cartridge oal vs powder charge

[Old Corps]

Gentlemen,sorry to ask a question that has probable been asked before but I am playing with a new gun and load. If I use same bullet with this load can I not change charge without changing OAL until I am satisfied with velocity and then if necessary tweak OAL? Thanks :|

 

[jimbires]

yes , it is best to only make one change at a time when developing a load . I play with powder charge first . then I play with cartridge length .

 

[Kodiak]

Some rifles become a PITA when it comes to small groupimgs. Maybe even changing the primer can be the answer to smaller groups.

 

[DrMike]

I would strongly recommend working up your charge first in a new rifle. When you find a good load with a reasonably small standard deviation, then you can play with seating depth.

 

[SJB358]

I would strongly recommend working up your charge first in a new rifle. When you find a good load with a reasonably small standard deviation, then you can play with seating depth.

Same method here, I work the most accurate powder charge, then run a seating depth profile to see if there is anything that jumps out.

Like Jim said, I stick with only changing one thing at a time though..

 

[Sas874runner]

I would strongly recommend working up your charge first in a new rifle. When you find a good load with a reasonably small standard deviation, then you can play with seating depth.

Same method here, I work the most accurate powder charge, then run a seating depth profile to see if there is anything that jumps out.

Like Jim said, I stick with only changing one thing at a time though..

I am with these fellas. I like to start certain bullets at a starting jump fron the lands and load 3 rounds of each charge working from min to max charge. Watching for pressure signs as well as grouping. When I find a load that groups best I then do a seating depth profile to tighten groups or pull a flier in.

 

[jimbires]

if a guy has a long enough range to shoot at, I still say shooting ladders is probably quickest way to narrow down a load .

 

[Sas874runner]

Infact here is pics from a load development is just started for my 300 rum and 200 gr AB using rl25. I have done a lot of loading for this rifle and my previous load was a Max book load so I loaded in 1gr increments to book max at which point I went to .5 gr increments. From this point I have loaded the 92.0 gr charge at different seating depths to find the node that will pull the flier in. At 92.5 I pulled the last one. But I was also starting to get a very slightly flattened primer. Bolt lift was still smooth but it was a sign I was reaching the peak of pressure. So back down a bit to be safe.

 

[SJB358]

That's some great shooting from that boomer!

Jim, that's about what I do as well.. I kinda do it a little different, but the same end result I think.

 

[Sas874runner]

This load was short cutted. I started my oal where my previous load was and with the previous load I didn't have pressure signs until I hit 1.5 gr over book max. So I kinda skipped the places I knew were safe with this load and rifle. Of course even knowing the rifle and how it works with this powder I continually checked and double checked and watched for pressure signs every step. Just to be safe.