Testing new loads

[fpgt72]

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.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I'm fairly new to reloading so still learning.
I make groups of 10
I do it as that's the width of the MTM and Berrys boxes that I use and it gives me a few extras if i want to double check something

The extras are plunked away!

 

[AZAndy]

I make ten of each load and head for the chronograph (with a target behind it), where I shoot them in strings of five. I'm only reloading for pistol, and am checking to make sure I'm above the minimum power factor for competition, as well as basic accuracy, so the main variable is usually just the powder charge. I've already settled on the bullets I'm using, so that's not a variable, and, like you, I don't worry about the primer making much difference. Ahhh, pistol shooting makes life easy.

 

[dgod]

I load 5 for Initial Trial, then if it shows promise, I then load 10 rounds, go thru the workout, Chrony, super tight powder trickle, tight shell seating. Then to the range. I may do this for several calibers at the same time (Mostly Rifle), Pistol is usually a single caliber at a time. Document the entire process from start to final product.

Good Luck
Dan

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

My Flavor
I'm working on a new load right now. I'm trying out BE-86 for the first time using the RMR 124 JHP. I have the same "formula" for all of my tests. I read all of the manuals, mfg. website load data and internet posts and I start at the lowest recommended charge and work up .1 grains at a time.
BE-86 minimum I wanted to start at was 5.5 so:

1) I first measure and sort brass by length and I will divide in to groups of 10 each of the same length brass .742 .743 .745 etc

2) I load 10 each of 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9 in the same length case. Depending on what I am loading for, I might load lighter to see where the load stops cycling my slide and add back accordingly.

3) After each group of 10 are completed I measure the finished loads and place them in the box by length from shortest to longest.
In this case, I am loading for 1.080 COL and I will make sure #'s 8, 9 and 10 are exactly that. (I average variations of 0.18 even when loading the same length brass)

4) I will then chrono them. I load the first 7 of the 10 in my magazine and then top off the mag with a random plinking round. I do this so I can make sure the chrono is communicating correctly with the app on my phone on that first shot. After I am done shooting I go to the app and delete that first round in all strings so I have the correct readings for the test loads. I have had trouble on occasion with the app reading the chrono and this makes sure I am not wasting a sample bullet.

5) I then go to the computer lab to spend much time with Excel and record and evaluate and decide where I am going next.

6) Based on many factors and results from step 5 I then take cartridges #8 and 9 of 10 and from 30' I shoot 2 from every load increment from a rest for accuracy at a 1" circle target. I print out an 8.5 X 11 sheet that has 5 of these 1" targets on it. I have all of my load info on a cheat sheet to reference in the field and then it's back to the lab (dining room table) for further evaluation and decide based on the chrono results and then the accuracy test

7) I take the top 2 or 3 loads and fire cartridge #10 in to 1 gallon water jugs for the final evaluation and compare expansion to my EDC SD loads.

8) For the final step I will take the top load and load 150 to 200 and test them in 2 pistols and in the case of 9mm, one rifle. If all are just as accurate, feed and shoot to my liking this becomes my new load.

9A) Load. Shoot. Smile. Repeat.

9B) If I don't like something about the load, I repeat above steps as necessary until I am happy.


Way over kill? Maybe. Could I streamline this? Sure. I really enjoy the process from beginning to end. I love running the numbers in spreadsheets- mostly to find out much to my surprise Every. Single. Time. bullets and loads will remain in a set range and variations are standard. Add to that the human factor and deviations in measurements, equipment, temperature, humidity, mood and scales, even ever so slightly will keep me busy for years trying to find the perfect load like a dog chasing its tail. But I am a happy dog!

Once I find the perfect load, something somewhere shiny catches my eye and off I go to start all over again.
Although I have great loads for AutoComp, 700X and Silhouette that I will still use I am hoping BE-86 brings me the same reliability but with increased velocity.
What's your Flavor?

 

[fpgt72]

Ok to clear one thing up....

Do you chrono the first time or do you only chrono the ones that look like they might be worth while.

 

[Bart B.]

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.

