changing powder in 7x57

[bigrich]

okay , there's some knowledgeable fellas on here with reloading and i want to pick your brains i do a comp in classic calibre in 7x57 with 160gn speer boat tails . been using 2208 cause i have a bit of it , good accuracy just of starting loads , 34gn with new brass 33.5gn with once fired, sub half inch groups at 100 but it burns dirty and the barrels worn in needing load tweaks as groups have opened up . i've also been developing a hotter hunting load with 2209 which is much cleaner burning and has great accuracy . my question is , to find the accuracy node with the mild 2208 powder charge with 2209, what's more important pressure or projectile speed ? hope i explained that properly . i know i should just ladder test with the 2209 , but being able to approach this using less powder and bullets going through ladder testing will help my wallet . look forward to your replies

[No1Mk3]

Experiment over the chrony with powder/primer until you establish lowest ED/SD at a velocity euitable for the ranges you shoot. Establish a position 1.5mm off the lands and load at 0.1 increments until you get 2 consecutive small groups. This is your accuracy node. This is the method used by the man who shot a 1.3" 5 shot group at 1000yds in F-Open.

[bigrich]

Experiment over the chrony with powder/primer until you establish lowest ED/SD at a velocity euitable for the ranges you shoot. Establish a position 1.5mm off the lands and load at 0.1 increments until you get 2 consecutive small groups. This is your accuracy node. This is the method used by the man who shot a 1.3" 5 shot group at 1000yds in F-Open.

thanks for your reply mate , cheers