I read a fair few posts on here singing the praises of GS Custom monolithics so I decided to give them a crack. Hopefully some useful info below as it took a bit of digging initially and I’d put off trying them for a while as it all seemed a bit hard! Trust me, it’s not
Firstly, the GS Custom website is a car crash!!! Every time you click a link, it opens a new window / tab and it's horrible to navigate. Finding the right bullet you need is a minefield so here’s the idiots guide:
GS Custom has a novel load development technique, based on max velocity. You need a chronograph. Details here - it's not as confusing at it sounds initially! GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Load Guide for HV, FN and SP Bullets
Basically they give a starting load (weight) and maximum velocity for a bunch of powders in each calibre (with figures to add / subtract for different barrel lengths). You work out the maximum velocity for your barrel length then work up from the starting load in 0.5gr increments until your velocity reaches MAX (single shots at each charge weight) then back off to a charge weight that gives you about 100fps less than MAX. You don't shoot groups or check accuracy at this stage. A point to note, the start load in 260rem gave higher than the recommended velocity in my rifle (not higher than MAX) so you need to be slightly cautious as with everything in reloading! This process took me 4 rounds.
Once you’ve settled on a charge weight you then tune the load for accuracy by using seating depth.
I need to tinker with the seating depths some more in the 260 as they are acceptable but I think I can do better. This was one of the groups I shot with the '284. Note - by using the GS guide, these were shots 20-24 of the load development process. 5th shot nerves
Firstly, the GS Custom website is a car crash!!! Every time you click a link, it opens a new window / tab and it's horrible to navigate. Finding the right bullet you need is a minefield so here’s the idiots guide:
- You want HV Drive Band bullets for stalking – link: GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Recommended Use and Technical Data
- Bullets are numbered as follows: 3 digit calibre, 3 digit weight (grains), bullet type (HV), final 3 digits are the GS product code. So 264095HV134 is a 95gn HV bullet in 264 calibre.
- General consensus is go light (very light) for calibre. 95gr in 6.5mm and 62 or 69gr in .243 for example.
GS Custom has a novel load development technique, based on max velocity. You need a chronograph. Details here - it's not as confusing at it sounds initially! GS CUSTOM BULLETS - Load Guide for HV, FN and SP Bullets
Basically they give a starting load (weight) and maximum velocity for a bunch of powders in each calibre (with figures to add / subtract for different barrel lengths). You work out the maximum velocity for your barrel length then work up from the starting load in 0.5gr increments until your velocity reaches MAX (single shots at each charge weight) then back off to a charge weight that gives you about 100fps less than MAX. You don't shoot groups or check accuracy at this stage. A point to note, the start load in 260rem gave higher than the recommended velocity in my rifle (not higher than MAX) so you need to be slightly cautious as with everything in reloading! This process took me 4 rounds.
Once you’ve settled on a charge weight you then tune the load for accuracy by using seating depth.
I need to tinker with the seating depths some more in the 260 as they are acceptable but I think I can do better. This was one of the groups I shot with the '284. Note - by using the GS guide, these were shots 20-24 of the load development process. 5th shot nerves