I searched and found nothing covering that particular subject. I reload since a few days after I began shooting, about 22 years ago. I shot F-class competitively in the past and never put that much effort in load developpement. In cartridges consistency and quality, I put a lot though. These days I tend to almost do no load developpement at all. Maybe a speed ladder, just to have the impresion of doing something. Am I lazy? Am I alone? Caliber specific? I'd like to hear your thoughts on that.
Not at all, little or complicated load developpement
- Thread starter Nafta
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Nah, takes about twenty for me decide MV. Another twenty for groups based on seating depth. That is on a new barrel and that will be it. After that, I'll true the rifle to adjust BC or MV for the life of the barrel. I've also just seat to the land, find first signs of max, and back off .5 grains. So, not so much anal load development.
I used to have a big process for load development, but its been paired down a lot. Now I just find a few velocity flat spots, then load a few groups of each flat spot. Shoot on paper at 100, if I'm still torn I'll shoot on paper at 300. Cant narrow it down I'll shoot on steel out to 1200. but I've normally settled way before that.
I'll do about 5 groups of 3 for my OCW test on a cartridge I know well, find an area that shoots best and load. I run OAL as long as I can, while still feeding from my mag.
I try to keep it as simple as possible. If that's lazy, that's cool. But if it works, it works
I try to keep it as simple as possible. If that's lazy, that's cool. But if it works, it works
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Looks like I'm not the only one who likes to keep it simple. Interesting to see there's many ways to do it, even in the simplest forms!
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
I run .3 or .5 grain charge increments, 2 groups of 5 per charge, 5 charges total. That is 50 rounds. That gives me a chrono of ten rounds per charge and I get two 5 shot group size references. I do that at max mag length. The second highest charge is book max and highest is over book.
Then, sometimes, I do it with 10-15 thou more jump which is another 50 rounds. That tells me what I need to know. At most, I might take the top 2 or 3 loads and compare them again in the same way if they are all close or I had a bad single 5 shot group. After that, if I have load, I shoot it till it wont shoot.
I have pretty much settled on CCI BR Small rifle primers and Fed Match Large rifle primers so I dont tune for primers. If I change powder or bullet I do the 50 round test again.
New powders and/or bullets are a new load. If I have great results with max mag length, I may not do the 10-15 thou extra jump test...that is ususually when I want to use a particular bullet/powder combo and want to see if I can tweak it because mag length left me wanting more.
Then, sometimes, I do it with 10-15 thou more jump which is another 50 rounds. That tells me what I need to know. At most, I might take the top 2 or 3 loads and compare them again in the same way if they are all close or I had a bad single 5 shot group. After that, if I have load, I shoot it till it wont shoot.
I have pretty much settled on CCI BR Small rifle primers and Fed Match Large rifle primers so I dont tune for primers. If I change powder or bullet I do the 50 round test again.
New powders and/or bullets are a new load. If I have great results with max mag length, I may not do the 10-15 thou extra jump test...that is ususually when I want to use a particular bullet/powder combo and want to see if I can tweak it because mag length left me wanting more.
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