Hello,
I'm about to start load development for the first time with my 6.5 CM precision rifle. I've got enough components to load 1,000 rds of the following:
I was planning on starting at 39.7 grs and work up in 0.2 gr increments to the max charge of 41.5 gr. To get more data, I was planning on loading 5 shots per charge weight for a total of 50 rounds. Its seems very popular to go way over this max charge weight but I'm going to play it safe. With 5 shot groups I can get a good look at group size and SD for each charge weight.
The starting overall length has been confusing me. Some people seem to chase the lands, others do not. I was thinking of going off the Hornady manual and load to a COAL of 2.800". Then after I find a charge weight that groups well with a low SD, I can fiddle around with the seating depth until I find something I am happy with. There's an overwhelming amount of information out there and I'm just looking to see if this method seems sane. I was originally going to do the 10 shot velocity ladder, but I don't feel like that gives me enough data.
I've got all of the components but I still have yet to buy a press and dies. Since anything from Forster is impossible to find, I was thinking a good 'ol RCBS Rock Chucker with Hornady match bushing dies. It also seems worth it to me to do a Lock'n Load conversion right off the bat.
I'm about to start load development for the first time with my 6.5 CM precision rifle. I've got enough components to load 1,000 rds of the following:
- Once fired Hornady Brass (leftover from factory ELD match)
- 140 ELD-M Bullets
- H4350
- Federal 210M
I was planning on starting at 39.7 grs and work up in 0.2 gr increments to the max charge of 41.5 gr. To get more data, I was planning on loading 5 shots per charge weight for a total of 50 rounds. Its seems very popular to go way over this max charge weight but I'm going to play it safe. With 5 shot groups I can get a good look at group size and SD for each charge weight.
The starting overall length has been confusing me. Some people seem to chase the lands, others do not. I was thinking of going off the Hornady manual and load to a COAL of 2.800". Then after I find a charge weight that groups well with a low SD, I can fiddle around with the seating depth until I find something I am happy with. There's an overwhelming amount of information out there and I'm just looking to see if this method seems sane. I was originally going to do the 10 shot velocity ladder, but I don't feel like that gives me enough data.
I've got all of the components but I still have yet to buy a press and dies. Since anything from Forster is impossible to find, I was thinking a good 'ol RCBS Rock Chucker with Hornady match bushing dies. It also seems worth it to me to do a Lock'n Load conversion right off the bat.