Range Report first venture with reloading , 168 & 175SMK, .308

[bodywerks]

Went out this morning and shot some of my 'work-up' hand loads through a chrony. It was really a fun experience! Seeing the actual results through a chrony is really an eye opener as to how it affects accuracy. I was still just shooting off a bipod, and I had been up for 20+ hours by the time I got to the range, amped up on coffee to keep me going, so I knew the groups weren't going to be that great. Still, the data proved valuable, and I got some interesting numbers and groups. I didn't take note of which shot blew what hole, but the lower velocities in the groups punched the lower holes - go figure...
Pertinent info:
Savage FCP-k, 1:10 twist, 24" barrel with muzzle break
60°F, 35% humidity, 3,000ft elevation, wind 7-9mph 1/2-3/4value left-to-right.
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">ALL GROUPS SHOT AT 200 YARDS</span></span>
First load was 168SMK over 43.0g Varget, PMC brass, 2.790 COAL:

Velocities:
1) 2651(lowest POI)
2) 2688
3) 2695
4) 2706
5) 2697

 

[bodywerks]

Re: firts venture with reloading , 168 & 175SMK, .308

Next load was 43.5g Varget, PMC brass, 2.810 COAL
Still a 5-round group @ 200 yards, with two through the same hole:

Velocities:
1) 2718
2) 2758
3) 2729
4) 2727
5) 2749
fairly consistent velocities, or no? Shots 3 &4 produced the bughole...

 

[bodywerks]

Re: firts venture with reloading , 168 & 175SMK, .308

3rd group was the same load, 43.5g Varget, PMC brass, but 2.802 COAL:

Velocities:
1) 2744
2) 2625 (WTF???)
3) 2732
4) 2735
5) 2729
Seemed like seating the bullet further off the lands produced a better group and slightly lower average velocity, even though I did have one shoot at over 100fps slower than the rest - go figure. Without that one, my E/S would only be 15fps...

 

[bodywerks]

Re: firts venture with reloading , 168 & 175SMK, .308

Next one was 45.0g Varget, PMC brass, 2.805 COAL

Velocities:
1) 2776
2) 2676 (WTF? - and that was the low one of the group)
3) 2722
4) 2771
5) 2774
Not a bad group, I might look into this load further.

 

[bodywerks]

Re: firts venture with reloading , 168 & 175SMK, .308

Was starting to get tired, but I wanted to test some of my 175 SMK's. This is where I started determining COAL by how far the bullet was off the lands instead of measuring OAL with a caliper.
Low starting load of 40.5g varget, Hornady brass, .010" off the lands.
The load was so weak that the POI was a foot lower than my POA, lol! So what you are seeing is two groups. Th lower group is the 40.5g load:

Velocities:
1) 2497
2) 2455
3) 2470
4) 2462
5) 2465
Ok, and here's the badass mofo load! The group above the 40.5grain group was shot with 41.5g varget, Hornady brass, and .010 off the lands. For 200 yards, the group isn't bad, but check the velocities:
1) 2525
2) 2525!
3) 2516 (this is the one that hit lower than the rest and into the orange of the target)
4) 2525!!
5) 2526!!!
DAMN! I don't know much about consistency standards for handloading for accuracy, but that can't be too bad, right?
This load is where I started learning a more consistent technique for neck-sizing, powder trickling to get exactly the right grain weight, and bullet seating. looks like it paid off!
Gotta say, this whole handloading venture has opened up a whole new side to this awesome hobby! I have more loads to work, but I ran out of time at the range. Can't wait til next time...