How Many Rounds?
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CoalCrackerAl
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I do it in steps. Usually 10 rounds.
.308 Norma
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"Depending on what you want to do with it" - "Depending" is the key. I don't think it took 20 rounds for me to "work up" what I consider the perfect, all-around big game load for my .308 Norma Magnum - a charge of H-4831 behind a Sierra 165gr HPBT gives me a little better than 3,100fps, and I won't bore y'all with how accurate it is.
On the other hand, years ago my wife and I were trying to "work up" a good, all-around load for her then new Ruger 7mm-08, and we were using Hornady 139gr SPBTs. We tried a couple of different powders, different seating depths, different primers, AND different shooters, and that darned thing wouldn't put 3 bullets in 3 inches at 100 yards no matter what. We ran through a whole box (100) of those Hdy 139gr SPBTs before we ran out, and ended up sticking 5, Hdy 139gr SP (flat base) bullets in the last 5 cases we already had charged with IMR 4320 (if I recall correctly) powder. THOSE 5 Hdy,139gr flat-based SPs all went in an inch at 100 yards.
So what I'm saying is, it took us a hundred rounds to figure out my wife's Ruger 77, 7mm-08 doesn't like Hornady 139gr BTSP bullets.
kalielkslayer
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I probably overdue it but I’ll buy the bullet I bought the gun to shoot. Then load ladders going up .3 grains starting 2 grains below max to 1.5 grains over book max. But I’ll do that with 3-4 powders. I’ll usually be near 100 bullets just working up a load.
Most times the groups will tighten as I go up to a certain point, then start to get bigger.
I load a fouling shot every 3rd group. I’ll shoot the fouling shot, 3 groups, clean and start over. When I’m working up a load I let the barrel cool between shots. I’ll usually set up at least 3 targets and shoot at least 3 guns. Otherwise I get anxious and don’t let the barrel fully cool.
But my last purchase was a .243. I wasn’t sure my barrel twist would stabilize heavier bullets (1-9.25) so I bought 9 different bullets ranging from 65 grains to 105 grains. I have some 87 grain Barnes loaded, just haven’t shot them yet.
PS: This for hunting rifle trying to get as much accuracy as possible. Pistol? For what I do, just a 5 round function test for every gun it may be used in.
Most times the groups will tighten as I go up to a certain point, then start to get bigger.
I load a fouling shot every 3rd group. I’ll shoot the fouling shot, 3 groups, clean and start over. When I’m working up a load I let the barrel cool between shots. I’ll usually set up at least 3 targets and shoot at least 3 guns. Otherwise I get anxious and don’t let the barrel fully cool.
But my last purchase was a .243. I wasn’t sure my barrel twist would stabilize heavier bullets (1-9.25) so I bought 9 different bullets ranging from 65 grains to 105 grains. I have some 87 grain Barnes loaded, just haven’t shot them yet.
PS: This for hunting rifle trying to get as much accuracy as possible. Pistol? For what I do, just a 5 round function test for every gun it may be used in.
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whughett
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My technique was to load 10 with the starting load, then 10 more in several increments until the max. Usually this amounted to 40 rounds. At the range 5 of each fired for function (s) depending on gun style, and pressure signs the the remaining 5 each for group. Usually I could pick from those the better load for accuracy.
My minimum for testing a load is 2 magazines full for semi-auto pistols and semi-auto rifles, two cylinders full for my revolvers, and 10 rounds for the others (single shot), shooting over my chrony and for accuracy. If a load looks promising. I'll go another "2" round. If still looks good I'll go 25-30 rounds. Sometimes I'll go more (I like reloading) or do a minor tweek and try another round of testing. I only test one load at a time (one bullet, one powder, one powder charge, etc.)...
AJC1
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For a total test most likely over 100. First is ocw and pressure combined. Start at minimum shooting 3 shot groups to maximum. Analyze for best groups and velosity dips and then load for seating depth test, another 30 or so. Last fine tuning of powder after seating depth and done. Pistol I just do ocw.
WeekendReloader
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For pistol, I'll make 5 at each ladder step. I step up 0.1gn at a time. This is usually 25-35 rounds.
Then I'll take the best results and make another 10-20.
Then I'll take the best results and make another 10-20.
Nature Boy
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For precision rifle load development, 82 rounds.
Powder charge (OCW) - 21 (includes 3 foulers)
Seating depth - 21 (includes 3 foulers)
Primer test - 20 (+/- depending on how many primers you want to evaluate)
Verification at 500 yards - 20
Powder charge (OCW) - 21 (includes 3 foulers)
Seating depth - 21 (includes 3 foulers)
Primer test - 20 (+/- depending on how many primers you want to evaluate)
Verification at 500 yards - 20
AJC1
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Which means if you by a box of 100 you have 18 left... bulk boxes for target work are almost required if you want to keep your sanity.
