Load Testing Methodology

[Bfh_auto]

If you have an old pair of jeans, you can make a decent shooting bag for the front rest. My wife made me one when I want able to buy what I wanted.
For the platform you have described, I wouldn't hope for much better than a 2" group.
If you were getting soft ball size groups with factory and cut it down, it is an improvement.
You can use a piece of pistol brass with a piece of wire spun around it as a Dipper to help measuring charges.
One other thing, what scales are you using and is there an air duct near it?

 

[stillquietvoice]

I took advantage of the last hour of daylight today, temp 32 degrees intermittent snow and a steady 20 mph wind from between 7 and 8 o'clock. Fired 40 rounds of 223, 20 of which went on paper.

The low end of my workup 25.1 gr to 25.7 gr imr 4895 under a 50 gr hornandy semi pointed bullet.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Group shot from Caldwell front and rear bags. Noty best day.

Pulled several shots at 200. Damn cold fingers.