Load Development

[hunter399]

I just have one question for all you expert reloader.
If all you are starting .30 or .20 off the lands .How don't you know that lets say .50 off the lands is not the sweet spot for groups or accuracy.With every chamber being not exactly the same.

[BULLBLASTER]

You test it with a seating depth test. You can only start at one seating depth. 

[Crunchy]

Ive been shooting berger Vlds and they like to be close to the lands.  If that doesnt work, move them deep into the case. 

[BigGoonTuna]

I just have one question for all you expert reloader.
If all you are starting .30 or .20 off the lands .How don't you know that lets say .50 off the lands is not the sweet spot for groups or accuracy.With every chamber being not exactly the same.

you don't.  however, i like to start around .020 off and work up to whatever max load i'm comfortable with.  this is for two reasons: firstly it's a safety measure, if you're at your max near the lands and go deeper, you theoretically lose pressure.  if you work up a hot load .020 off and decide to try jamming a bullet into the rifling, you could create a dangerous pressure spike. 
the other reason is easier load workup.  i don't have to worry about making a decision to go shallower or deeper, if i'm at my max OAL, it simplifies the process, i'll usually seat deeper in .020 steps to tune for accuracy.

[Thehowler]

I just have one question for all you expert reloader.
If all you are starting .30 or .20 off the lands .How don't you know that lets say .50 off the lands is not the sweet spot for groups or accuracy.With every chamber being not exactly the same.

I am by far no export, but my rifle seems to shoot Accubonds and Nosler partitions the most accurately at .080 off the lands.

[jasnt]

I just have one question for all you expert reloader.
If all you are starting .30 or .20 off the lands .How don't you know that lets say .50 off the lands is not the sweet spot for groups or accuracy.With every chamber being not exactly the same.

exactly why I do seating depth testing first then fine tune after finding ocw

[Stein]

I just ordered the Magnetospeed Sporter, picked it up from Optics Planet for $175 all in with a coupon.

[wooltie]

I'm going to work up loads once I finish bedding my rifle this weekend.

The approach I'm using this year assumes that a given bullet will perform best at a specific seating depth, using a proven powder, regardless of the charge weight.  I'm assuming that the charge weight will affect the up/down mostly.  In the past I figured out charge weight first, then moved onto seating depth, with mixed results.  I'm not going for max velocity, just consistent velocity and accuracy.  I'd probably just find the fasted velocity the bullet will go while maintaining consistent accuracy.

I've picked a few bullets and plan to do seating tests first, with powders I've shot before at mid-range charge weights.  I'm not using bergers.

Shoot three shots at .020, .050, .080 from lands.

I'm looking for the least amount of dispersion overall between l/r and up/down, but mostly focusing on the left to right spread.  Pick the seating depth that performed the best and fine tune from there.  Once I can minimize the right/left, and even up/down, then I'll adjust the charge weights.

I've used the chrono only in the past to find the flat spots, then load from there, but I saw that consistent velocity and low spread did not mean an accurate load.  Quite the opposite actually.

[buckfvr]

I start at 10k off the lands provided the magazine will allow that.  You will find some instances where max mag length prevents you from getting as close to the lands as you may desire.  I have tested from 10 to 120k off the lands and have found Bergers and Sierra TMKs to do just fine at 10, even 8k, so I dont move closer because of magazine limitations.  6mm, 6.5mm, and 7mm have all done well for me at these set backs.

[timberfaller]

Interesting read!

Just my way of doing it,  I first get all my reloading books out and look up the particular caliber I am working on.  Then take and average out the "Max" loads listed based on bullet weight and same powder I intend to use.   Once I have that, I back off a few grains and make up around five rounds each increasing in .5 grains for the next five rounds until I hit the average Max.   Keeping them all separate so at the range I know which I am shooting.  I know of a couple of firearms which went over "max" loads before they started to group and before any "pressure" signs started to show.  Once I establish a tight group, usually under one inch, that where I stop.   I let the firearm tell me what it likes and doesn't like.

If I don't get good results, I try a different powder or bullet.   Haven't had to do that very often though.   Usually come up with an acceptable group with the choices I've made.  Never checked with a chronograph, groupings are more important to me then knowing the speed.   Its not the speed that harvest and animal, its bullet placement and being able to place that bullet where it is needed.

I do set all my bullets as close to the lands as possible since I don't share my reloads with others.   Black markers works great for finding out the OAL.   And of course I record all my data!!!! once I am finished.

Some interesting things I've found with some of my firearms.   Some like a particular powder and other like a certain style of bullet.  Have one that loves round nose bullets no matter what, another that hates anything 120 grained.   Its fun to experiment but it takes time.

Good luck!

[yorketransport]

Here's my step by step process for finding the perfect load:

1) Find one of my old log books lost somewhere in the complete chaos that I call a loading bench.
2) Flip through until I find the last load I used in that chambering, or something close to it.
3) Ignore all past data that I've collected and decide that I can just make something up.
4) Sit back and decide whether to use Fed 215 primers, Fed 215m primers, or CCI 450s (those are pretty much the only things I keep around.
5) Stare at my powder shelf for an hour trying to figure out if there's any way I can make IMR 4198 work in what ever case I'm loading for. I haven't used that stuff in years, but I swear it's multiplying like rabbits.
6) When IMR 4198 won't work, reach for the Retumbo.
7) Fill the case with Retumbo until I start to feel a little nervous, then reduce that charge by 5%. If there's still room in the case after that, it's time to dig out the H50 bmg.
8 ) Seat a bullet to whatever OAL I end up with based on the last time I used those dies. If that OAL worked before, it should work again right?
9) Realize that my OAL was too long then re-seat all the bullets .050" deeper.
10) Repeat step 9 at least 5 times before I get it right.

For testing my new load:
1) Find the biggest dirt bank I can at anywhere between 500 and 1200 yards.
2) Spin the turret one full revolution for case that hold 60gr or less of powder and 1/2 revolution for cases holding up to 100gr of powder. If the case capacity is over 100gr, just hold a little high.
3) Send one shot into the center of the dirt bank and see where I hit.
4) Make the necessary adjustments to hit somewhere on the dirt bank.
5) Fire a 5 shot group and track the "scatter plot" of a group.
6) If the group is under 1 MOA, pack it all up and declare victory. If it's over 1 MOA, lie about the entire trip and tell everyone on the internet that it shot .5 MOA.
7) After my initial failure, I return home and repeat steps 1-10 for finding a load.
8 ) Repeat steps 1-7 for testing the load at least 3 more times.
9) When step 8 is completed, list the gun for sale on Long Range Hunting and state that I didn't really have time to work up a load, but it shows a lot of potential.
10) Never speak of it again.

That's just me though.

[jasnt]

“When step 8 is completed, list the gun for sale on Long Range Hunting and state that I didn't really have time to work up a load, but it shows a lot of potential.........round count 400”

[BULLBLASTER]

Today was a load development failure...

I seem to have miscalculated my starting load. 

[jasnt]

Ouch

[BULLBLASTER]

Surprisingly that piece of brass seats a new primer like new.