Reading another thread made this question pop in my mind....
How many of a specific "flavor" do you make up to test.....by flavor I am talking about your loading X powder and Y weight with A bullet and B primer.
How many do you do before you decide this might be worth doing more testing....then what is the next step for you...
This is the fun part for me....
I will usually load up 5 for the first round of testing. In 5 I can decide if it is worth going down this road further or not.
For example I am working on loading for Carcano right now....this is pretty easy one as there is really only one flavor of bullet to use that is the correct size....so trying different boolets is really not going to factor in.
I will start with just how long should the cartridge be....I will make a test cartridge stick it in the gun close bolt measure....I generally do this several times....at least 10...but depending on my mood really I might do more. Reloading relaxes me, so if it has been a crappy day at work I might just stick that cartridge in there a bunch of times just making notes in my little book.....I generally back it off a half then move on.
Powder I will usually start with....try pretty min loads and work my way up.....making notes to see just what does what. If something looks like it might work, I will work up say 20 of them and see how they do.
Then I might start all over with another powder....been doing this not as long as most of you have....I guess about 10 years or so....if I am happy with the results that might be it....if not I will try different powders, then finally a primer. To tell the truth I have NEVER EVER seen any difference in primers...perhaps because I mainly old for rifles that are at least 50 years old....and that old dog is only going to do so well.....I just got a brand spanking new CZ527 in 223 and have made up several batches for that....so we will see just what is what.
Anyhoo....sorry for the long rant, but just wanted to see what you guys test practice is.
How many of a specific "flavor" do you make up to test.....by flavor I am talking about your loading X powder and Y weight with A bullet and B primer.
How many do you do before you decide this might be worth doing more testing....then what is the next step for you...
This is the fun part for me....
I will usually load up 5 for the first round of testing. In 5 I can decide if it is worth going down this road further or not.
For example I am working on loading for Carcano right now....this is pretty easy one as there is really only one flavor of bullet to use that is the correct size....so trying different boolets is really not going to factor in.
I will start with just how long should the cartridge be....I will make a test cartridge stick it in the gun close bolt measure....I generally do this several times....at least 10...but depending on my mood really I might do more. Reloading relaxes me, so if it has been a crappy day at work I might just stick that cartridge in there a bunch of times just making notes in my little book.....I generally back it off a half then move on.
Powder I will usually start with....try pretty min loads and work my way up.....making notes to see just what does what. If something looks like it might work, I will work up say 20 of them and see how they do.
Then I might start all over with another powder....been doing this not as long as most of you have....I guess about 10 years or so....if I am happy with the results that might be it....if not I will try different powders, then finally a primer. To tell the truth I have NEVER EVER seen any difference in primers...perhaps because I mainly old for rifles that are at least 50 years old....and that old dog is only going to do so well.....I just got a brand spanking new CZ527 in 223 and have made up several batches for that....so we will see just what is what.
Anyhoo....sorry for the long rant, but just wanted to see what you guys test practice is.