What should be my next step?

[azhank]

New to reloading here. In fact, I just processed my first batch of brass this weekend! Took a bit more time than I thought, but it was relaxing at the same time. So now I am going to start the process of making the perfect round. I am stuck on which step to take next.

Should I hold the powder constant(safe zone of course) and work the seating depth to find a distance that "the rifle likes"?

-or-

Should I pick a generic seating depth and work the ladder test to find the best powder range?

Which one should I focus on first? Or should I just get out there and fire form the brass?

 

[jkonzal]

Re: What should be my next step?

Have you developed your load and zeroed the rifle? This will also fire-form your brass, then you just have to neck size the next time.

 

[azhank]

Re: What should be my next step?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Flintlock Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you developed your load and zeroed the rifle? This will also fire-form your brass, then you just have to neck size the next time. </div></div>

No, I purchased new brass.

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: What should be my next step?

Do the OCW test. See http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/.

 

[azhank]

Re: What should be my next step?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gene Poole</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do the OCW test. See http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/. </div></div>

Ill give this a shot next week. .020" off the lands. Dan Newberry doesnt seem to care about the distance to or from the lands.I find it odd that some people have their own techniques and others do something completely different and net similar results.


...still so much to learn.

 

[jkonzal]

Re: What should be my next step?

You should look at the Hornady O.A.L. gauge. It's a very handy tool, and easy to use. It will let you set your bullets to any amount off the lands that you want. Also, get a bullet comparator. You CANNOT get accurate readings by measuring to the tip of the bullet. You really have to measure to the ogive to get good, consistent readings.

 

[azhank]

Re: What should be my next step?

check and check. I might have spent more on tools and measuring devices than the actual reloading press/dies/etc. I feel that I have already dove too deep into this, but still only scratching the surface. I cant wait to get out to the range and move forward. Now if there is only a way for me to get rid of my wife and job so I can dedicate more time to this

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: What should be my next step?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azhank</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gene Poole</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do the OCW test. See http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/. </div></div>

Ill give this a shot next week. .020" off the lands. Dan Newberry doesnt seem to care about the distance to or from the lands.I find it odd that some people have their own techniques and others do something completely different and net similar results.


...still so much to learn. </div></div>

I don't think that's quite it. From my understanding, you seat your loads to factory specs, then after you find the optimal charge with OCW, you fine-tune it for tightest groups with case seating depth. The "node" is a point where barrel harmonics are such that the end of the barrel has settled back to a stable position just as the bullet exits. You then fine-tune the exit point by changing the seating depth of the bullet. If it's seated deeper, it lags a little coming out of the barrel; seated further out and it leaves sooner.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: What should be my next step?

Find the charge weight before running bullet depth seating experiments.

 

[jkonzal]

Re: What should be my next step?

Yeah, and good luck with the "wife and job" thing!!!!!! ;o)

 

[goldeneagle76]

Re: What should be my next step?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Flintlock Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, and good luck with the "wife and job" thing!!!!!! ;o) </div></div>

Good luck indeed...I have a realoading room I have not visited in quite a while since I have 3 kids under 6!!! Try to sneak down there during nap time on the weekend but usually does not workout.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: What should be my next step?

Seat the bullets long, find the powder charge, then work the oal.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: What should be my next step?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seat the bullets long, find the powder charge, then work the oal. </div></div>

No, no, no, NO....not unless you are running a single shot rig.

Seat for good function in the mag box, find the charge that gives you a good node, then fine tune with SMALL +/- shifts in seating depth, IF needed.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: What should be my next step?

Or just run everything SAAMI spec and not worry about it. But where's the fun in that?

 

[steve123]

Re: What should be my next step?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azhank</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gene Poole</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do the OCW test. See http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/. </div></div>

Ill give this a shot next week. .020" off the lands. Dan Newberry doesnt seem to care about the distance to or from the lands.I find it odd that some people have their own techniques and others do something completely different and net similar results.


...still so much to learn. </div></div>

If possible I like starting .005 off the lands. On some rifles the throat is so long you cannot reach without single feeding in which case start .040 from max mag length because the bullets vary sometimes .020 in length.