Some input on how to choose which loading

[RBDMTJager]

Went back to the range today, but with my Caldwell Precision Chronograph in tow this time. For some reason the Caldwell phone app wasn't working so I had to wright down each velocity after every shot. Found out it works much better set up at 10' from the muzzle than 15'.

Tried my three best performing loads and two new loads. When the last shot was fired it ended up being essentially a accuracy tie between my two best performing previously fired loads to date of 39 grains of Lil'Gun and 39.5 grains of Lil'Gun. With 39 grains turning in a three shot 0.576" 100 yard group and 39.5 grains gave a 0.647" three shot 100 yard group.

Range conditions were very good temps in the low 60's low wind at my back mostly sunny.

Yes I know how to calculate SD and ES but that's more math than I want to do right now, maybe later.

Chronograph results for 39.0 Grains were:
Shot #1-2460/fps
Shot #2-2489/fps
Shot #3-2501/fps
Chronograph results for 39.5 Grains were:
Shot #1-2496/fps
Shot #2-2510/fps
Shot #3-2489/fps



As the 39.0 grain loading has now given me three 3-shot 100 yard groups under 0.6MOA and was the most accurate over all loading I chose to use my three remaining 39.0 reloads to adjust my scopes POI for a hunting sight in to be 2.5" high at 100 and that puts me (I hope) 6" low at 200 and 14" low at 250 yards.

My question is this. Does ES and SD matter enough for at under 300 yards to be a deciding factor worth considering in choosing between two loadings when the slightly less accurate reload has a significantly better ES than it's more accurate rival loading?

My previous research on SD and ES showed me unless in the extreme, they both are like BC for bullets in SD, ES and BC really do not matter below 400 yards and I imagine this also applies to the 450 Bushmaster as it is IMO strictly a sub 300 yard deer cartridge.

I now plan on reloading enough 39 grain and 39.5 grain loadings to test out at 200 and 250 yards to make my final choice of which will be my hunting load for this rifle.

Unfortunately the two new loadings I tried 40.5 and 41.0 despite turning in a very impressive average MV' of 2571 (40.5) and 2601fps (41.0) with no pressure signs, neither perform nearly as well accuracy wise as 39 or 39.5.

[Texas Sheepdawg]

I may have missed it but I read it twice and I still don’t know what bullet you’re shooting. What are you shooting?

[RBDMTJager]

Opps my blonde moment
.452" 245 grain Hornady Interlock. Advertised BC of 0.165

[Texas Sheepdawg]

Cool. Thanks.