Thread: Load Testing Analysis. What do i make of this?

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Again 7RMBoy,
The Nosler data is the hottest I have seen listed currently so would suggest not going above 63 grains. The data is the same as was listed in Nosler's No 1 manual from 1976 with slight changes in velocity. I suspect the loads crowd the 52,000 CUP or 60,000 PSI limit pretty hard. IMR4831 was introduced in the early 1970's, about the time that load data started to be pressure tested. All new handloaders start out infected with a degree of velocititis (a burning desire to achieve the maximum velocity possible at any cost) but most recover over time. 62.5 grains of IMR4831 interpolates to 2,990 fps. If you can chronograph that load it will give you an idea of pressure. If the velocity is close then pressure will be too.
If you are concerned over getting that last erosive foot per second I suggest a little exercise. Construct a couple of drop charts, each with the Accubond zeroed at 200 metres, but with one for 2,800 fps and the other 3,000 fps. this will show the difference between a hot load and one less so.
I also would not read too much into the accuracy of a single group for a load. You could shoot your set of loads again and get quite different results. That's just the way loads are. To me the 62.5 grain load looks promising so I would retest that one with a couple more groups before I change it much. A couple of clicks left on the scope and a few loads and you are ready for hunting. Further development can continue between hunts.
Regards Grandpamac.

Hey Granpamac,

Just whipped up a ballistics chart and noted that the difference isn’t that major really. There is a 6inch drop difference at 500m and roughly a 200fps and 200ftlb difference between the 2800fps and 3000fps.
To be fair the velocity doesn’t really bother me aslong as the bullets group well and will preform at distances out to the 5-600m mark. Which both of those examples would.
Thanks for the reply