Pick my group

[sstephns]

Three charges, same bullet, length, case, etc. 

 

Leaning towards this one that's strung out laterally, but curious what others think. 

 

Group sizes are approx 0.49, 0.5, and 0.58 MOA in order. 

 

Load data is FC case, Win LR, 178gr ELDX, 2.800 COAL, Shooters World Precision Rifle (43, 43.5, and 44gr). Chrono data is at home, will update later.

Edited January 10, 2021 by sstephns

[Farmer]

I would try a match primer just to see what would happen, but that’s just me.  
But yes the horizontal one would be my choice too. 

Edited January 10, 2021 by Farmer

[RePete]

Pic #2.

 

As Farmer said, pick a match primer.  I like Federal 210M or CCI BR2.

[sstephns]

If I could find them, I might. SDs were good though. 

[sstephns]

Powder Weight	Velocity	Group Size	Average	STD DEV
43	2534	0.49	2549.0	9.4
43	2549	0.49	2549.0	9.4
43	2549	0.49	2549.0	9.4
43	2559	0.49	2549.0	9.4
43	2554	0.49	2549.0	9.4
43.5	2549	0.5	2571.6	13.2
43.5	2574	0.5	2571.6	13.2
43.5	2574	0.5	2571.6	13.2
43.5	2583	0.5	2571.6	13.2
43.5	2578	0.5	2571.6	13.2
44	2599	0.58	2606.0	9.7
44	2599	0.58	2606.0	9.7
44	2614	0.58	2606.0	9.7
44	2599	0.58	2606.0	9.7
44	2619	0.58	2606.0	9.7

[Farmer]

See, this is the stuff that drives you crazy!!! I’ve had loads that SHOULD have been one hole groups but weren’t. Others that the sd/es were over 100 were on a dime. Just friggin nuts. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a combo of barrel vibrations, me flinching/ farting at the trigger break and the gravitational pull of the moon at the exact instant of ignition.

[AHI]

Can you extend the distance. Lets say you are shooting these at 100 yards . Now shoot the same ammo at 200 yards.

Usually that will open up the groups and quite possibly show a preference. Otherwise pick #2. Also #2 is in the middle of 

a node. A little vernation in powder charge, a change of temp, humidity will have less effect.

[mrd]

On 1/12/2021 at 6:04 AM, Farmer said:

See, this is the stuff that drives you crazy!!! I’ve had loads that SHOULD have been one hole groups but weren’t. Others that the sd/es were over 100 were on a dime. Just friggin nuts. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a combo of barrel vibrations, me flinching/ farting at the trigger break and the gravitational pull of the moon at the exact instant of ignition.

The target don't lie, I pretty much disregard the SD and just judge by the target. I only use SD to choose between two otherwise identically performing loads.