I got to do a bit of load dev with 75gr BTHPs loaded at mag length (2.260 COAL) today. First I shot a 5rnd control group with my current load which is loaded long.
24.7 N150 @ 1.935 BTO: 5rnds = 0.18 moa @ avg MV of 2935 fps
Then I moved on to rounds loaded to AR mag length of 2.260 COAL (I've het to measure what the actual seating depth difference is but it's sizeable). I planned on shooting 2x 3 rnd groups of each charge weight and then looking at group size as a composite of both groups but I just ended up shooting 1x 6rnd group instead.
23.8 N150: 6rnds = 0.40 moa @ avg MV of 2837 fps
24.1 N150: 6rnds = 0.38 moa @ avg MV of 2864 fps
24.4 N150: 6rnds = 0.50 moa @ avg MV of 2891 fps
24.7 N150: 6rnds = 0.26 moa @ avg MV of 2923 fps
25.0 N150: 6 rnds = 0.29 moa @ avg MV of 2934 fps
I'm kinda surprised that the avg MVs are basically the same at the 2 different seating depths as I expected the rounds loaded at 2.260 to be moving faster and to show more signs of pressure (which they didn't). I'll grant that the sample sizes aren't large enough to be statistically significant but I still thought I'd see more of a difference.
For my uses with my trainer .223 bolt gun, it's a wash between 24.7 and 25.0, 24.7 is ever so slightly tighter but 25.0 has an ES about 5fps lower (44.8 vs 39.0). Neither is really important for a gun that is very rarely shot past 700. I'm sure I could tighten up the ES if I cared by throwing the charges on my Auto throw/trickler but I don't really care to do that for .223 and just throw the charges on a manual thrower and am ok with +/- 0.12gr of variance. I figure I'll stick with 24.7 cause there is never any harm in going with the lighter charge. I'll try 24.7 in an 18" gas gun tomorrow. It's not a precision barrel (keeps 24.4 N150 inside 1.50moa @2650fps) but I'm interested in seeing what kind of speed I get with this load. I've got a 20" Krieger Hbar coming for a different build and I'll try this load in it as well and report back.