Rifle load developement info

[glockky]

I was wondering how you guys started out when developing a load for your rifle.

Do u pick a bullet you like and just go with it or try a variety of bullets?

Do you worry about powder charge first then OAL later?

Seems to me like if your tried to test all the variables at once your would have 100 rds of test loads.

Just wondering what you found as the most efficient way to get to that pet load for your rifle.

 

[kelbro]

That's how I usually do it. Pick a bullet for the intended target. Pick a couple of powders or two that the manuals show decent velocity. Check a couple of manuals for powder load ranges. Start about mid-way and work up in .2-.3gr increments until I find an OCW. Then I tune the OAL.

You can go through a lot of test loads on some rifles/pistols until you find 'the load'. Occasionally you get lucky and it just takes a few.

 

[JimKirk]

I pick a bullet based on what I need it to do.... be it a varmint, target, big game or other. After reviewing my reloading data, either in my books or online, I then chose a powder based on what I need the bullet to do.... I either have it in stock, put my hands on at the local gun store or I'll order it online if I have too.

Using a primed case that I've made sure fits closely my chamber .... I load my power and bullet to a length longer than the COL listed in the reloading manual.... I either smut it with a candle or mark the whole bullet with a magic marker.... I try to chamber that round ...if it does not fit(which I hope it does not) ...I'll lower the bullet seating stem in the seating die until the bolt will close ... I need to see the rifling marks engraved into the blackened bullet .... that distance, from bolt face to the start of the rifling can/should be written down, because that data can be used with any bullet that you use in that gun....that distance will always be the same unless something changes the gun...

I measure the length of the cartridge(using a Sinclair Hex nut and caliper) and move the seating stem down until I get the clearance off the rifling that I want... remarking the bullet each time so I can see what is going on in the chamber .... once I find the length that the rifling touches the bullet I can vary the length to my guns liking....

By the way that magic marker works on brass so you know what is happening in your chamber as far as case/chamber fit.... it(smut) also works good to adjust the sizing die... it shows what the die is doing to the brass...

I work up the loads by varying the charges getting close to the velocity I want.... then I find the sweet spot on the COL for best accuracy...

 

[glockky]

TTT

 

[Kerf]

glockky

I think the most critical load development aspect is first matching the bullet to the barrel. After that, it’s just time up the tube. So, typically, I’ll go to the range with a good selection of bullets and reload at the range, trying a few shots at a time to see if a group is trying to form up. If the barrel “likes” a particular brand or weight of bullet, it will generally show up rather quickly, using a moderate load. I’m also fire forming my new cases getting ready for partial neck sizing. (I cheat by using powder dippers at this stage. They’re quick and dirty and not critical to success.)

As far as selecting a particular powder goes, you generally have some idea which powder is suitable for which case capacity by it’s burn rate. You usually want to use slower powders to fill the case to certain densities. So, you only have to try 2-3 powders to cover all the bases. Using faster burning powders will work, as listed in the loading manuals, but it’s like driving your car to California in first gear. You may get there eventually, but it’s not ideal. (I’m specifically thinking of 3031 in an ’06 case vs. say, 4350 or 4831.) I know, I’ve done it, but the gas mileage sucks.

COL can be figured out as above ^^^ (nice post by the way) since each rifle barrel is a law unto itself.

Match your brass and you should be good to go.

So, I’m curious; what type of rifle are we talking here? Young or old? Bolt or semi or other? Just curiouser.

kerf

 

[Slamfire]

Also, what application are you going to use it in?

Target or hunting loads?

My accuracy criteria for hunting loads is a lot less than target rounds. In hunting situations, I cannot hold as tightly as the artificial environment of a bench or sling. Try shooting your rifle unsupported. Try offhand, kneeling, sitting. Even with a 1 MOA load you are going to have difficultly hitting a pie pan at 100 yards. Guys who only shoot off benches have a hard time appreciating this.

I am perfectly happy with a hunting load that shoots around 2 MOA.

Target load, I test till I am close to an inch at 100 yards, then I go out to across the course matches and see how it does at distance.

At distances above 300 yards you will really see the effects of poor bullets and poor reloading techniques, such as crimping your bullets. Out to 300 yards you can get away with a lot of sins.

For OAL, seat to magazine length. Chasing the throat will result in tiny improvements in groups but it is not worth the time or effort for hunting loads.

I do pick a bullet weight and ask folks about the powders they use.

 

[glockky]

I am working on loads for my winchester model 70 300WSM for hunting purposes.

And my model 700 243 more for varmit and paper punching.