I've never worked up a load for an existing cartridge and bullet combination. Just used what others do in their rifles getting best accuracy. They all shot as accurate or precise as others did.

Only time I did any load workup was with bullet's no one had used in my cartridge. Used 20 to 30 shot test groups so statistical confidence in what they represented was well over 90%. 5-shot groups typically have a 3X to 4X group size; 3-shot ones 5X to 6X spread.

A few rules that must be met for best accuracy.

* Barrel groove diameter smaller than bullet diameter; up to .0015" is great. No more than.0001" spread from breech to muzzle.
* Straight cartridges; case, shoulder, neck and bullet axes all aligned; proper full length sized ones are best, most new cases are a close second, neck only sized one are not quite up to snuff.
* Stick/extruded powder that produces most repeatable pressure curves; typically those about 2/3 the way up the list from fast to slow shown in load data.
* Free floated barrel in a receiver that's held repeatably in the stock; epoxy bedded with or without pillars is ideal.
* Shooter that does all the right stuff (rifle holding and trigger pulling) for best marksmanship; this is the thing that has the greatest variables causing many shots to appear as fliers.

 

[horsey300]

Ok to clear one thing up....

Do you chrono the first time or do you only chrono the ones that look like they might be worth while.

I only chronograph the ones that have proven themselves, if they're accurate and I'm zeroed, I put em out for speed, if they don't do what I'd like for range limitations, I try a different powder.

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

Ok to clear one thing up....

Do you chrono the first time or do you only chrono the ones that look like they might be worth while.

For this thread and example I only use the chronograph in step 4 and in rare occasions 9B if I am still developing or retesting.
I use it at other times as well but for the basic load development that's it.

 

[muncie21]

My hand loads are mainly for USPSA, so I load 15 rounds, 10 for the chrono and 5 for targets. Regardless of how good the accuracy is, if they don't pass the chrono, I move on. Once I've determined the load required to make minimum PF, I work up test loads in 0.2gr increments (and may vary the OAL) to see which combo:

• Maintains PF
• Appears to be the most accurate
  
• Cycles well in my pistol
• Does not show indications of over-pressure

 

[bullseye308]

I'm in the process of load development myself and this is how I'm doing it. I'm loading RMR 124 JHP, RMR 115 FMJ, and RMR 124 HC Match using BE-86. I'm loading for 5 9's and once I find a good load for each one I'll bulk load for each.

I start with 30 of each charge in increments of .2gr through the range except for the top. I shoot 5 in each gun at separate targets and whichever one does the best in each gun gets noted. I'm looking for accuracy and if possible a lower recoiling round, but accuracy is the main goal.

Depending on how the first round goes I'll load up some more .1gr apart to fine tune it and play with OAL some. Once I find what I'm looking for I crank out a few k for each gun.

A few years ago I was starting to load for a 357 and nailed in on the first load. 158 LSWC from wheel weights lubed with LLA over 5.0gr BE with a modest crimp. No leading and amazingly accurate. I haven't cleaned the barrel in 4200 rounds and there is only a light grey wash in the barrel.

 

[fpgt72]

For this thread and example I only use the chronograph in step 4 and in rare occasions 9B if I am still developing or retesting.
I use it at other times as well but for the basic load development that's it.

I am lazy....

I have the good fortune to be able to walk out my back door...go a few hundred yards and shoot anything I really want to......but I am lazy....I really don't want to haul all that stuff down there.....already I don't haul a spotting scope down there half the time....I will just shoot a couple and walk up and go....eh not bad or where the F---- did they go. Or more likely crap I am old I wish I could see sights again.

 

[Blue68f100]

I am lazy....

I have the good fortune to be able to walk out my back door...go a few hundred yards and shoot anything I really want to......but I am lazy....I really don't want to haul all that stuff down there.....already I don't haul a spotting scope down there half the time....I will just shoot a couple and walk up and go....eh not bad or where the F---- did they go. Or more likely crap I am old I wish I could see sights again.

That's why they make 24x + scopes. For use old geezers who can no longer see iron sights.