Working up a few rounds for Ruger Predator. I'm new to reloading. I've loaded up 24 g Varget, 25 gr Varget, and 26 gr Varget. Pushing 53 gr Hornady hp. Cci 400 primers in once fired brass. Do you think that's too large a gap in powder weights? Should I be jumping up in half grains? I listed those, some imr 4064, win 748, bc-2 or something like that. I thought I'd try to see which pieces worked best, then I would fine tune the weights. Am I going about this right?

For small cases I normally start with 1/2 gr increments and fine tune from there. Bigger cases such as '06 based cases and magnum cases I go with 1 gr increments.

Not going to make much difference at all other than velocity.

IMR 4064. 24.5 grains... Pushing 53gr match hollow point. That's the ticket. In my Ruger American Predator, it shot lights out. Better than Varget, Blc-2, Win748 for me. I was really impressed. I haven't measured my group yet, but looks under half inch at 100yds. That's with a lead sled laying across a four wheeler rack. I'm new to reloading, but dang, this is fun. Especially if I can get those groups out of that gun. I didn't think I could shoot that good. Now I can't wait to stuff powder in them and try it again... Next up. 7-08.

Varget would be my first choice for the 7-08.
Bullet choice&Barrell length?

On my Kimber Montana it has a 22 inch 1:9. I think I'll load 139 gr Hornady SST Interlock. For my A-Bolt Micro Hunter that I bought for my little girl. It has a 20 inch 1:9.5". For it, I bought some 120 gr Barnes TSX. I'd like to load those to be real soft shooting. She's just turned 5. I want to slowly let her work up. She's still very scared of loud noise. It may be a couple or 3 years before she's ready. I'm not going to push her. But at least handloads will allow me to do that.

I've pushed 150-170 30-30 soft points/flatpoints outta .308 .30-06's @2500 fps and they thump inside 150 yards. The 120s are smart choice for your youngster.