition this is a big deal, but for practice and hunting rounds is that ok?
 
#2
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

If your load is in the middle of a 'node' then +/- .1 .2 should be acceptable for hunting yes.
That's why we run an OCW test, to find loads that are a little forgiving +/- giving the same POI.

It's relative to cartridge size of course..
smile.gif
 
#4
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

"...for practice and hunting rounds is that ok?"

It's good for anything but 1000 yard bench shooting and, if the load is properly chosen, it should be good for that. So, do you plan on doing any 1000 yard shootin' with the ammo you punch out in bulk on a LnL AP?
 
#5
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

Seeing as you don't give a location in your profile I don't know where you will be shooting but if it's somewhere the temp will vary +/- 10 degrees or more then stick with the Varget. It's very temp insensitive.
 
#7
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

I do plan on doing 1000yds in the future, but I think I would weigh each charge. I just started reloading and bought the LNL because of the powder measures reputation for consistency as I do not trust my MTM scale. I plan on getting a more reliable scale in the future but for right now, I'm over my shooting budget.
Can I expect sub MOA or even .5 MOA @100yds?
 
#9
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

Can I expect sub MOA or even .5 MOA @100yds?

That depends on Waaaay more than just your powder throw
smile.gif


Choose your powder for performance, and then deal with weighing it out.
It's no big deal to throw your charge short and trickle up if you need to,
Many folks do.
 
#11
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

Load some up and find out. Best way to know. anything else is just a guess.
 
#12
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

Unless you go to a substatially more expensive scale, not sure but it is several hundred dollar range, then +-.1 grain is all the accuracy any of the scale's advertise. I bought some Lyman check weights which help give me some confidence. If I "come in from the same direction" (always come up from below or down from above), then I think I am getting a little better than that. But it would take the really accurate scale to know for sure. .2 grains is about where I think it starts making a difference in group size. In H4350 powder is about 4 pellets per .1 grain.
 
#14
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

No way will your powder throw dispense .1 accuracy over and over again, a chronograph will prove that, inside 300 all loads can be thrown, beyond that a ES/SD of more than 20 will show up on your targets.
 
#15
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

"I average sub right above .5 MOA now while weighing each charge. I was wondering if I would stay close."

Find your own answer. Load a few weighed charges with a .2 grain spead, a .3 gr spread and a .4 gr spread and shoot them. That way you can actually find out how sensitive your load and rig is rather than accepting our blind guesses.
 
#16
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308Shooter1911</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm reloading .308 with a Hornady LNL AP. It was stated the the powder measure with Varget would consistently throw +/- .1 or .2 grains. Is this a big deal and how big a difference does this make in your groups?
I understand that for competition this is a big deal, but for practice and hunting rounds is that ok? </div></div>

I had a LNL for a while, and loaded .308 for my AR10T. Varget dropped from the Hornady powder measure varied .10 to .40 grains...usually was .40 heavy when I "felt" it cut grainules. These loads shot 1.5" @ 100 meters in my gas gun. I switched over to Benchmark, and they varied .1...most were "dead on". It flows much smoother, but groups still averaged a little over 1". If I used Varget w/weighed charges, all groups were under 1", and several 3/4".

Just for grins, I ran some Benchmark thru my Redding BR-3. All charges were "spot on". It still does not shoot the "tiny" groups that Varget produces, but if you are looking to load a lot of .308's in a hurry, and not require sub MOA, Benchmark works a LOT better on a progressive.

My bolt guns basically show the same results...Benchmark = 1MOA dropped from the powder measure, and Varget = 1/2 MOA with weighed charges.
 
#17
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

So it's clear that if I want sub MOA accuracy the right way to go is to still weigh my charges. I do not trust my MTM scale as far as I can throw it. What is a good scale that won't break the bank? And, what scale would u recommend if money is not an issue?
 
#19
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308Shooter1911</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So it's clear that if I want sub MOA accuracy the right way to go is to still weigh my charges. I do not trust my MTM scale as far as I can throw it. What is a good scale that won't break the bank? And, what scale would u recommend if money is not an issue? </div></div>

If your money is not an issue I recommend a Gen2 Prometheus to you, it is a full auto balance beam scale that will dispense the desired charge with in 1/3 of a kernal of powder every 15 seconds, if you have to ask how much then money is indeed an issue.
 
#21
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

I run a PACT scale and have been since about 1996???
I leave it plugged in 24/365 and my loading room gets down to about 38 in winter and 100F in summer when not in use. It is at PACT now for a tune up and has been "home" only twice before. Considering it has been plugged in and running continiously since 1996 I consider that outstanding service. I figure that is 43,800 hours between tune ups on average.
They get them back to you quick. I just found another used one on ebay so got it. Appears to be brand new so now I will have a spare 44,000 hours from now when original is ready for another tuneup.

Just for repeatability I weigh every charge throwing 3/10 low and trickle up. About two in 50 I will reweigh to see if it repeats and it always has.

An ultra sensitive scale would be nice but they are slow as any air movement in room will affect it including your own breathing.

I have a lab grade balance beam scale that is like this and it is slow but so very sensitive.

If you want it on the money you have to cut a kernal in half to get it to ZERO and turn your head to the side to exhale.

I should sell it as I don't use it as the PACT does fine for my long range use. Now I will have two.
 
#22
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hummer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I run a PACT scale and have been since about 1996???
I leave it plugged in 24/365 and my loading room gets down to about 38 in winter and 100F in summer when not in use. It is at PACT now for a tune up and has been "home" only twice before. Considering it has been plugged in and running continiously since 1996 I consider that outstanding service. I figure that is 43,800 hours between tune ups on average.
They get them back to you quick. I just found another used one on ebay so got it. Appears to be brand new so now I will have a spare 44,000 hours from now when original is ready for another tuneup.

Just for repeatability I weigh every charge throwing 3/10 low and trickle up. About two in 50 I will reweigh to see if it repeats and it always has.

An ultra sensitive scale would be nice but they are slow as any air movement in room will affect it including your own breathing.

I have a lab grade balance beam scale that is like this and it is slow but so very sensitive.

If you want it on the money you have to cut a kernal in half to get it to ZERO and turn your head to the side to exhale.

I should sell it as I don't use it as the PACT does fine for my long range use. Now I will have two.</div></div>
What model Pact do you use Hummer?
 
#24
Re: +/- .1 or .2 Grains a big deal? Hornady LNL AP

Went to the local reloading store today. They are going out of business but did have a used Pact Digital Precision scale. Talked the guy into that and a Dillon Beam Scale for 100$. I used the pact in conjunction with my Hornady power measure and my loads took little time. With Varget powder the measure threw anywhere from 44.5 to 45 grains in 20 throws so I will continue to measure every load. We'll see how everything goes at the range this week. Thanks for the info guys. ;-)
 
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