Well, what I did was I measured each and every load on my Lee Scales by hand. I measure out the amount, then pour it into a little glass tube and put a cap on it. I have 12 of these glass tubes, and I do 6 or 12 at a time. After I do that, I begin loading my cases. I uncap a glass tube with the premeasured dose, put it in the case, set the tube aside and finish that load. Then I do it all over. It is a safe way to do it because I can see through the tube and know immediately if I double charged before it goes into the case. It makes the reloading sequence a little faster and methodical because I already have it premeasured, and can just move along with up to 12 rounds. Then I have to re-measure some more. The auto powder measure seems nice, but I don't know how to use the thing yet. Besides, I figure it is better to learn something conventionally first. You understand more about it.
Now the way I did my loads and maybe I misunderstood what it means by working up from the minimum to the max. I didn't start with the minimum and work my way up 1/10 of a grain at a time. Nothing or nobody ever explained it that way to me. I just started at the minimum listed, and then went up to the next load listed. Everyone says, go by the book, so I did. I strictly went by the book. I did not do any load that was not listed in the book.
My book has the minimum listed at 16 gr. (I think that is the number, I don't have the book here) Anyway, I loaded up some shells at that load. The next thing listed is 16.9, I think. So I did that. Then it lists 17.6, so I did that. But on that load I had the scale set on 17.5 instead of 17.6 by accident. It can be hard to see those little marks, you know! Using a REST, I shot those six. Well, in that group every hole was touching, and two holes were so close it was almost one. After the first group with the 17.5 I realized my mistake (if you want to call it that) and set the scale at 17.6. I made up 12 rounds. I shot 6 and they went crazy compared to the first batch. I thought it might possibly be me, so I quit for awhile. I came back a couple hours later and shot the other six 17.6's They did not group together either. So I reloaded 12 more 17.5's to see if there was a difference. I shot twice free handed just for fun. I put one in the bullseye, and 1 about 1/2 inch away from that. Yes, that could have been luck. But then I RESTED my gun again and fired 6 more. Except for the one that I pulled off on, the other five grouped together like the first set of 17.5's did. ALL SHOTS were at 12 yards. When I pulled off on the one shot, I knew I did it even before the gun went off. So it wasn't the load on that one, it was me. I can see accidently hitting something with one bullet, but to have both sets (12 shots all total except the one I pulled) of 17.5's in such close groups is not an accident.
I loaded up some at 19.2 and shot 6 of those. The group was better than the 17.6's , but not close to the 17.5 grain loads.
Now this evening I shot with a REST twice at the center of a box at 35 yards. Both were within 1 inch of each other just a hair high of dead center. I then went back to 57 yards. (I didn't know it was 57 yards until I ranged it with a range finder after I shot. I just backed up a ways, took a REST and shot. Now both of those bullets hit high and to the left about 6 inches, and they were about 1 1/2" from each other. The group was okay, but way off from the other group. Don't know what did that. Might be at that distance I am pulling and can't tell it, though I must pull the same every time. I'll have to play with that some more and see what happens.
Mal H, that the 1/10th of a gr. made that much difference is a surprise to me too, and you have to remember, I am new at reloading, so I didn't have a clue. I figured it would not matter, and that is why I reset the scales 1/10 higher back to what the book called for. Not for the difference sake, but to be doing what the book said.
RC, I am definately having fun! And it is the accuracy that I am shooting for. When I can shoot all the bullets into the same bullet hole, then I know I have it as good as it gets. A friend of mine has a scoped Contender in 7-30 Waters and he has his reloads just right. We aim at a pop bottle top and shoot it down to nothing. I can put all my shots in a 3/8 to 1/2" group at 25 yards. He can shoot all of them through the same bullet hole! I hate him.
Now shooting the different loads not knowing which were being shot would be interesting, but I don't see how it really helps. I don't think I am subconsiously hoping the 1/10th grain lower bullet will do better than the higher, so I purposely hold better for one set of loads than I would for the others. Then again, each person has to understand how they think about things and do accordingly. My brain just doesn't work that way. I hold aim the best I can for every shot regardless of the load or the situation. If I don't do that, then why fool with it? What I have to watch out for is if I get to playing games then I will lose track of what I am shooting and have to start over again. No, I'd rather know which is which and keep an accurate account of it. But that is just me, understand.
But now, I have run out of bullets and primers, and I can't get anymore until late next week. I have about 12 loads left, but I am keeping them for emergency use until I get the new stuff. You never know, I might have to shoot a ferocious groundhog, or an over zealous squirrel or something.
