I use my enlarger for exposures of the step wedge on both paper (initially) and then film as well.
Your density readings indicate a couple of things. The first is that the film is overexposed and the second is that the film is overdeveloped.
Typically one would want a density range (high value density minus low value density--not film base plus fog) of 1.05 to 1.20 for enlarging (dependent on enlarger light source). Your density range of 2.53, while suspect, is certainly beyond that range.
What I would suggest is to decrease exposure by a couple of stops and decrease your development time by an equal amount. Retest based upon that adjustment and then see what your density range is.