How do you work up pistol loads?

JBrady555 · Jul 9, 2015

OK I've been reloading for about 18 months now, mostly 9mm but just started 223. I'm ready to take my loading to the next level. Until now I have been using mid range data for a given bullet and then I make up 50 rounds. 10 rounds in 5 different OAL's ranging from just under max oal to around 1.100, this is for 9mm mind you. I shoot the 50, determine the accurate length and that's it. Recently I've been reading that maybe I should be loading different charge weights to determine what's most accurate there before doing my oal test. I'm curious to hear how you guys work up loads so I can up my game. I'll be practicing with my 9mm loads and then I'll transfer the knowledge over to 223. My new le wilson micrometer trimmer will be here Friday and I'll start learning more about rifle loading. I know some of you will recommend me getting a chrony and I am planning on it in the near future. For now I can only load and observe groups though. Thanks for any info.

egd · Jul 9, 2015

I'm fairly new, but I go the other way about it. I have my preferred oal (~1.135 for my bullet, RMR 124 rn), then start different charge weights trying to find the most accurate fo that powder. I don't have a chrono either, but don't really feel I need one, other than maybe curiosity.

jmorris · Jul 9, 2015

First thing I do is define a goal, then load ammunition to meet said goal.

Some ammo just needs to go "bang" and not stick in the barrel or go "bang" and cycle an action.

On the other end load development is never over as your trying to make the single hole that consists of a 5 shot group an even smaller hole.

For gun games with a power factor I get a press close to where I can chronograph and work up loads that meet PF then load enough of them for further side by side testing with different combinations (bullet/powder). Then use the one that shoots and feels the best.

Garrobo · Jul 9, 2015

I open up a

reloading manual, follow the instructions and shoot a dozen rounds. If they are adequately accurate, I stop there. If not, I try another recommended load.

usfan · Jul 9, 2015

egd said:
I'm fairly new, but I go the other way about it. I have my preferred oal (~1.135 for my bullet, RMR 124 rn), then start different charge weights trying to find the most accurate fo that powder. I don't have a chrono either, but don't really feel I need one, other than maybe curiosity.

That's pretty much what i do, too. I'll use the book loads as a guide, & also consider experiences of others.. but nothing obviously over the top. I'll then go with different charge weights, & then try them out. I usually load 10 or so of each, to get a feel for which round works best. Then, if my target parameters are reached, i settle on a specific load, & crank out a bunch. Sometimes i load for power, other times for accuracy, other times for minimal functionality. I use the experiences of other shooters a lot, but it takes a lot of reading to sift through the BS & find a credible consensus.

mdi · Jul 9, 2015

When starting to load for a new to me caliber. I'll pick a load out of my reloading manual (powder and bullet) and purchase components. I'll start with the starting load using the book (reloading manual) dimensions for the components I'm using (OAL for the specific bullet). I'll then load up two cylinders full for a revolver, or two magazines for a semi-auto, and two magazines/clips for my rifles. I'll shoot and record the results (I use 8, 12, or 16 rounds to take as much of "me" out of the testing). I'll increase loads by .5 grain for most calibers (some handgun loads I'll go with .2 grain changes) until I find a promising load then "tweek" it by .2 or so grains. All these rounds are loaded to the same, book, OAL. Then I'll play with other factors like OAL, primers, crimps, etc., to find a "perfect" load...

wanderinwalker · Jul 9, 2015

Usually with pistol ammo I pick an OAL I like, or in the case of revolver ammo, whatever the crimping groove on the bullets ends up being, and vary powder charge. I'm looking for function and accuracy. Once I find something that satisfies both reliably, I'll load a whole bunch. And always make notes and labels about what has worked well.

What are you going to be loading in the .223 and what kind of rifle for? I realized your original post is about working up pistol loads, but we can probably help you short-cut some of the learning curve for your rifle reloading as well.

baseball2013 · Jul 10, 2015

I'm new to reloading and don't have a chronograph. Minimum loads are selected for a specific bullet and COL. Then I increase powder charges .1-.2 grains in small batches.

Accuracy had been very good with every recipe so far. No minimum power factor means that I like loads that just cycle the gun and get back on target fast.

BCRider · Jul 10, 2015

I can't say that I've ever sought the last few little bits of accuracy in my 9mm loading.

However with my CZ I did notice that a batch of cast 124gn I did shot consistently tighter groups than the jacketed and plated I'd been using up to that time. So try some cast lead loads. You may just find that it works out.

conventional wisdom on OAL says that you want to run as long as OAL as you can to where the bullet is just about headspacing on the rifling instead of the case seating up against the internal chamber rim. Of course you don't want to go quite THAT far or you run the risk of possible jams when the round doesn't headspace correctly and the slide is held back out of battery. But an OAL that is REALLY close to the bullet touching the rifling should help. From there play with velocity by altering the powder charge over a range. So I'd suggest that running the OAL over such a wide range isn't really the best way to seek that last bit of accuracy.

srtolly · Jul 10, 2015

I pick a bullet that I like and a powder from what I have on hand (I'll try something else if I don't get the results I'm looking for). I start with the minimum and work up in .2 grains at a time staying at least .1 grains under max.

LiveLife · Jul 11, 2015

JBrady555 said:
How do you work up pistol loads?

http://www.thghroad.org/showthread.php?p=8864541#post8864541

1. Determine max OAL/COL using the barrel

2. Determine working OAL that reliably feed/chamber from the magazine (Adjust/compensate length for mixed range brass)

3. Determine max case fill for bullet seating depth with powder used

4. Conduct powder workup with lowest published start charge

5. Determine the powder charge that reliably cycles the slide and extract/eject spent cases

6. Determine powder charges that produce best accuracy (accuracy nodes) as you work up towards max charge

Gravedigger56 · Jul 11, 2015

Currently I just reload plinking ammo to use at the local range. I always seat close to max OAL (plunk test). So far I have only used Hornady bullets so I pretty much stick to their data and choose a load that is slightly under max. I normally look for a load that doesn't create a lot of recoil. I haven't really found that one powder that I will choose over others and I am just having fun trying them all out at this point in my game.

gamestalker · Jul 12, 2015

With wheel gun, and since OAL is of no concern, I just worked up from mid table until i was satisfied with accuracy and velocity.

With rimless AL-ing cartridges I would first determine what OAL I was going to use, then work up from about mid table until satisfied with accuracy and velocity.

Outside of that, handgun is actually a bit more simplistic that high powered rifle.

GS

How do you work up pistol loads?

JBrady555

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egd

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jmorris

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Garrobo

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usfan

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mdi

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wanderinwalker

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baseball2013

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BCRider

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srtolly

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LiveLife

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Gravedigger56

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gamestalker

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