Picked up a new rifle recently, 700 with a Mike Rock barrel 1 in 11 twist in 308. Gunsmith told me chamber length was 2.803. I am picking up a Forster Co-Ax this week and going to start working some loads for it. Looking at trying some Nosler Custom Competitions, SMKs and some Amax's. Advice on OAL for each, I know SMK's tolerate jump, what about the others? I'm going to start with Reloder 15 since I have it on hand and CCI LR primers and LC LR brass. I know this is probably an easy question for some, but I would like a little advice on a base to start from. Thanks in advance.
Starting point
- Thread starter mtn3531
- Start date
Re: Starting point
Its not set in stone that a given projectile always fire best from a given jump or seat into the lands...
A good example of this is the Berger VLDs... generally they shoot better when close to the lands, sometimes even touching the lands... BUT there are some out there that find they shoot excellent in their guns when jumped.
So, its a bit of a bitch because it means you generally have to do some research on what your gun likes.
As for a starting point, to be safe do the following.
1) Start with a safe starting load, perhaps the one that your reloading manual says to start off with.
2) Size, prime and charge your brass.
3) Setup some batches of ammo, with the projectiles seated at specific depths and record these bullets oal. I recomend doing this from the ogive IF you have the appropriate guage available because meplats vary in length from bullet to bullet... If you want to see if bullets just in front of the lands, or touching the lands will work for you then now is the time to test it.
4) Screw your seater die insert down a little and then press some more bullets and measure their COAL.
5) repeat the above process until you are happy
Go to the range and then shoot these loads and work out which seating depth is working for you. Its a safe and good idea to start shooting the shortest COAL first, as these generally should give you less pressure... this way if you start to notice pressure signs showing, and your not even close to shooting your long COAL loads, then perhaps you should not venture further (take them home and pull them apart and put a safe charge back in).
Once you have worked this out THEN you should play around with powder charges.
Remember, bullets seated close to or in the lands causes an increase in pressure so its safer to start with safe/low charges but always use the recomended minimum... NEVER UNDERCHARGE. Check for pressure signs at all times and be safe
Its not set in stone that a given projectile always fire best from a given jump or seat into the lands...
A good example of this is the Berger VLDs... generally they shoot better when close to the lands, sometimes even touching the lands... BUT there are some out there that find they shoot excellent in their guns when jumped.
So, its a bit of a bitch because it means you generally have to do some research on what your gun likes.
As for a starting point, to be safe do the following.
1) Start with a safe starting load, perhaps the one that your reloading manual says to start off with.
2) Size, prime and charge your brass.
3) Setup some batches of ammo, with the projectiles seated at specific depths and record these bullets oal. I recomend doing this from the ogive IF you have the appropriate guage available because meplats vary in length from bullet to bullet... If you want to see if bullets just in front of the lands, or touching the lands will work for you then now is the time to test it.
4) Screw your seater die insert down a little and then press some more bullets and measure their COAL.
5) repeat the above process until you are happy
Go to the range and then shoot these loads and work out which seating depth is working for you. Its a safe and good idea to start shooting the shortest COAL first, as these generally should give you less pressure... this way if you start to notice pressure signs showing, and your not even close to shooting your long COAL loads, then perhaps you should not venture further (take them home and pull them apart and put a safe charge back in).
Once you have worked this out THEN you should play around with powder charges.
Remember, bullets seated close to or in the lands causes an increase in pressure so its safer to start with safe/low charges but always use the recomended minimum... NEVER UNDERCHARGE. Check for pressure signs at all times and be safe
Re: Starting point
First, why don't you try something that will feed in the magazine box? I do singleshot feeding a lot when I'm playing at the range. But I also have mag length loads worked up for my rifles. When I'm not playing on paper, sometimes I like a quick follow up shot or shots.
First, why don't you try something that will feed in the magazine box? I do singleshot feeding a lot when I'm playing at the range. But I also have mag length loads worked up for my rifles. When I'm not playing on paper, sometimes I like a quick follow up shot or shots.
Re: Starting point
Supa your sig line is right on...I've been in an arty unit for seems like forever and that is spot on. Just seems like I've read to start with the low pressure and jump and some people recommend starting jammed and watch for pressure signs then work back down. 6 of one half dozen of the other I suppose
Supa your sig line is right on...I've been in an arty unit for seems like forever and that is spot on. Just seems like I've read to start with the low pressure and jump and some people recommend starting jammed and watch for pressure signs then work back down. 6 of one half dozen of the other I suppose
Re: Starting point
Here's my method... take it for what it's worth..
Start with a moderate load...loaded at MAX mag length.
Work up in .5gr increments until you hit MAX in YOUR rifle (being careful to observe pressure signs, etc.)
Once you've found MAX in YOUR rifle... back off .5gr and start working BACKWARDS in .3gr increments until you find the accuracy node. This way you will have killed two birds with one stone... You've found your accuracy node & maxed your velocity at the same time...
dig?
Here's my method... take it for what it's worth..
Start with a moderate load...loaded at MAX mag length.
Work up in .5gr increments until you hit MAX in YOUR rifle (being careful to observe pressure signs, etc.)
Once you've found MAX in YOUR rifle... back off .5gr and start working BACKWARDS in .3gr increments until you find the accuracy node. This way you will have killed two birds with one stone... You've found your accuracy node & maxed your velocity at the same time...
dig?
Re: Starting point
I'm diggin..lol. Nothin better than killing two birds with one stone, unless it's two jihadis..lol
I'm diggin..lol. Nothin better than killing two birds with one stone, unless it's two jihadis..lol
