When working up a load, how many rounds...

[ZLBubba]

When working up a new load, how many rounds do you have at each stage of the work up process?

Let's say I want to load 100 rounds for this weekend. These will be all new loads for my rifle so I'm starting from scratch, and using the 6mmBR site as a basic guide for 308 WIN. I've got 155gr Lapua Scenars, Varget, Lap brass, Fed 210M primers. The load data says that 45.2gr is the way to go, so I'll drop that by 10% start working my way up.

Here's my question: should I be testing accuracy the whole time? Or since I'm trying to make this load fairly hot for longer range shooting, should I just load a small number of test rounds to ensure I can get up to 45.2gr safely, and then do the accuracy testing?

The other option is that I load 50 rounds with Varget, and another 50 with R-15 and work up to max loads, ensuring that next time I go shooting I can work more precisely with whatever load shot more accurately on the last outing. Any tips on how to efficiently work up these new rounds would be appreciated.

 

[Triman2008]

Re: When working up a load, how many rounds...

I would load 5 rounds at each stage. Moving up by .2 grains each time. Note what the primers look like, and if you have any damaged cases. Be sure and document your loads as you shoot them, to decrease the chances or repeat loads in the future.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: When working up a load, how many rounds...

ZL what i do when trying to find a new load is this. I load up 50 or 60 rds. Going up in .5 grns. Then i shoot those loads, 5 at 100 and 5 at 300. I take whichever one gives me the best accuracy and load up 25 more. Then i come out with 5 rds, .2 over and under each of the 25 rd charge weight. This is when i chrono my loads, if the load that shot the best at 100 and 300 gives me the speed i want Im golden.

 

[Unknown]

Re: When working up a load, how many rounds...

I want both accuracy and velocity. So I try to run all the loads over a chrono. That way, even if a load shoots great, it won't be useful if the velocity is way over what is a max load, or if it is way under the velocity that I'm looking for.

It helps me eliminate alot of loads that accuracy alone would have me considering.

 

[biodegraded]

Re: When working up a load, how many rounds...

You might want to read this post on using ladders.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: When working up a load, how many rounds...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I want both accuracy and velocity. </div></div>

Load up ONE case in 0.5% increments from the middle of the CW range to Max. Shoot and examine for pressure signs. When you find the first pressure sign, stop.

Drop back 1.5 gr (3%) and now make 5 cargtiges in each step sweeping upwards in 0.2 gr increments back to just below where you saw pressure. Shoot these for groups. Pick the CW from best group.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: When working up a load, how many rounds...

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'm going to do some load work tonight and shoot on Saturday. Me thinks I need to get a chrono at some point.

Deadly, pm sent