Thread: Load development issue

I’ll start by stating I’m fairly new to reloading.
I am currently working on a load with ADI2208, CCI 200, Hornady 139SST after having no luck with RE17.
I shot a ladder a couple of weeks ago with the following range of charges.
39.5
40
40.5
41
41.5
42
42.5
42.8
43
43.2
43.5

Groups were tight between 42.8 and 43.2 with 43 and 43.2 being very close. I only shot one ladder, and then 42.8,43,43.2 from the second ladder to see if I got the same results. I did, so opted for 43.1.
In hindsight I think I should have kept 42.5 in the mix as there were 4 holes touching on the first ladder. Probably focused on the hotter load too much.

First image shows a portion of the first ladder - 42.8-43.2 group


Second images shows partial ladder 42.8 - 43.2


Anyway, based on the findings of the ladder, I loaded some more rounds at 43.1, and started to experiment with seating depth. .02, .03, .05. They were all disappointing as were the rounds that were set to the same as the ladder’s seating depth.
I was shooting off someone else’s rest, not my usual sandbag, but I don’t think that’s to blame.

Third image shows those results, the top 2 groups are at 43.1 - seating as per ladder.
bottom left is at .05, middle is .03, right is at .02



What is the next step?
Re try off sandbags?
do OWC at 1g intervals between 42.5-43.2?
Should I just start over with the full OWC method?
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.