Seating depth range trip

[TedBrewer5]

I went to the range today to try a little seating depth work. Original load is 123 gr ELD-M over 27.5 gr Tac. That group was .89”CTC 4 and one flyer that I know I pulled. COAL was 2.24. I shot two more 5 shot groups today at 2.218”(trying for 2.2 but the first one I loaded was 2.218 so I went with it.)and 2.20”. 2.218”was ok but the 2.20” was a keeper at .65”CTC.[ATTACH=CONFIG]20200[/ATTACH]

[LRRPF52]

What sample sizes would convince you that the different seating depth is the variable that corresponded with tighter group dispersion?

I’m thinking for me, I would probably want at least 10 groups of each seating depth, but I’m not as picky as I used to be anymore since I like shooting steel.

[TedBrewer5]

Now dang. I sounds like I need to go shoot more of the two depths that group well. Challenge accepted

[grayfox]

I don't have the bullets or the time to do 10 groups like that, esp for all the different rifles I have.
But I would suggest some confirmations, maybe in next couple-3 trips, do a 5-shot group each time.

But the other thing I would add is that, to my experience for what it is, the eldm's are not 0.02" sensitive to OAL delta's. Bergers maybe, idk, but not eldms. If the first group was 2.240, personally I would try 2.230, 2.250, along with 2.240 as a start. If one of the 2 other OALs was better, see if you get confirmations in, again, 2-3 more 5-shot groups. I use separate trips, not all the same, to isolate the shooting, so if they all shoot well, there's no real connection between trips so the oal should be gtg.

Because the other variable you have to contend with is the shooter/setup that could be great one day and so-so the next (unless you are a bonafide sniper/PRS guy, to which I would concede anyway!).
But like I said, I'm not the best or winningest shooter out there, just an old guy... so just throwing in my 2 cents here.

[TedBrewer5]

I am going to load up 10 each of the 2.24 and the 2.20. Just finished up brass prep and will load up when I get some free time. Velocity average of test shots was 2345.
GF- to your point on shooter error I also shot 5 rounds of 27.6 8208 with the ELD. My first three were touching and I got a little excited about the possibility of that developing group. The next two I fired were touching an inch low. Overconfidence? More than likely. I will reshoot that powder charge to see if I can do better. Velocity was 2415. COAL was 2.24

[grayfox]

Believe me I know the feeling! I'm the newbie in this stuff, but very interested. I learn more from you guys than the other way 'round I'm sure!
Now with all this practicing, I just need for the deer to come to my parties, that's the hard part!!!
But fun and engaging nonetheless.

[TedBrewer5]

Hang in there. That deer will show up. Skip over to the hunting thread and check out my biggest Grendel buck taken back in the end of Oct.

[Timitus]

"Because the other variable you have to contend with is the shooter/setup that could be great one day and so-so the next"

Such a true statement. I like to tell weekend warrior hunters the same thing on sight in days. You cant send a few rounds down range the day or weekend before and believe your good to go at all hunting ranges. You have to get out there multiple days and shoot at multiple ranges, and in different positions to prepare for the field.