How to work up test loads?

[Espy42]

Now that I have the 650 producing dummy rounds consistently, and our gun club reopened, I want to work up test loads.

I will be using RMR 115gr over HP-38 at 1.1" COL. Per the Hodgdon load data, I'm going to start with 4.3gr and work up to 4.7gr.

My question is, how many test loads should I prepare?

I'll test in my Ruger P-89. Should I test 2 groups of 5 for each load?

Thanks.

 

[TBL65]

Here is a thread with a lot of good info thanks to @LiveLife
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-10#post-11419509

I just got some coated bullets to try for the very first time and plan to use the methods outlined in his posts.

 

[LiveLife]

RMR 115gr over HP-38 at 1.1" COL. Per the Hodgdon load data, I'm going to start with 4.3gr and work up to 4.7gr.

I am guessing you are using RMR FMJ RN (And not FP or HP). FYI, if you are referencing Hodgdon load data (BTW, W231 is same powder as HP-38), the listed OAL is for lead RN, not FMJ. And many usually load 115 gr FMJ/RN to 1.130"-1.135" OAL - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

• 115 gr Lead RN W231/HP-38 COL 1.100" Start 4.3 gr (1,079 fps) - Max 4.8 gr (1,135 fps)

And before conducting your powder work up, you want to first determine the max OAL then working OAL using the information covered in linked post above - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-10#post-11419509


BTW, here's Speer load data which uses 115 gr TMJ RN at 1.135" OAL - https://www.speer-ammo.com/download...m_caliber_355-366_dia/9mm_Luger__115_rev1.pdf

• 115 gr Speer TMJ RN W231 OAL 1.135" Start 4.4 gr (1026 fps) - Max 4.9 gr (1133 fps)

For me with various 115 gr FMJ/RN bullets loaded to 1.130"-1.135" OAL, depending on recoil spring rate of pistols (Fullsize vs Compact), I started to get reliable slide cycling at 4.5 gr of W231/HP-38 and accuracy trends at 4.6 gr. I use 4.8 gr as 9mm reference load on par with Federal/Winchester white box because 4.8 gr load produces greater accuracy than 4.6 gr load. (But many happily use 4.6 gr, especially with plated RN bullets)

My question is, how many test loads should I prepare?

I'll test in my Ruger P-89. Should I test 2 groups of 5 for each load?

I used to test 5 rounds but now test 10 rounds at each powder increment as 10 round groups provide more target information.

For your powder work up, you could load 5 rounds at 4.5 gr to verify slide cycling and to establish baseline accuracy then load 10 rounds at 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8 gr to see which powder charge produces greatest accuracy.

 

[fxvr5]

If you're loading 10 rounds of each load, shoot them all into one group. However many rounds you load with a given recipe, shoot them all into one group. Here's why:

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2019/9/25/accuracy-testing-shortcomings-of-the-five-shot-group/

 

[Espy42]

Thank you for the responses.

 

[Espy42]

For me with various 115 gr FMJ/RN bullets loaded to 1.130"-1.135" OAL, depending on recoil spring rate of pistols (Fullsize vs Compact), I started to get reliable slide cycling at 4.5 gr of W231/HP-38 and accuracy trends at 4.6 gr. I use 4.8 gr as 9mm reference load on par with Federal/Winchester white box because 4.8 gr load produces greater accuracy than 4.6 gr load. (But many happily use 4.6 gr, especially with plated RN bullets)


I used to test 5 rounds but now test 10 rounds at each powder increment as 10 round groups provide more target information.

For your powder work up, you could load 5 rounds at 4.5 gr to verify slide cycling and to establish baseline accuracy then load 10 rounds at 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8 gr to see which powder charge produces greatest accuracy.

Again thank you all for the responses.

I went out this afternoon to start my test loads. After resetting the seating die to 1.132 and getting consistent OAL, of the 10 dummy rounds I made 7 will case gauge and 3 will not. However, all 10 will plunk and turn freely in the barrels of the 4 guns and all 10 feed easily.

Can someone provide some guidance?

 

[fxvr5]

Again thank you all for the responses.

I went out this afternoon to start my test loads. After resetting the seating die to 1.132 and getting consistent OAL, of the 10 dummy rounds I made 7 will case gauge and 3 will not. However, all 10 will plunk and turn freely in the barrels of the 4 guns and all 10 feed easily.

Can someone provide some guidance?

Ignore the case gauge. You won't be shooting the ammo from the case gauge. All that matters is that the rounds fit your barrels.

 

[kmw1954]

When I start a new load I always start with a 10 count at the starting powder level. I do this and have no intention of looking for any real accuracy from these ten.
When I get to the range I load one, yes just one. I do that to get a first impression. Will it fire and eject. Will it lock the slide back on an auto loader. Next I will load 3 into the mag, once again to check function. Will it cycle? Eject the spent case and cycle the next and go into full battery. Finally again will it lock the slide. I repeat that 3 times and if there are no quirks, misfeeds, misfires and the slide locks I figure the load is workable and then go and load 50 and then fire and check for accuracy. At that same time I usually will load another 20-25 with a .02gr. increase and then another group .02gr higher again. That first 50 and then the next two groups of 25 with show a more accurate than the others.

As LiveLife mentions with 231/HP-38 and 115gr bullets I normally need to get to 4.5gr before I find consistent cycling. I have one an HK VP9 that won't cycle these until I get to 4.7gr

 

[rfwobbly]

• I load at least 8 and more usually 10 at each load increment. I mark them with masking tape, which after firing is transferred to the target.



• I believe it's just as important to use all the same brass, primers and bullets so that you only have the single variable.

• I also believe it's important to use a new target for each incremental load and always at the same distance. For handgun testing I use the NRA TQ-2. This small 4x6" target is easily stored for reference years later.

And good luck with the 650. I'm loving mine.

 

[Wildbillz]

I recently started to work up a 115grn FMJ load and this is what I did.

Loaded 20 rounds at a given point (Say 4.4grn of HP38). Marked up a card and put the rounds and card in a ziplock baggie. At the range I set up my chronograph and fired two 5 round strings with the Beretta 92FS and then shot two 5 round strings with a G 19. I was looking to duplicate the velocity I had gotten from some Winchester white box ammo that I did the same process with. Basically I am looking for 1100 FPSA and once I find it then I will tweak it from there to see what shoots best out of the two guns. The reason I use 5 round strings is I have a spread sheet that I am keeping and it fits best that way. The reson for two different guns is I have a couple of other 9mm pistols and it seems it it will run in those two it will run in all of them.

Just what worked for me.
WB