What am I doing wrong. SD question

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.

How are your groups?

Not the best but 1.25 moa average.

The first thing that comes to mind is your neck tension. See if it’s consistent.

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  1. 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.
  2. 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.

I’m just trying to eliminate variables.

What scale are you using?

Did you do any case prep like ensuring the neck tension was the same on each piece of brass?

Is each piece of brass the same? Same brand, same amount of firings, etc?

Are you measuring to make sure each piece is seating the same?