[RM]

What's your procedure for testing newly reloaded rounds at the range? How many should be chronographed? What are you looking for in your results? What if your velocities don't match what's in the manual? Thank you for any advice/suggestions.

[Win52D]

I generally chronograph 10-15 of each powder charge...I also shoot groups with the same rounds. I am not so much interested in actual vs published velocity as long as it is reasonably close (25fps for pistols and 100fps for rifle) What you really want to focus on is the std deviation and extreme spread...the smaller the SD the better...if you are getting 25-50 fps difference then you should reyhink the load. I also staple the results to the target and write the load data on the target then file it away for future reference

[emb]

It depends on your purpose, target, hunting, matches, bench rest, long range shooting. I load primarily for hunting. My self imposed standard is that the load must do an inch or better at 200 yards with 5 rounds. Most of my loads do much better than that.

Trying to get get your loads to duplicate the loads in the load manuals is a waste of time, IMO. The bullet manufacturers test their loadings with entirely different equipment than us ordinary folks.

Once I get a load that performs well, I will run 10 rounds of that load through my chrono. I am mainly looking to establish a base line for velocity to work up a ballistic table for that load.

I admit that I have not tried to understand the purpose or reason behind a standard deviation measurement. Of the 10 rounds I chrono, all are at slightly different velocities, and therefore the SD may not be optimum. But the rounds all group well and hit to the same POA. In my world, that is what I care about.

I will then shoot the load from 100 to 500 yds to compare with my ballistic tables both for drop and wind drift.

In fairness, if I were shooting matches or were a bench rest shooter, I would be a lot more methodical in developing my loads. I do, however, load each round individually to be sure that each round is built exactly the same-at least as much as I can make it so.

Have fun and good luck.

[Grumulkin]

1. I don't ever chronograph new loads I'm working up. I'm looking for pressure signs and best accuracy and couldn't care less what the velocity is.

2. I make up sets of at least 3 cartridges for each increase in powder weight. I fire one round and look down the barrel. If there is a lot of powder residue, the pressure is quite low. I of course notice extraction effort and if the extraction is sticky I know the pressure is too high. Since I start my loads conservatively I have not to date ever had a high pressure sign on my first load of a load work up. I also inspect the primer for how flat it is and for signs of primer cratering. I also measure and record in a log book the three shot 100 yard group size for each load recipe.

[USSR]

What's your procedure for testing newly reloaded rounds at the range? How many should be chronographed? What are you looking for in your results? What if your velocities don't match what's in the manual? Thank you for any advice/suggestions.

RM,

My approach to rifle load development is a two step method. Initially, I am only concerned with finding a charge weight that puts me in a specific velocity range. Beginning with a starting/low load, I will load 3 cartridges, bumping up each successive group of 3 cartridges by 0.5 grains. At the range, I run these cartridges over the chronograph, stopping either when a suitable velocity is reached or pressure signs appear. Knowing how much velocity you can expect is dependant upon many things such as your reloading components, platform (boltgun, autoloader, etc.), and barrel quality and length. Also, being able to read pressure signs on your brass is something that is acquired with experience. Rarely will your load produce the velocity stated in the reloading manual, so don't worry about that. Once I have a charge weight that produces the velocity I am looking for, I load up 5 cartridges using that charge weight, and several groups of 5 cartridges varying by 0.3 grains both above and below the initial charge weight. This time at the range, I am looking for accuracy and low ES and SD numbers. The reason I do it this way is, there are usually several loads that can deliver accuracy using any particular cartridge components; I want to make sure I find the accurate load at the high end of the performance scale. Hope that helps.

Don

[emb]

RM

I probably misread your question. I load 20 rounds of a load combination with 4 rounds of the same bullet/powder combination. I vary the powder charge by .5 grn increments. I group and mark each combination with different color felt pens.

I buy white graph paper from the office supply store and depending on the optics, I will put 5 2" or 3" target dots on the paper. Each dot is a different loading.

I also do not initially use a chrono. I shoot for groupings and accuracy. However, a chrono can tell you an awful lot about your load and provide quite a bit of additional information.

[scrat]

i dont think so.

A chrono will tell you about the speed of the bullet. Thats what it was designed to do.

i usually make about 20 rounds of the same type. then make up other types as well. i mark the casings with a perm marker. Then on paper i record the results. batch one, recoil weak strong hard, at 50 yards shoots high, low. groupings were 2 3 4 5. number shots fired.

Then when i get home comes the real tail. I take out the cases. Then inspect the cases, checking for pressure signs, cracks primers. This will tell me a lot more than a chrono. Now if i had the speed that would be neat. but its all about the pressure.

Working up a load to obtain the best accuracy not the highest pressure. as we all know sometimes a high pressure load is your worst groupings.

[RM]

Thanks, Gentlemen, for your replies. It is very helpful for me as a new reloader to read your differerent approaches to testing and the information you are collecting.

[elkhuntingfool]

What's your procedure for testing newly reloaded rounds at the range?

I usually take one of my employees that I don't like and have them test out my near max loads :)

[Afy]

My 'new' process is as under:

Select a powder and load for a bullet using Quickload. I am looking for >85% case fill, and >98% powder burnt. Then I will pick the load at about ~5 or ~6 Node for Optimal Barrel Time.

Cross check against the manuals that the load is safe +2% and -2% of this load. Load up a bunch of cartridges ~15 and go shoot.

Does it work? I have no idea. Will let you know later today.

I really am not interested in velocity, only accuracy and the smallest groups possible.

[Afy]

Yes it does work! No for fine tuning ... +/- 0.1gr increments... :D:D:D

My 185 gr Scenars are delivering .5 inch, 5 shot groups at 100 meters at 71.6 grs of VV N165... provided I dont flinch. Messed up a couple of groups today.

Finally I have load for the .300 WM that works... :neener: