Load development

[runtohunt]

After testing loads for pressure, I was taught to load up four cartridges for each bullet/powder combination. The first shot, I am told is a fowling shot. After shooting each group, I was told to clean the gun completely and fire the next group. I have been following this regimen for the last 6 years. Between waiting for the gun to cool, cleaning, and waiting for other shooters to go down range, I feel as if the bulk of my time is unproductive.

I was thinking about not cleaning in between groups.

How many of you folks do develop loads in this manner. What is your exact process?

 

[CatskillCrawler]

After breaking in a barrel, I don't completely clean it until I see a loss of accuracy or shoot ~100 rds through it, whichever comes first, or put the rifle away after the hunting season.

I have been known to run a boresnake with some Hoppes #9 and repeat dry thru a barrel every once in awhile if I'm not near 100 rds and plan on doing more load work or hunting. All of my barrels prefer to be fouled. Most take 3-5 rounds thru them before settling down.

Each barrel is different but I think you're wasting money on cleaning supplies, time and powder and bullets if you clean between groups. If you're not using a coated rod you may also be harming your barrel.

 

[venatic]

I only clean if I am changing from one type of powder to another but not bullet types/brands. I have also seen it take a couple of shots after cleaning for the load/barrel to settle back down. I do try to not let the barrel get too warm.

 

[muleman]

I don't clean between loads and I always fire at least 3 fouling shots after a cleaning before I settle in to test loads. I clean after each range session unless it is just a few rounds to check zero. I seldom shoot less than 100 rounds at the range . During the hunting season I seldom do more than a thorough wipe down and the barrel is kept fouled.

Scott

 

[JD338]

I load 3 of each powder charge weight and let the barrel cool between shots/loads. I do not clean between loads.

JD338

 

[OU812]

I load 3 of each powder charge weight and let the barrel cool between shots/loads. I do not clean between loads.

JD338

Same here.

 

[runtohunt]

Thanks for the info. I shudder to think how much time and cleaning supplies that I have wasted.

 

[onesonek]

Thanks for the info. I shudder to think how much time and cleaning supplies that I have wasted.

Yeah, like mentioned, I don't clean until accuracy falls off. That varies between barrels.

 

[SJB358]

I load 3 of each powder charge weight and let the barrel cool between shots/loads. I do not clean between loads.

JD338

Same here, but I load 4 now, just in case I throw one and want to verify... Usually three works and I use the left over for foulers on the next go around..

 

[PJGunner]

Most load work ups use three shots per charge.I wait one minute between each shot in the winter and at least two, sometimes three minutes between shots in the summer. When it 110 in the shade, waiting any longer is a waste of time. Once I have three loads that are near what I'm lookng for, I go through the same process only shooting five rounds of each load. Althugh it get hotter'n hell, I prefer doing my load work ups at that time (summer) as pressures show up a bit sooner. Any load that is safe at 100 plus degrees will certainly be OK come the cooler weather of hunting season. Unless accuracy falls off, once I have that load, I don't clean until after the hunt is over.
Paul B.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

RTH, I shoot one round into the ground, then shoot a 4 shot group. Open the bolt, set the rifle in the rack, then pick up a different rifle and repeat, cycling through two other rifles, while I wait for the first to cool.

Fire a box of 20 through each rifle, then go home and clean.
Unless you have a super light pencil thin barrel, Letting the barrel cool between each shot, and cleaning between every group is excessive, and unnecessary.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Use ladder tests! Really saves on the components. I used to use the five shots of each .5gr increments method, but now I'm all about ladder tests. Find the perfect powder charge in 10-15 shots.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I only use a copper brush about every 100 rounds or so, when accuracy in that rifle declines at the range. Plus I will thoroughly brush clean a rifle at the end of the shooting season. Otherwise, I just clean with solvent, patches and lightly oil the bore each time that I use a rifle. Most of my rifles also shoot into the same group with a clean bore or at least close enough that I do not worry about a shooting fouler in all but a couple of rifles.