Thread: Load Development - Velocity vs Accuracy

Something I've been thinking about for a while now, since I started the process with the 6.5 06 and after some effort (and setbacks), Ive got the 143 gr ELD -X at around 2950 fps and grouping at about .4 - .5. Often there'll be 3 shots through almost the same hole and 2 out to the side marginally
On paper, you'd have to say that this sort of consistent accuracy is all you need right?. I mean its a dead animal out to 500yds plus any day of the week
So does it matter a rats arse if the velocity has an ES of say 40 fps, even if the target doesnt support what the chrony is saying?

a wise man once said."many a good load has been ruined by a chronograph"


let me ask you another question,which will answer your first.
IF you tested that load on paper and had only guestimated velocity with book data...would you be happy with load????? farkin oath you would be.....
go back and pull out Matt n Bruce Grants book "the sharpshooter" what was arguably the bible for hunting semi long range in the days before rangefinders and chronicgraphs were common place.....a ES of 40 wasnt so bad back then ......

Greetings Bos,
Further to what Micky has shared above I also have a question. If you have tested the load out at say 300 yards and there is no vertical stringing then I am with Micky all the way. Chronographs often spit out both extreme spread and standard deviation and these are regarded with great awe by some. Others, myself, Micky and perhaps you regard it interesting but secondary to how the rifle actually shoots. I invite you to join our club.
Regards Grandpamac.

Can I ask what barrel and length you're running in your 06?
If your not shooting past 500 have you considered going to a 130 like the scirocco or berger?
I would be frustrated with a 40fps ES because I have issues but it won't be a problem out to 500

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I used to have good accurate loads, then I bought a Chrony and it all turned to shit. Seems too much info can just confuse things sometimes.
I might start again, and leave the Chrony at home from now on.
Edit; I'm not very smart, so 'kiss' is relevant.
Edit; edit; I know enough to not confuse smart with clever.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Bos,
Further to what Micky has shared above I also have a question. If you have tested the load out at say 300 yards and there is no vertical stringing then I am with Micky all the way. Chronographs often spit out both extreme spread and standard deviation and these are regarded with great awe by some. Others, myself, Micky and perhaps you regard it interesting but secondary to how the rifle actually shoots. I invite you to join our club.
Regards Grandpamac.

Invitation wholeheartedly accepted
Being what is considered "old school", I always test a load out to 400 and even as far out as 960 if I need to. So I know how the group is perfoming on paper which must be the ultimate decider, regardless of what the chronograph says.
Technology is great but confidence in repeated bullet placement is what counts

Originally Posted by R93

Can I ask what barrel and length you're running in your 06?
If your not shooting past 500 have you considered going to a 130 like the scirocco or berger?
I would be frustrated with a 40fps ES because I have issues but it won't be a problem out to 500

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Hardy Carbon wrap 24 inch. I hear what you're saying but sometimes ridge to ridge shots are whats needed, so whether thats 400 or 600, I'll still have a go. Those 143 Gr ELD-X's seem to be prtty brutal

Originally Posted by Bos

Hardy Carbon wrap 24 inch. I hear what you're saying but sometimes ridge to ridge shots are whats needed, so whether thats 400 or 600, I'll still have a go. Those 143 Gr ELD-X's seem to be prtty brutal

What powder?

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Originally Posted by R93

What powder?

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Re 22 (55Gr)

Originally Posted by Bos

Re 22 (55Gr)

I had a 26" and loaded for a mate with a 24" in 6.5-06
His 24" was as fast as my barrel with same load. N560 worked for us if you get a chance to try it. That is if you haven't already.
I miss my 06.

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Check your spread/grouping at 500 or 600 yards. If it’s 3-5 inch then you can forget the ES out of your chrony, and go hunting. I’ve been running RL25 in my 6506ai and getting 2930 fps with RP brass, ES <10. And 2980 fps with Norma brass but ES is up around 30-40. I settled on the RP and slightly slower speed

What kind of chronograph? If in doubt try some long range target shooting and look at the vertical spread. I have had good results with the 143 eldx in my 260. Im the same as R93 i dont think my OCD would handle that extreme spread, but for some applications it would be more than acceptable.

Out to 500m, a 40fps spread could mean max of 1.5" out = dead deer.
Out to 800m, a 40fps spread could mean max of 4" out = wounded deer.
Out to 1000m, a 40fps spread could mean max of 9" out = miss.

If you ever shoot that far
If you ever shoot deer that far
If YES, nothing beats holes in paper to confirm...

Originally Posted by JaSa

Out to 500m, a 40fps spread could mean max of 1.5" out = dead deer.
Out to 800m, a 40fps spread could mean max of 4" out = wounded deer.
Out to 1000m, a 40fps spread could mean max of 9" out = miss.

If you ever shoot that far
If you ever shoot deer that far
If YES, nothing beats holes in paper to confirm...

But then you need to add in the accuracy of the rifle so .4Moa-.5Moa @ 500yards plus muzzle velocity variation. still probably a dead dear.

deer not dear thats some poor spelling