First successful handload groups! And a Question...

[b.faust]

First off, thanks to everyone here for help, advice and great information.
You guys come through for me every time!

So I did a batch of handloads, and took them out the the range just to make sure they'd go boom and all was well. Once I was through that I started experimenting and working up my loads.
Sunday these made me incredibly happy. It's the tightest I've ever shot out of that rifle.
(Noveske AR-10 SS barrel, 18" 1/10 twist. @100 yards. 168 grain SMK)





I shot a control group with Federal match first (10 rounds)
Which was dead center but a wider group than the Varget.

Later I shot some RE-15 handloads, but again the group was a lot wider, yet it was centered on the target (a hair to the left)
The Varget shot pretty tight as you can see, but also almost two inches left of center.
I've read this isn't uncommon for certain loads to require a re-zero, but this seems pretty far left. Thoughts?

Last I'm torn. The 42 and 41.8 were my best two loads. Should I try a 41.8, 41.9 and a 42 again or not split hairs and just pick one?
Handloading is way to much fun....
B.

[Wrangler John]

Everyone should have problems like that! Great first try, or even for an old seasoned handloader on his 10th try.

Don't worry about the group shooting to a different point, each load will change a bit. That's what adjustable sights are for -

Load some more of the test loads and shoot them again, just to check consistency. The thing is, a handloader will never stop trying new recipes, it's like searching for the Holy Grail or Fountain of Youth - it becomes a quest. Every time a new powder or bullet comes out, it all starts again.

Now where did I put the new can of Hodgdon's CFR223 powder?

[b.faust]

Everyone should have problems like that! Great first try, or even for an old seasoned handloader on his 10th try.

Thanks! But I cheated a little bit. I started by researching other people's successful loads with varget and everything seemed revolved around 42 grains.

I have some XBR, some AR-Comp and I'm not ready to give up on the RE-15 yet.
The mad science part is way fun.
My next batch is for the .223 though. I've got some 75 grain hornady just begging for a super forumula....

[gau17]

I would definitely try to load those again just to make sure it wasn't a fluke.

I'm not sure about AR-10 but on bolt action there are multiple accuracy nodes. You might be able to find another one. You seem to be on the low end of the spectrum.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2479128

[b.faust]

I would definitely try to load those again just to make sure it wasn't a fluke.

I'm not sure about AR-10 but on bolt action there are multiple accuracy nodes. You might be able to find another one. You seem to be on the low end of the spectrum.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubb...Number=2479128

I know, that's the first thing that crossed my mind actually "Fluke".
Great link!
They seem to be using 175 grain, I'm using 168 grain smk.
Thanks!
B.

[gau17]

Sorry about that. Here is more good reading re: loading for a gas gun.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1733744

[rsrocket1]

Multiple accuracy nodes are typical. Sometimes one node is wider than the other. You want to load to the wider node if it is practically possible (fast enough and not at the top end of "safe"). That way, slight variations in powder drop, changes in air temperature and changes through a shooting session will keep you in that node for a longer time.

[gotsig]

Last I'm torn. The 42 and 41.8 were my best two loads. Should I try a 41.8, 41.9 and a 42 again or not split hairs and just pick one?
Handloading is way to much fun....
B.

That's what I do, I would also load 41.7 and 42.1,then pick the best group and load 100