Advice on developing a load?
- Thread starter Invstr21
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Re: Advice on developing a load?
Bipod. Unless you always shoot from a lead sled. Recreating and repeating as close as possible the same external connection to the rifle is fundamental in load development, as well as practice, in my opinion.
Bipod. Unless you always shoot from a lead sled. Recreating and repeating as close as possible the same external connection to the rifle is fundamental in load development, as well as practice, in my opinion.
Re: Advice on developing a load?
Train like you fight ... or ... shoot like you'll hunt.
Emulating the conditions you'll actually use the load in can't be a bad idea.
I rarely use a sandbag & bench ... mostly because I'll never use them in the field. Of course, I may not use a bipod on a hunt either, but if time permits I'll certainly give it a shot.
I always use a bipod in load developmement ... and I'm 2 for 2 on developing sub-MOA loads.
Good luck to you.
Train like you fight ... or ... shoot like you'll hunt.
Emulating the conditions you'll actually use the load in can't be a bad idea.
I rarely use a sandbag & bench ... mostly because I'll never use them in the field. Of course, I may not use a bipod on a hunt either, but if time permits I'll certainly give it a shot.
I always use a bipod in load developmement ... and I'm 2 for 2 on developing sub-MOA loads.
Good luck to you.
Re: Advice on developing a load?
I use the sled to develop loads so I know what type of groups to expect without any shooter error. I'm new to long range/precision shooting so technique is still a work in progress. I then shoot in positions in which I expect to use the load and measure the differences in group size. That provides me a way to judge my shooting.
I use the sled to develop loads so I know what type of groups to expect without any shooter error. I'm new to long range/precision shooting so technique is still a work in progress. I then shoot in positions in which I expect to use the load and measure the differences in group size. That provides me a way to judge my shooting.
Re: Advice on developing a load?
I say use your sled to nail down your best load and then off it once you have your mother load.... Besides it should only take About 20 shots tops to figure out the best load combo using the ladder technique.
I say use your sled to nail down your best load and then off it once you have your mother load.... Besides it should only take About 20 shots tops to figure out the best load combo using the ladder technique.
Re: Advice on developing a load?
I develop off a bench/bipod and bags, ladders and OCW,
Then move to prone to zero etc.
As said above, that way I know any group size error is my prone
Technique and not the load!
I develop off a bench/bipod and bags, ladders and OCW,
Then move to prone to zero etc.
As said above, that way I know any group size error is my prone
Technique and not the load!
Re: Advice on developing a load?
Interesting question.
I vote for the sled, purely because it should help you to remove shooter error. I wouldnt let it just free recoil completely, I would still use my palm/hand to hold the rifle and still use the proper trigger squeeze technique.
I believe it would help.
Unless you have solid shooting skills, and experience to back it you may just end up wasting range trips, ammo, even compromise potentially good results.
Keep in mind not everyone has this option, I just think its a bonus for those starting out development and learning as they go.
Interesting question.
I vote for the sled, purely because it should help you to remove shooter error. I wouldnt let it just free recoil completely, I would still use my palm/hand to hold the rifle and still use the proper trigger squeeze technique.
I believe it would help.
Unless you have solid shooting skills, and experience to back it you may just end up wasting range trips, ammo, even compromise potentially good results.
Keep in mind not everyone has this option, I just think its a bonus for those starting out development and learning as they go.
Re: Advice on developing a load?
I would recommend a good bipod and solid rear bag in the prone position. You have to shoot each shot the same way. That's why when I test a load, I try not to come of the gun at all for 4-5 rounds. If you are not conident in this, then try the lead sled. But still get on the rifle nice and snug and do each shot the same way. The sled will change up your POI from prone or sitting.
I would recommend a good bipod and solid rear bag in the prone position. You have to shoot each shot the same way. That's why when I test a load, I try not to come of the gun at all for 4-5 rounds. If you are not conident in this, then try the lead sled. But still get on the rifle nice and snug and do each shot the same way. The sled will change up your POI from prone or sitting.
Re: Advice on developing a load?
There is an argument to using the most accurate gun rest to test your loads. But the counter arguement is to train the way you will compete. I started out using a rest, but transitioned to a bipod. Try both, see how much your groups vary.
Primary concept of reloading. Only change and test ONE variable at a time.
There is an argument to using the most accurate gun rest to test your loads. But the counter arguement is to train the way you will compete. I started out using a rest, but transitioned to a bipod. Try both, see how much your groups vary.
Primary concept of reloading. Only change and test ONE variable at a time.
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