123 ELD and 8208

[Popeye212]

I’m getting decent groups. I even tried 2/10s on either side of the groups I settled on. Out of three bullets the loads have landed with each bullet from 27.0 to 27.8. Anything 28+ is definitely a no go. After putting a radius on the ejector I don’t see the swipes/extrusion at 28-28.3 with either one of the 123s I shoot. I guess I need to find some 450s. I understand any number of things could make a difference. Thank you for sharing Popeye. I’m happy hearing about someone else’s experience with a BA. Seeing Shilen,Bartlien,Lilja and Saturn make me wonder about mine but I see your posts and keep grinding away lol. I’m happy with what it’s done so far.

The 450's tend to give me the lowest SD's I am using them in the Creedmoor also.

[kc_edc]

I have been hand loading over 40 years and the one rule in finding a good load is only change one thing at a time. The first thing I suggest you do is ditch the lead sled. My buddy and I found out that rifles just do not shoot the same from them verses off a good front and rear independent rest with the stock in your shoulder. Take your ladder of powder loads and shoot only one shot of each load at the same target at 100 yards taking note of and numbering each shots impact point. Do this shooting over a chrno and record your velocities and ES and SD. When done you will see some shots low and some shots high but there should be a group in the middle that usually run close together like shots 4, 5, & 6. If the velocities are what you are looking for then you have found your powder if not do this again with a different powder. If velocities are OK I would then average in the middle of the first and last load in this group. Load up 5 of this load and change nothing else from the ladder loads and shoot a group. If this group is not satisfactory then start changing the seating depth of this load. I load 3 rounds of each seating depth. My original COAL for ARs is the longest that can fit in the magazine. I will seat my seating depth ladder 5 thousands deeper at a time going to between 20 and 30 thousands deeper or what ever the bullet will allow. You will usually have a depth that will stand out. If that is not satisfactory do a depth 2 or 3 thousands longer and shorter of the best of the ladder. If that don't work start the process over and change only the primer.
This can get time consuming and expensive but usually you find a good load with the first process.
If you can't find something that will shoot with that particular bullet it may be that your rifle does not like that bullet for some reason if the rifle is known to shoot other bullets good. Neither of my Grendel's like the Hornady 123 SST bullet but will shoot other bullets sub MOA with no problem.
Another thing I picked up over the years that helps tighten up groups is the old truism "aim small miss small". I draw 1" triangles on a piece of white paper with a black marker for targets. This allows me to aim right on the top tip of the triangle to get a more precise aiming point. Some people, like bench rest shoots with their official targets, aim at the square aligning their cross hairs with the top and one side of the square and making the intersecting point of the cross hair sit on the point where the top and side meet. Ain't load work up fun? Good luck.

That is the best explanation I have read so far of how to do this. Thank you.