Hello all, recently reloaded for 7mm-08 160 grain Speer Grand slams. I loaded them spec with h4350 44 gr total federal mag primer. I had an SD of 17.6 and wide velocity spreads. My SD is usually below 10 even with my muzzleloader. I triple check my powder before putting it in the cartridge. Is there something I am missing? I loaded these for a friend but eventually want todo a full work up on these for myself.
I am not looking for the ultra pinpoint accuracy. These are in the woods general bear and deer loads. I would like consistency though.
A low SD is understandably desirable. However, if, like you mentioned with not needing absolute accuracy, if this is a Woods gun for deer and Bear then having a high SD really isn’t going to hinder you.
But if you do want to chase it that is certainly understandable. I would think the biggest things to improve would be changing your primer, a 7mm-08 doesn’t typically need a magnum. Or you may change powder
You may be very right on the magnum primers. Reason I prefer magnum primers is the conditions I hunt in. -27 was my coldest night in a tent last year while hunting.
Brand new to loading but last week with my loading mentor we were loading the 168 gr ABLR in my 16” tikka 308. at 44 grains of varget, the bolt was a little sticky and the SD’s were in the high teens. groups were in the 1ish MOA range. Dropped to 43.5 grains and a 3 shot group had sd of .9 with an ES of 1.9. Group size went to less than .5 inch with 2 in same hole. Now, again I am extremely new to reloading and know about enough karate to get my ass kicked but I was pleasantly surprised to see that much change with a very small variable change. Currently loading out 20 more of that load and will do more testing but I think I found my round for that gun. Not sure if it will help you but worth a thought.