Okay first the good news: First time use and I didn't shoot my chrony (even at exatly 15 feet). All 6 rounds measured within 5 fps of each other, with the exception of 1 with a deviation of 7 fps. I now can really appreciate everyone's advice to "work up" and I believe it to be an absolute must to own and use a chrony first reloads. (Sadly I did not.)
I have the RCBS 5-0-5 scale. The scale is balanced and balance verified every 15 reloads. (It has never need adjusting once in a specific position on my bench)
I am using RL 19, CCI 450 and 225 AB
My cleaned prep cases are at 2.494 +- .002
Reloaded at 3.334 +- .002
There is no sign of excessive pressure on the case or spent primers. (3rd time use)
In an earlier post I mentioned that my 74 grain load comes up to the bottom of the neck. The Nosler 6 does confirm this is a compressed load. Even the 72 grain load is a compressed load. If we look at our Nosler 6 Reloading Guide on page 475, I am speaking of the measurement at 2.170. Also in an earlier post I mentioned that my action froze 2 times on me after a number of 74 grain but this was after about 35 rounds so the rifle might have had a heat issue as well? I retested with 72, 72.5 ans 73. All were fine with no lockups.
I went back out today with a box of 73 grain loads. Setup for three rounds with the chrony at exactly 12 feet. The muzzle velocity was all within 4 fps. ....but I saw something that appeared not right so I set the chrony at exaclty 15. Again the muzzle velocity was all within 5 fps for two rounds and 7 fps for the last one. ....I stopped here.!!!!!! Something was wrong!! The accuracy was 3" groups but at this point I did not care.
Here is the Big Issue - my muzzle velocity is 3198 FPS
I have been beyond careful working up my reloads so as soon as I got home, I made sure the scale's last time use was at 73 grains and it was. I made sure the scale was exactly perfectly balanced and it was. I pulled 4 cases from different positions in the boxes that I have reloaded and carefully making sure I did not spill any powder, measured each one at a time. I could not have gotten 73 grains mesured any more perfectly for each one.
Help! I am very confused.
Is it that I should only use 70 grains to start with and chrony that for FPS. If so, what FPS should I be shooting for with the 225 AB matched with accuracy?
I wanted to state everything I thought was pertinent so sorry for the long post.
Thanks
Steve
I have the RCBS 5-0-5 scale. The scale is balanced and balance verified every 15 reloads. (It has never need adjusting once in a specific position on my bench)
I am using RL 19, CCI 450 and 225 AB
My cleaned prep cases are at 2.494 +- .002
Reloaded at 3.334 +- .002
There is no sign of excessive pressure on the case or spent primers. (3rd time use)
In an earlier post I mentioned that my 74 grain load comes up to the bottom of the neck. The Nosler 6 does confirm this is a compressed load. Even the 72 grain load is a compressed load. If we look at our Nosler 6 Reloading Guide on page 475, I am speaking of the measurement at 2.170. Also in an earlier post I mentioned that my action froze 2 times on me after a number of 74 grain but this was after about 35 rounds so the rifle might have had a heat issue as well? I retested with 72, 72.5 ans 73. All were fine with no lockups.
I went back out today with a box of 73 grain loads. Setup for three rounds with the chrony at exactly 12 feet. The muzzle velocity was all within 4 fps. ....but I saw something that appeared not right so I set the chrony at exaclty 15. Again the muzzle velocity was all within 5 fps for two rounds and 7 fps for the last one. ....I stopped here.!!!!!! Something was wrong!! The accuracy was 3" groups but at this point I did not care.
Here is the Big Issue - my muzzle velocity is 3198 FPS
I have been beyond careful working up my reloads so as soon as I got home, I made sure the scale's last time use was at 73 grains and it was. I made sure the scale was exactly perfectly balanced and it was. I pulled 4 cases from different positions in the boxes that I have reloaded and carefully making sure I did not spill any powder, measured each one at a time. I could not have gotten 73 grains mesured any more perfectly for each one.
Help! I am very confused.
Is it that I should only use 70 grains to start with and chrony that for FPS. If so, what FPS should I be shooting for with the 225 AB matched with accuracy?
I wanted to state everything I thought was pertinent so sorry for the long post.
Thanks
Steve