First afternoon I shot at 144yds, off a bench Loads were 63, 64gr, 65, 66 and 67, basically pressure and velocity testing. Readings 63 - 2970 64 - 3033 65 - 3063 66 - No read 66.5 - No read 67 - No read This last 3 I assumed error, then realized it may have been too dark for chrono (Chrony Alpha). Besides 63 and 66gr, that may have been my mistake, rounds stacked on top of each other, with vertical stringing. To me those were relaticely accurate speeds
Following day I loaded for a 405yd Audette (first time doing this) Shooting prone and chrony at 5yd, on floor (not sure if this caused weird numbers, cause all of these where strange). All of these were round robin, but on same POI, minus the 63gr that were on 10" gong to confirm calculated dope (1.6mils at 405yd was still a bit low)
63 - 3083, Err, 3111 64 - 3220, 3204, 3245 (chamber may have been hot for last) 65 - 3227, 3286, 3333 (chamber hot for last) 65.5 - 3319 66 - 3348 66.5 - 3264, 3382
On shot each at same POI, revealed a potential clusters, though I am not clear on the 66.5/67 landing point (and this may negate the whole ladder test). I am not that experience shooting prone of bipod either, bu velocities still got me puzzled. These velocities were over 200fps over the ones the previous day. This is a new barrel (had only 10 shots thru it before, 1 factory round of Fed Premium with 160gr Partitions, and 9 reloads of 160 Sierra GMK 160g with 63 gr RL22 on a metal gong), but I don't believe the gain in speed should be that much from 1 day to other and after 16 shots.
Any input on how to proceed? I am thinking loading for OCW groups from 64.8, 55.1, 55.4, 55.7 and 66. Shoot at 200 to decrease possible variables, or keep the longer distance? Reality is I could probably load 65gr and call it good for hunting inside 400yd (which would be a looooong stretch for Texas piney forests)
