New Load Development
- Thread starter Rlandry
- Start date
I am by far no reloading expert, but with help from everyone here I start at .020 off my lands and run a 10 shot velocity ladder. When I find a good node I'll adjust seating depth at 300 yards to dial the group in.
If your using the more common Tangent ogive profile of bullets start with a known sweet spot for them and find your velocity node most run somewere between .020-.040" for a start point but they can be just as accurate with a long jump.
With the Secant ogive profile I usually start with them touching or .005-.010" into the lands but they can be very accurate jumped but not as common as the other profile.
With the Secant ogive profile I usually start with them touching or .005-.010" into the lands but they can be very accurate jumped but not as common as the other profile.
This is a good method assuming you can seat near the lands and also assuming you don’t want to seat the tangent ogive bullet to the lands.
If you are looking at getting maximum velocity then some will jam the bullet and very load looking for pressure signs to set the “Max” load, then back off the lands looking for and look for an OCW then work with seating depth.
If you are not familiar with the OCW method, do a search on Dan Newberry and OCW. You can also come visit some of us at
Practical Riflery and OCW Forums
general discussion of Optimal Charge Weight handloading and related topics
www.tapatalk.com
If you haven’t been there, the Berger Bullets Blog also has some good info on seating as well as advice on jumping VLD style bullets.
This is a good method assuming you can seat near the lands and also assuming you don’t want to seat the tangent ogive bullet to the lands.
If you are looking at getting maximum velocity then some will jam the bullet and very load looking for pressure signs to set the “Max” load, then back off the lands looking for and look for an OCW then work with seating depth.
If you are not familiar with the OCW method, do a search on Dan Newberry and OCW. You can also come visit some of us at
Practical Riflery and OCW Forums
general discussion of Optimal Charge Weight handloading and related topics
If you haven’t been there, the Berger Bullets Blog also has some good info on seating as well as advice on jumping VLD style bullets.
I'm familiar with the two methods I just haven't ever jammed anything into the lands intentionally other than the vld bullets.
I've allways had good results with my method or I'm really lucky, either way if it ain't broke you know the rest.
Getting ready to start loading the 130vld in a 6.5x47 after the barrel is broke in but I hear that is a pretty easy going combo so I hope there's not much fiddling around.
I wasn't implying that you have to. I haven't in 308 because the leade on that rifle prevents it. I haven't in my 223 Bolt gun because I haven't found the need. I also tend to load at least one node below max in 308. My rifle seems to prefer that.
I guess it really doesn't matter as long as you very on one variable at a time.
In 223, with some bullets I have been all over the place on seating depth. I usually load to whatever the load Manual I am using recommends to determine my OCW then play with seating depth. But again, I load below max. I started reloading with H335 in 223 but found that a safe load at 70F is not necessarily a safe load at 95F. Since then I stay with the more temp stable powders like 4064 and 8208 XBR since I often shoot in sub 30F weather and 95F+ weather.
