How Many Rounds?
- Thread starter Howa 9700
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Handguns....
After all the paper research I load a box of 50 bracketed around what I crowd source as the likely load in .2 gr increments. 10 rounds each charge. 5 for accuracy and 5 to chrono all the while watching for danger signs. Just easier to do it that way with an old school chronograph rather than lining everything up. With the component shortage I might go to the trouble or buy radar.
Rifles......(still learning)
Ten round ladder looking for accuracy nodes. Takes forever but I do take the time to get rifle, chrono, and target all lined up for accurate data. My Rem 700 has .151 of jump so I am just loading to mag length. My next rifle I also plan to do the ten round seating depth ladder aka Eric Cortina.
All that being said, I love the science so I am always tinkering and validating.
After all the paper research I load a box of 50 bracketed around what I crowd source as the likely load in .2 gr increments. 10 rounds each charge. 5 for accuracy and 5 to chrono all the while watching for danger signs. Just easier to do it that way with an old school chronograph rather than lining everything up. With the component shortage I might go to the trouble or buy radar.
Rifles......(still learning)
Ten round ladder looking for accuracy nodes. Takes forever but I do take the time to get rifle, chrono, and target all lined up for accurate data. My Rem 700 has .151 of jump so I am just loading to mag length. My next rifle I also plan to do the ten round seating depth ladder aka Eric Cortina.
All that being said, I love the science so I am always tinkering and validating.
kmw1954
Member
Being still sort of new to rifle shooting and rifle reloading I have a long way to go, been shooting and loading pistols for a long time but that's a whole different animal so I do get a bit confused at times.
I am doing this w/o any sort of chronograph so it's all shots on paper and looking for accuracy. I have described my methodology as this; work up initial loads in .3gr increments starting about .3gr above published start load. Load 12 ea and then shoot them in 3 shot groups each load at a separate target then repeat so that there are 6 shots on target and then repeat again on another fresh target. I can then superimpose them over each other to compare for 12 shots total.. This way I am not shooting just one 10-12 shot string at one target.
My question to you all and myself is now that I am getting better at shooting and reloading I am having a hard time discerning which poor shots are operator error and not the gun or ammo.
I am finding at times groups look great and where I want to be and then others that just fall apart. Then there are those that will string horizontally and then the next group with the same ammo string vertically. Though I am now getting to where I can tell that I pulled or dropped one.
I am doing this w/o any sort of chronograph so it's all shots on paper and looking for accuracy. I have described my methodology as this; work up initial loads in .3gr increments starting about .3gr above published start load. Load 12 ea and then shoot them in 3 shot groups each load at a separate target then repeat so that there are 6 shots on target and then repeat again on another fresh target. I can then superimpose them over each other to compare for 12 shots total.. This way I am not shooting just one 10-12 shot string at one target.
My question to you all and myself is now that I am getting better at shooting and reloading I am having a hard time discerning which poor shots are operator error and not the gun or ammo.
I am finding at times groups look great and where I want to be and then others that just fall apart. Then there are those that will string horizontally and then the next group with the same ammo string vertically. Though I am now getting to where I can tell that I pulled or dropped one.
AJC1
Member
Unfortunately it takes most of us thousands of rounds to become consistent every shot. Check weld position of the rifle on both bag and rest grip, shoulder pressure and more. The trigger jerk needs way more refinement than the loads.
kmw1954
Member
I thought that was a fishin expression... Jerk at one end of the line waitin on a jerk from the other end.
Still makes me wonder how much is the operator!
My mentor just sent target pictures of his new 6mm bench gun.. Nine 1" targets, 3 shot groups. Two were one hole, four were two holes. Makes me sick!
AJC1
Member
I may be guilty of having more than one time killer
Dale Alan
member
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Sounds like you are learning fast . As you gain confidence/skill in your reloading you will have that variable under control and soon be able to concentrate on shooting alone . Once you get to that level you will soon be able to detect human error , no matter how slight . I
It takes me about 100 rounds, sometimes way more, to settle on a handgun load.
Took almost 500 rounds to work up a really accurate load for the 357 Henry.
Waterboy3313
Member
It's amazing at how many variables come into play while working up a load and what is good enough from one person to the next.
For all my pistol loads I load 5 rounds each though out the powder spread from start to max in .02 incriminates. I used to load 10 but lowered it. I mark a separate target for each powder charge and send my 5 shot group at each designated target. If the group is tight and the pistol functions to my liking.
Then I load 5 rounds of the most accurate load 5 .01gr less and 5 .01gr more. Repeat steps at the range. Usually call that good enough if I can pull off a 2 inch group at 25 yards. I've found my .357 is more sensitive to trigger finger placement than anything else and my 45 acp seems to generally like the longest mag length 230gr rn that I make fit the magazine.
Both of those pistols probably shoot much better than my capability. Throw in shooting off hand and I feel like I do a pretty decent job at the range and at the reloading bench.
For all my pistol loads I load 5 rounds each though out the powder spread from start to max in .02 incriminates. I used to load 10 but lowered it. I mark a separate target for each powder charge and send my 5 shot group at each designated target. If the group is tight and the pistol functions to my liking.
Then I load 5 rounds of the most accurate load 5 .01gr less and 5 .01gr more. Repeat steps at the range. Usually call that good enough if I can pull off a 2 inch group at 25 yards. I've found my .357 is more sensitive to trigger finger placement than anything else and my 45 acp seems to generally like the longest mag length 230gr rn that I make fit the magazine.
Both of those pistols probably shoot much better than my capability. Throw in shooting off hand and I feel like I do a pretty decent job at the range and at the reloading bench.
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