When it comes to handloading the fun starts with the research, selecting and matching powders and bullets to the rifle. This forum, other forums, published load data, and the many articles that are written all help, after you extract what I consider to be BS. I have found that there is no sense try to invent the wheel, if there is good data available. My goal has always been to achieve the best accuracy I can get with enough velocity for the bullet to be able to perform as it was intended. An example of this is my 6.5-284. I consider this my long range rifle and at 800 yards the best accuracy comes with a muzzle velocity in the 2850 - 2950 fps range, with 140 gr bullets. This is well below the velocity that this cartridge is capable of, but it seems to be the sweet spot for the Cooper.
Other then the Cooper, most of my rifles are for hunting. The goal for my handloads for my hunting needs is to have loads that can produce best 3-shot groups at the maximum range that the cartridge was intended to be used to take game. It isn't the same for a .35 Rem, 7X57, or .280 Rem. I start with my test loads an 50 yards. This may seem strange, but I have a 50 yard range at home and can walk out the door and shoot, don't waste time with shooting ladders at 50 yards. I do this before making the 25 mile drive one way to range that provides 100 and 200 yard capability. There are times when a load that looked promising at 50 just wasn't close to being acceptable at 200, but it works more times than it doesn't. If I'm lucky that 25 mile drive only has to happen 2 or 3 times, but more may be needed.
For sure, this process is not always relaxing and can even be a little frustrating, but when everything comes together, JOY!
Other then the Cooper, most of my rifles are for hunting. The goal for my handloads for my hunting needs is to have loads that can produce best 3-shot groups at the maximum range that the cartridge was intended to be used to take game. It isn't the same for a .35 Rem, 7X57, or .280 Rem. I start with my test loads an 50 yards. This may seem strange, but I have a 50 yard range at home and can walk out the door and shoot, don't waste time with shooting ladders at 50 yards. I do this before making the 25 mile drive one way to range that provides 100 and 200 yard capability. There are times when a load that looked promising at 50 just wasn't close to being acceptable at 200, but it works more times than it doesn't. If I'm lucky that 25 mile drive only has to happen 2 or 3 times, but more may be needed.
For sure, this process is not always relaxing and can even be a little frustrating, but when everything comes together, JOY!
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