Blue68f100
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Don't know. I had a AR that would not shoot 55 gr bullets, best group was 1.5moa. I put over 2k rounds threw it, 6 different bullets, and 6 powders. I eventually shot the barrel out trying to get it to shoot these light pills. The new barrel I installed had no problem. Less than 1 moa on only 40 rounds fired.
If I can put 3 rounds into an inch with a load that at least duplicates factory speeds I'm done. For example 2800 fps is considered pretty typical for published factory 308 loads and 150 gr bullets. I want at least 2800 fps and if I can do it with closer to 2900 fps then that is great. If I have to slow down to 2700 fps to meet my accuracy criteria then it's time to try another powder.
I have never gone into load development blind. If lots of other shooters are getting good results with 47 gr of Varget and 150 gr Accubonds then chances are good that I will too. No need to reinvent the wheel to build a car. With that in mind I may load 3 rounds each at 45 gr, 45.5, 46, 46.5 and 47 then head to the range. The fastest load that puts all 3 into an inch wins.
Over time I may do some minor tweaking to experiment with minor powder charge changes and seating depth just to see what happens. But I've found that stuff rarely makes any meaningful difference.
I have never gone into load development blind. If lots of other shooters are getting good results with 47 gr of Varget and 150 gr Accubonds then chances are good that I will too. No need to reinvent the wheel to build a car. With that in mind I may load 3 rounds each at 45 gr, 45.5, 46, 46.5 and 47 then head to the range. The fastest load that puts all 3 into an inch wins.
Over time I may do some minor tweaking to experiment with minor powder charge changes and seating depth just to see what happens. But I've found that stuff rarely makes any meaningful difference.
GeoDudeFlorida
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For handguns, 15 per powder/per projectile is the minimum for me. 5 @ middle of start/max range, 5 @ Mid+ .2gr, 5 @ Mid-.2gr. For rifles, probably double that. 5 @ Mid-range, 5 @ Mid+.2gr, then down from Mid in .2gr steps to min. Per powder for each projectile.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Which is why I buy or trade in the thousands when I find a bullet that works for me. Lot numbers be damned, I have yet to see any difference between lots of 168gr. Sierra BTHP .308" bullets out of my Remington 721. I have right around 3000 of them left - IOW: getting low.
There is no real answer for the question at least not a short one, it would have to start by answering some questions like what is the gun capable of in terms of accuracy? What am I planing on doing with the gun,hunting, target shooting? Expectations will also play into this for example I don't own a bolt gun that will not shoot 1/4" 5 shot groups at a hundred yards now they are all custom but that's want I want. I have had ones that I was so close to start with it was hard to get much better and some have gave me fits
many combinations
many combinationskalielkslayer
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Remington 721? Wow! I thought I was the only one that had one of those!
Dale Alan
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I am happy if I can get a load in 60 rounds , two 30 round sessions . I shoot from the bench mostly so I can easily tweak it from there if I feel the need . Even after finding the load I may still adjust to the summer heat or winter cold which can fluctuate 140 degrees at the extreme .
BWS
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My varmint rigs need to be a little tighter on the accuracy but other than that.... this isn't too much different than here. Do research on what's reasonably expected,evaluate the dope,see what's in inventory,then load some up.
memtb
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Last September I experienced my most enjoyed, as in least number rounds to develop a rifle load. I loaded 10 rounds of my homegrown 430 grain cast bullets, for my unfired Marlin GG in 45-70. The first 5 were used @ 50 yards on a large piece of freezer paper, to get scope on paper, look for pressure indications, and test for proper feeding!
After those 5, I moved to 100 yards. First shot was at (near enough) to proper height. I adjusted scope to move impact to the left.....and promptly shot a 4 shot group @ a fraction over 1”. Velocity was 1790 fps.....I’m a happy camper!
memtb
jmorris
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It depends on what the goal is. When trying out different bullet weights and powders, loaded to a given power factor. It might be one round, until I reach the velocity goal, then crank out enough for further testing and repeat.
No need to load a bunch of rounds I have to later pull down because they are completely useless.
Of course it helps expedite the process if you can load where you shoot or you will have to make many trips.
No need to load a bunch of rounds I have to later pull down because they are completely useless.
