First 5 rounds ever done! *Updated with Range Reports!*

[SixPointEight]

No, just buy a set of dial calipers, and copy the spec in your reloading manual

[Fiveohmike]

Well here is the range reports. I apologize ahead of time for the lenght and ammount of pics.



Winchester Brass, CCI primers, SMK 175g, 40.5g Varget powder:



Winchester Brass, CCI primers, SMK 175g, 42.5g Varget powder -ON THE RIGHT

Winchester Brass, CCI primers, SMK 175g, 43.0g Varget powder -ON THE LEFT



Winchester Brass, CCI primers, SMK 175g, 43.5g Varget powder with 2 flyers that were my fault



Winchester Brass, CCI primers, SMK 175g, 44.0g Varget powder




Things I learned today:

1. I did the reloads right! They all went bang with ZERO malfunctions!!!

2. I need a brass catcher, as concrete jacks the brass up

3. I am a TERRIBLE shot

4. I need to work loads from 43.0 to 44.0g in .1 increments to find my load


Im so pumped I didnt lose a hand or damage the rifle!!!

Mike

[SanPedroShooter]

Awesome! What was the range distance?

[Fiveohmike]

Awesome! What was the range distance?

100yds at Chabot

[Ahhnother8]

Things I learned today:

4. I need to work loads from 43.0 to 44.0g in .1 increments to find my load

Mike

You are getting vertical stringing in that velocity range. Keep going up and get away from that. You are looking for nice round groups. One tenth grain increments are a total waste of time, barrel life, powder, and bullets. Go to at least one quarter grain increments and halves are not all bad.

[Fiveohmike]

You are getting vertical stringing in that velocity range. Keep going up and get away from that. You are looking for nice round groups. One tenth grain increments are a total waste of time, barrel life, powder, and bullets. Go to at least one quarter grain increments and halves are not all bad.

So to try and tighten the groups up, i should make some loads at 44.5 and 45.0 and test them out?

[SixPointEight]

So to try and tighten the groups up, i should make some loads at 44.5 and 45.0 and test them out?

This depends on what your primers look like at 43.5 and 44.0gr.

Try to use a rest, I don't want to sound mean, but looks like there's a good amount of shooter in those groups, so the data will be skewed.

I did the same thing working up a load for my ar the first time.

[Martan]

I'm new to reloading as well , but I think JT1989 is right, this looks to me like a shooter problem, some of these groups look like my first groups with 147gr. 308 ammo I bought at gun show.
What improved my groups was the rear bag and new trigger. I'll be going to a range with my rifle after new HS stock upgrade and my first reloads as well, I'll post it when I have my targets. I can't wait to see my first reloads punching holes...

[Fiveohmike]

This depends on what your primers look like at 43.5 and 44.0gr.

Try to use a rest, I don't want to sound mean, but looks like there's a good amount of shooter in those groups, so the data will be skewed.

I did the same thing working up a load for my ar the first time.

No offense taken lol. If you look at one of my points about thigns I learned from today was that I am a terrible shot lol. I need to get a rest for the buttstock, to stabalize the gun while I work on my technique.

[Gio]

No offense taken lol. If you look at one of my points about thigns I learned from today was that I am a terrible shot lol. I need to get a rest for the buttstock, to stabalize the gun while I work on my technique.

You can use a sand bag or two on the buttstock to help stabilize the rear.

[SixPointEight]

If you don't feel like buying a rest or sandbag just yet, a rolled up sweatshirt will work fine in a pinch.

[killshot44]

So to try and tighten the groups up, i should make some loads at 44.5 and 45.0 and test them out?

Yes. What Ahnother8 said. 1/2gr increments on that charge weight is about 1% of the total, perfectly fine....for a .223 with a charge weight of roughly half, the increments will also be half, or .25gr increments....

The vertical stringing could also be evidence of powder variations from case to case. Measure your charges carefully. The vertical can also be the shooter, use a front and rear rest if you can.

Regardless, congrats on your first handloads. You'll never shoot factory again!

[Fiveohmike]

You guys got a recommendation on a stable rest?

[sbmunshi]

The triad or Caldwell rear bags are nice or I've seen some use diving weights. You'll find something that works for you. Ultimately you're trying to keep the shooter error out of the equation.

[Shoot-it]

Not bad I think you did good considering your shooting an a ar-15 not a bolt action with a good trigger.

Anyone of those shots would be a kill on hogs or deer.
To get by you can use money bags and fill them with sand then sow them up .