KSU, welcome to the forum... It is a joy to be able to associate with like minded folks with a wealth of information and generally great senses of humor. I enjoy watching the little good spirited zingers race across the boards.. Keep up the good work guys... Most appreciated.. Rol
New to site and new to reloading for accuracy
- Thread starter ksubuck
- Start date
Darkhorse
Handloader
- Mar 14, 2014
- 833
- 214
Definitely shoot 3 shot groups for initial load development, you got some good advice there. For one thing it takes to long for the barrel to cool with 5 shot groups. A lot of barrels start walking shots after they heat up. When that happens your group size gives you false information.
I never use factory OAL, I always determine a reading to my lands with a comparator, then everything is loaded from that reading.
Here's my method when testing a new load; I will load sets of three at 3 different powder charges 1 grain apart, at .030 off the lands.
Looking at the target and the shape and size of the groups I'll get an idea what charge the gun wants to shoot. Then I'll load 3 sets at my best guess powder charge, but now I'll vary the seating depth by .010
Then try to best guess again by looking at the target again.
I'll sometimes pick a charge I want to shoot and load 3 sets at different seat depths and then just do the same things over until I'm satisfied or drop that charge or powder and start again.
Examples:
I never use factory OAL, I always determine a reading to my lands with a comparator, then everything is loaded from that reading.
Here's my method when testing a new load; I will load sets of three at 3 different powder charges 1 grain apart, at .030 off the lands.
Looking at the target and the shape and size of the groups I'll get an idea what charge the gun wants to shoot. Then I'll load 3 sets at my best guess powder charge, but now I'll vary the seating depth by .010
Then try to best guess again by looking at the target again.
I'll sometimes pick a charge I want to shoot and load 3 sets at different seat depths and then just do the same things over until I'm satisfied or drop that charge or powder and start again.
Examples:
Attachments
- Thread starter
- #23
Lots of great information guys. Thanks. Unfortunately, load development will be put on hold until I can locate some more 70gr pills.
On the plus side I had a solid day at the range working on other loads. Dialed in my Kansas whitetail load. 7mm rem mag pushing 150gr ballistic tips at 3050fps. Groups are pretty and shooting sub half inch at a hundred. Worked the 243 out with 55gr BTips and found a node to work on using 45.0gr Varget. And finally got the 25-06 to settle in sub MOA with 110gr Accubonds.
On the plus side I had a solid day at the range working on other loads. Dialed in my Kansas whitetail load. 7mm rem mag pushing 150gr ballistic tips at 3050fps. Groups are pretty and shooting sub half inch at a hundred. Worked the 243 out with 55gr BTips and found a node to work on using 45.0gr Varget. And finally got the 25-06 to settle in sub MOA with 110gr Accubonds.
