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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Newbie Load Development Question - How many rounds and how many grain increments?
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<blockquote data-quote="el matador" data-source="post: 1142794" data-attributes="member: 12193"><p>Can I ask what kind of gun you're loading for? And which brand of brass you're using? Loading for a factory Rem 700 ADL with Winchester brass is quite a bit different than loading for a custom rifle with Lapua brass.</p><p></p><p>For a beginner I would recommend FL sizing and learning how to properly set up the die for minimal shoulder bump. You want only about .002" of shoulder bump and 1/4 turn of a die is about .018". So get it down to within 1/36th of a turn for best accuracy and brass life.</p><p></p><p>Use good quality brass so you won't have to worry about neck turning.</p><p></p><p>In answer to your original question, I like to use roughly 1% increments for my load workup. </p><p></p><p>My first step is to choose a seating depth. For some rifles you are limited by magazine length or the size/shape of the bullet, so you may not need to fire a single shot to decide on a seating depth. For most rifles I will pick a powder charge near the starting load and shoot a few groups to find a good seating depth. I'll go in .040" increments starting at zero or .010" off the lands and work back to .120" or .150" off.</p><p></p><p>Once I have an idea of where the best seating depth is I will do powder charges in 1% increments from about 95% to 100% of published max load. Often I'll load one round at 92% and one at 94% just to be extra cautious, and I can use those two shots for foulers and to get on paper. Then 3 shot groups at 95%, 96%, etc. up to 100%. If I don't like any groups after this test I'll try a different bullet or powder. If I am liking one particular load I will try a few groups with slightly different seating depth and/or powder charge until I pinpoint the best load. </p><p></p><p>I have had the best luck when using bullet/powder combinations that others have had success with. I read the loading manuals and search the forums for good potential combinations. </p><p></p><p>Keep good records. You can waste a lot of time and money testing the same loads twice if you can't remember what you've already tested.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="el matador, post: 1142794, member: 12193"] Can I ask what kind of gun you're loading for? And which brand of brass you're using? Loading for a factory Rem 700 ADL with Winchester brass is quite a bit different than loading for a custom rifle with Lapua brass. For a beginner I would recommend FL sizing and learning how to properly set up the die for minimal shoulder bump. You want only about .002" of shoulder bump and 1/4 turn of a die is about .018". So get it down to within 1/36th of a turn for best accuracy and brass life. Use good quality brass so you won't have to worry about neck turning. In answer to your original question, I like to use roughly 1% increments for my load workup. My first step is to choose a seating depth. For some rifles you are limited by magazine length or the size/shape of the bullet, so you may not need to fire a single shot to decide on a seating depth. For most rifles I will pick a powder charge near the starting load and shoot a few groups to find a good seating depth. I'll go in .040" increments starting at zero or .010" off the lands and work back to .120" or .150" off. Once I have an idea of where the best seating depth is I will do powder charges in 1% increments from about 95% to 100% of published max load. Often I'll load one round at 92% and one at 94% just to be extra cautious, and I can use those two shots for foulers and to get on paper. Then 3 shot groups at 95%, 96%, etc. up to 100%. If I don't like any groups after this test I'll try a different bullet or powder. If I am liking one particular load I will try a few groups with slightly different seating depth and/or powder charge until I pinpoint the best load. I have had the best luck when using bullet/powder combinations that others have had success with. I read the loading manuals and search the forums for good potential combinations. Keep good records. You can waste a lot of time and money testing the same loads twice if you can't remember what you've already tested. [/QUOTE]
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Newbie Load Development Question - How many rounds and how many grain increments?
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