Of course it helps expedite the process if you can load where you shoot or you will have to make many trips.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Does anybody in Florida or Georgia use that kind of a rig? If so, how do you deal with the humidity? My reloading setups are already extremely portable but the bugs, flies, gnats, humidity and heat are real killjoys. I can do portable bug zappers and deet but the moisture down here is a problem. Any thoughts?
OK, answers are about what I expected. Less than 10 to at least 50 or more. Some many, many more.
My reason for asking is I'm now thinking I need to revise expectations and mindset. Especially the latter. I'm loading for one gun.....a 270....that is only used for hunting.....and light target practice to be proficient at hunting and to verify scope is still sighted in........but hunting is almost exclusively MO whitetail deer or the occasional coyote that turns up in the wrong place at the wrong time. And in nearly 40 years it has been around......I doubt any deer have been taken.....or even shot at.....past 200 yards. Most 100 yards or less. Yearlings, does and the occasional larger buck when they screw up and present themselves. So if we can get this shooting 1 MOA groups or close, that far exceeds the abilities of the shooters that will be using it.....or need to get an accurate bullet placement to anchor them on the spot.
Shopping for bullets, what I found available was Nosler partitions. But those are running upwards of $1.10 per bullet. We gnash our teeth at the prospect of primers at 20 cents plus each, but cost of a round is the total cost of a round.....and I'm thinking there equally effective, yet far less expensive options that will serve my purpose. Point being don't worry about a 15 cent primer if you are shooting a $1 bullet you don't really need, when a less expensive bullet will do just as well.
Going by Midway prices, even Hornady and Sierra hunting bullets are running 40 cents each. Then there are the Speer Hot-Cor bullets which are priced at 20 cents each. The Hot-Cor is flat based bullet that performs well at lower velocities....but ought to be more than effective on our fat little deer.
But you can load and shoot those well enough for a novice shooter (I have several) to get the practice needed to be proficient and find a load that will work.......if the gun will accept it.
I gotta buck my instincts, which is to go big, bold and expensive........when good enough will do just fine. Maybe better.
My reason for asking is I'm now thinking I need to revise expectations and mindset. Especially the latter. I'm loading for one gun.....a 270....that is only used for hunting.....and light target practice to be proficient at hunting and to verify scope is still sighted in........but hunting is almost exclusively MO whitetail deer or the occasional coyote that turns up in the wrong place at the wrong time. And in nearly 40 years it has been around......I doubt any deer have been taken.....or even shot at.....past 200 yards. Most 100 yards or less. Yearlings, does and the occasional larger buck when they screw up and present themselves. So if we can get this shooting 1 MOA groups or close, that far exceeds the abilities of the shooters that will be using it.....or need to get an accurate bullet placement to anchor them on the spot.
Shopping for bullets, what I found available was Nosler partitions. But those are running upwards of $1.10 per bullet. We gnash our teeth at the prospect of primers at 20 cents plus each, but cost of a round is the total cost of a round.....and I'm thinking there equally effective, yet far less expensive options that will serve my purpose. Point being don't worry about a 15 cent primer if you are shooting a $1 bullet you don't really need, when a less expensive bullet will do just as well.
Going by Midway prices, even Hornady and Sierra hunting bullets are running 40 cents each. Then there are the Speer Hot-Cor bullets which are priced at 20 cents each. The Hot-Cor is flat based bullet that performs well at lower velocities....but ought to be more than effective on our fat little deer.
But you can load and shoot those well enough for a novice shooter (I have several) to get the practice needed to be proficient and find a load that will work.......if the gun will accept it.
I gotta buck my instincts, which is to go big, bold and expensive........when good enough will do just fine. Maybe better.
WeekendReloader
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Better is the enemy of good.
memtb
Member
With your circumstances, the novice shooters, and your game animal.....I’d say, go “Hot-Core”! Speer’s have generally been pretty good bullets. If you start shooting for long range or larger game.....you can then reconsider bullet options!
This will seem contrary to my history of almost 30 years using exclusively Barnes bullets. But, our situation is a bit different. Only the wife and I, and we use one bullet, one load on everything from deer/Antelope to moose, elk, bear! memtb
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The answer is always "it depends" When I started I quickly found that the boxes of 50 were never enough as I'd use most of that for development (or more) and be left having to find stock somewhere to actually load enough for hunting or practice. I almost always start with at least a purchase of 100 unless I have prior experience or load data. Even then I might buy more, because that is what we do
As far as number of shots to develop a load. It always depends because what is good enough for one person is not for the other depending on what they are trying to accomplish. To hit a 4" circle 100 yards away for deer hunting may be good enough for one person, but others will walk away in disgust. While I load mainly for fun and target practice I generally am not satisfied unless I can get something around 1 MOA.
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