Simple load development

[Reloader708]

Over the years I've developed quite a few loads for various calibres but I've never had a particular method in my search for accuracy.
It just means lots of components used and time spent messing with charge weights and seating depths. So i was wondering if anyone has a economical straight forward method for developing a load.
Thanks in advance.

 

[NigelM]

Quickload or Gordons plus OBT times and tables (Gordons has them built in so a bit easier). Do some homework on the bullet manufacturers recommendation for seating depth and most accurate powder.

Get all the inputs accurate and then find a load you like the look of that matches an OBT node. Load 4 at that charge weight and 4 at 1% up and 1% down. Go shoot them.

Pick the best of the bunch. If it's still not quite good enough play with seating depth - 30 thou steps.

Works for me and I rarely take more than 20 shots to find an accurate load.

Lots more detail you could go into but that's my basic method. There will be lots of other versions of how best to do it.

 

[Muir]

Pick a load from a maufacturer, load it exactly as they instruct with FL sized brass.~Muir

 

[User00040]

Pick a load from a maufacturer, load it exactly as they instruct with FL sized brass.~Muir

What?!

 

[griff]

Over the years I've developed quite a few loads for various calibres but I've never had a particular method in my search for accuracy.
It just means lots of components used and time spent messing with charge weights and seating depths. So i was wondering if anyone has a economical straight forward method for developing a load.
Thanks in advance.

1. From start load, load 10 rounds with .3gn difference(so 40/40.3/40.6 etc)and a set distance off the lands, shoot target @ 200yds so that you can clearly see the grouping, you are looking for a group where a powder charge does not make difference. Choose set charge and then play with seating depth.
2. load to find max load and then play with seating depth.

Try this:

G

 

[NP435]

Find the data, pick from what interests you I look for case filling charges. You may need to chose based on what can you obtain,(not one of my issues at the moment).
I load 10 -20 shots with powder charge increases and run the last 5 to 10 past the chronograph while also shooting for group sizes. Once seating depth works for the magazine or throat I don't change it at all.

 

[Alantoo]

The most economical one I have achieved was using a version of the OCW system. Seven rounds at 0.05g (0.772gr) intervals at the bullet manufacturer's recommended seating depth, shot over a Magnetospeed. Identified two nodes and loaded 5 rounds of each...

 

[Muir]

I can't see how "simple and economical" involves downloading / learning Quick Load. The data providers have already done the leg work for the end user, utilizing equipment that is beyond the aspirations of home loaders.

Frankly, in these times of short supply, much would be predicated on what components are available. If your distributor has only two kinds of suitable powder, and two kinds of bullets that would meet your needs, your path has narrowed considerably. Concentrate on making your loading technique as consistent as your equiment will allow. Same LOT brass, FL sized and prepped identically. Primer pockets clean. Use the starting charge weight. Seat to recommended OAL. Load as many as you can. I usually start with 50. By the time I finish using those fifty I am very well accquainted with the load characteristics. One of the things about some shooters is their belief that they need to do all their load development in a sitting. They must have the optimum best before hitting the woods. Do you think a deer would know the difference between a 150 grain 30-06 load delivering MOA aat 2600 fps and the same bullet giving 3/4 MOA at 2850? Not likely. One of my favorite 6.5 Grendel hunting loads started at 28.0 grains of powder @ 2500 fps. Three years later it is 31.5 grains at 2700 fps. I got good utility from the lighter load: accurate and deer worthy. The current load is also accurate and deer worthy. Loads evolve.

Load something that is simple, repeatable, and that allows you to get into the field. Seldom will you encounter a set of load data which, when followed to the letter, will give you bad accuracy. One of my favorite examples is the passage printed by the US importer of Lovex powder describing the utility of one variety of powder. They took Winchester 308 brass straight from the bag, seated a Winchester primer, charged with powder and seated a 168 grain Match King to 2.8 inches. Sub-MOA, 10-shot groups at 200. I found some Winchester brass in my larder and repeated their process and got just over half MOA.

It's just not that hard.~Muir

 

[User00040]

Sage @Muir has spoken, listen we must!

 

[paul o']

Work up load test in 3's , when there under .5 moa I then chrono as groups go to crap with chrono fitted , then move on to drops on drop chart target 4 feet high to get dope chart out to max range .

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

How I personally do it, 10+ rounds ascending at 0.3 Grains of powder apart at an identified powder range which will achieve the velocity I desire (picked using quickload) I then shoot them over the LabRadar, watching for pressure signs on each shot telling me if I need to stop, which allows me to plot the velocities as they ascend with powder charge. The data then gets entered into an excel document as attached and plotted.

From this I can see any possible velocity nodes. I then go and shoot a group with the powder charge as close to the centre of the node as possible for each possible node.

From this I have an idea of if that is a stable node based off ES and SD and if it may be usable. I can then vary seating depth if it's for a match round to hone grouping, for a stalking round I generally will stick with that standardised length providing the grouping is acceptable for the rifle.

This has consistent results across rifles, getting them grouping well and good velocity stability. For example, my .300 which is the data shown, at the lower node gave an ES of 10 and an SD of 5.4 when shooting a decent group, which to me for a factory barrelled action that only gets used stalking seems pretty consistent.

This to me is the easiest way to get consistent results, while you may strike it lucky by using manufacturer data, why not spend that extra little bit of time working it up fully for your rifle, to me it is worth it?

Just my opinion!

Ben

 

[User00040]

How I do it:

Look at reloading manual, usually best to consult the bullet and powder manufacturer simultaneously.

Check what powder charge coincides closely to a Lee Powder Scoop, and use that.

Seat bullet according to recommended OAL, load 10 rounds and shoot them back to back from cold bore.

Pray to gun gods and give offerings to Saint Richard Lee to ensure rifle don't blow up!

If group good, go kill deer. If group no good, try something different.

Simples!