Load development process

[Charlie98]

Pick a bullet, pick a powder, pick a charge in the middle of the data from your favorite book data, load it, shoot it, it does ok, you're done.

That's pretty much my method.

I will say, my primary qualifier is 'expectation of accuracy.' I have in my mind an accuracy goal for each firearm I have, and the ammos I handload for it. For example, I do not expect the accuracy of 55grn FMJ bullets to be equal to a 69grn SMK... that's just silly. Garbage in, garbage out, even if it's generic 5.56mm blasting ammos, for example. However, I have hit a point where my 'expectations of accuracy' were NOT met, the most prominent example would be in a Marlin .30-30 I was working loads up for at one point. A diehard Speer bullet guy, the 170grn JSP's were not giving me acceptable accuracy, even with a scope mounted on the rifle (for load testing purposes.) I changed the bullet... to the 170grn Winchester SilverTip, all else being equal... sucked those groups up by half! Just a bullet change. I have other examples of just changing a bullet will significantly change accuracy, but there are other factors as well... and most of those are fairly advanced.

 

[Charlie98]

6.5 creedmoor, overkill for varmints but it will work for now

Then you are in luck... the 6.5CM is an easy cartridge to load for. Find the bullet you want, grab a can of H4350, pull up some load data, and go to work. If you don't get reasonable accuracy within 1grn either way of your goal, change the bullet.

 

[TSchwab25]

You need to declare the caliber and bullets you’re currently using and the bullet you want to switch to before anyone can help beyond generic input.

6.5 creedmoor, was using 127gr Barnes lrx for deer, but I have some 135 gr a-tips from Hornady and might as well use them up until deer season starts.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

6.5 creedmoor, overkill for varmints but it will work for now

That puts it out of my area of expertise.

 

[barnfrog]

You need to declare the caliber and bullets you’re currently using and the bullet you want to switch to before anyone can help beyond generic input.

Not to be argumentative (even though that does seem to be one of my strong suits) but isn't generic input what he requested? He didn't ask for pet loads or best bullet weight, he asked for a good process. Wouldn't the process (not the components) be the same for a .22-250 as it would for a .308 or a 6.5 CM?

 

[JFrank]

6.5 creedmoor, was using 127gr Barnes lrx for deer, but I have some 135 gr a-tips from Hornady and might as well use them up until deer season starts.

Hornday at one time listed their recipe on the box, anyway I’ve used a two shot per charge increment at one point of aim with no chronograph just reading the target and choosing to load the middle of a cluster displaying the same vertical location.

 

[JFrank]

Not to be argumentative (even though that does seem to be one of my strong suits) but isn't generic input what he requested? He didn't ask for pet loads or best bullet weight, he asked for a good process. Wouldn't the process (not the components) be the same for a .22-250 as it would for a .308 or a 6.5 CM?

No problem, how’s the above post for a simple process ?

 

[Hugger-4641]

6.5 creedmoor, overkill for varmints but it will work for now

Ok, then you might not like what I'm about to say. I like the 95gr Vmax for varmints, but honestly, sub moa groups for me in 6.5cm are usually from 130 to 150 gr bullets. You might give the 100gr A max a try, but if that don't work I'd think about trying the 130 Sierra Game Changer , 136scenar, a 139bthp, or the 140 Eldm.

 

[TSchwab25]

Hornday at one time listed their recipe on the box, anyway I’ve used a two shot per charge increment at one point of aim with no chronograph just reading the target and choosing to load the middle of a cluster displaying the same vertical location.

You choose it based on just vertical spread? Or spread in any direction?

 

[Bcwitt]

I guess for hunting the priorities are something like bullet terminals, chambers easily, & a firm crimp. Always full length hunting ammo. A good hunting round chambers easily. Make sure to use standard length & make sure you can still eject loaded rounds.

 

[JFrank]

You choose it based on just vertical spread? Or spread in any direction?

Vertical, in that example 30.6-30.8 share the same point of impact, pretty safe to load 30.7 and have my rounds hit what I’m aiming at on most any day.

 

[JFrank]

here’s one I did today, now that this barrel has sped up I’m comfortable at 30.5 .. the red + has three conformation rounds loaded at the range.
The overlap at 30.9 will also shoot. Basically all we are doing here is taking out the complexity of volocity flat spots and ES /SD ten shot groups looking for the smallest and just reading the target for impact location. We can influence size and shape through additional methods like seating ,neck tension, primer selection etc.

 

[barnfrog]

No problem, how’s the above post for a simple process ?