I took my new -'06 to my mountain range and enjoyed my first day ever of working up loads with a chronograph. I have been shooting for many years but have enjoyed handloading the about the past 5 years. Today was the first day shooting my -'06 with worked up loads with a chronograph. Problem is I think I'm hooked now.

Results:

Winchester M70
Classic Sporter LT

180gn Barnes TSX Ave: 2568 fps
59.5 gn RL-22
Federal 210 ES: 19 fps
Winchester case
SD: 8 fps


Is this a reasonable result?

What is a meaningful ("good") ES and SD?

Is there a good source for learning about handloading for hunting purposes and understanding reloading statistics?

BTW, I really like my new Pro Chrono. Very easy to use right out to the box. Very pleased with results during sunset with varying shadows.
Registered a thrown rock to test and every shot fired.

Scott,

This may not be the answer you're looking for, but I use ES as an indicator only. While working up a load, ES generally comes down as the load reaches its 'optimum' band. Generally the best groups are found around the lowest ES, but not always. A 'good' ES is relative to the ES readings from the other loads only. If you can't get below 50fps or so, you may want to try a different powder / primer, but there are no absolutes. If there IS an absolute, it would be the group size. How were your groups?

SD only really becomes meaningful with shot strings of 10 and more.

Hope this helps. Nah, it probably doesn't

Meaningfull, maybe. Lower es & sd only mean something if it groups.

You SD and ES is EXTREMLY LOW for smokeless. Very hard to attain. I have to agree that it might not be the most accurate load though. Too much depends on the match of the bullet to the twist and the velocity it needs. You also have to factor in barrel vibration.