I have always done load development after shooting about 20 rounds through a new barrel with a base low pressure load. I was recently told by a guy that he shots a low pressure "base" load until the barrel speeds up and then does load development. Does it matter when you do it? I have never had any issues doing it on a new barrel and running with it, but I am wondering about others results.
Load Development on a New Barrel
- Thread starter Shanerbanner10
- Start date
I usually try to put 50-75 rounds through a barrel before I get serious with load development. Sometimes though the barrel is ready to go right away and my first 50-75 rounds are load development rounds, other times I'll have a barrel that has erratic velocities / SD's until it breaks in and then I'll usually end up doing two sets of load development.
I guess it all just depends on your barrel.
I guess it all just depends on your barrel.
I like to get a good 25-50 rounds down it before I start load development so it's good and fouled up.
Ditto.
Been also shooting a mild load from the start so that a new batch of brass can 'form' to that chamber, without over-stressing them on the very first firing. And as stated above, once a batch (50-200pcs.) of brass is 1x fired, the barrel's velocity performance is likely stabilized, brass can be trimmed to uniform length (if needed), minimally FL re-sized, and load development can commence in earnest...
Been also shooting a mild load from the start so that a new batch of brass can 'form' to that chamber, without over-stressing them on the very first firing. And as stated above, once a batch (50-200pcs.) of brass is 1x fired, the barrel's velocity performance is likely stabilized, brass can be trimmed to uniform length (if needed), minimally FL re-sized, and load development can commence in earnest...
I load develop right off the bat. Tuning the load would be more for the harmonics of the barrel then just getting a barrel seasoned. If that was true, we would have to load develop whenever we clean the rifle.
Thanks guys. I've always just done it from the beginning and never had an issue, but was curious.
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I do load development on a fresh barrel
by the time I get to final tuning I'm around 90-120
rounds deep so it should be good to go.
by the time I get to final tuning I'm around 90-120
rounds deep so it should be good to go.
im pretty much to the point that i wouldnt waste time until you have damn near 30 to 50 rounds down the tube till you start load development...
