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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Best way to find powder charge?
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<blockquote data-quote="QuietTexan" data-source="post: 2699653" data-attributes="member: 116181"><p>The last three custom barreled rifles I've started working on have all posted 5-shot groups under 1/2" with the first loads I've made - 93% of max book load/projected max load in QL, 0.020" off the lands, loaded both in big batches of new brass, or by reloading the same 5 cases 10 times in a row. There's something to be said for playing averages, especially early in a barrel's life. They aren't the fastest loads ever, the aren't the most perfectly tuned loads ever, but they shoot well enough to break in the rifle and hunt deer to mid-range with.</p><p></p><p>At 100 yards none of the muzzle velocity stats are going to matter, either the powder/bullet combo will shoot small or it won't. Load up a pressure ladder, find the real top in your rifle, pick the speed you want, and run it. Seating depth you got to start somewhere, either something arbitrary like 0.020" off or mag length if you're limited (shouldn't be in a 300 PRC but you never know). I wouldn't bother with less than 1gn intervals on the ladder or seating depth changes of less that 0.010" unless you want to shoot 5-10 shot strings to really prove out the increments.</p><p></p><p>IMO shoot pairs instead of 3-shot groups to save on components, statistically speaking the third shot doesn't tell you much of anything. If two shots suck the third won't make it any better; if two shots are perfect you really need to shoot 5-10 shots total to make sure it isn't a fluke, the third alone doesn't move the needle much.</p><p></p><p>Shooting groups get's boring fast. Shoot long distance cold bores if you can, and dot patrols for practice. You either hit the dot or you miss - it's pass/fail, just like shooting at an animal is. Group aggregate is a nice stat to post on the internet about - hits are what really counts.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="QuietTexan, post: 2699653, member: 116181"] The last three custom barreled rifles I've started working on have all posted 5-shot groups under 1/2" with the first loads I've made - 93% of max book load/projected max load in QL, 0.020" off the lands, loaded both in big batches of new brass, or by reloading the same 5 cases 10 times in a row. There's something to be said for playing averages, especially early in a barrel's life. They aren't the fastest loads ever, the aren't the most perfectly tuned loads ever, but they shoot well enough to break in the rifle and hunt deer to mid-range with. At 100 yards none of the muzzle velocity stats are going to matter, either the powder/bullet combo will shoot small or it won't. Load up a pressure ladder, find the real top in your rifle, pick the speed you want, and run it. Seating depth you got to start somewhere, either something arbitrary like 0.020" off or mag length if you're limited (shouldn't be in a 300 PRC but you never know). I wouldn't bother with less than 1gn intervals on the ladder or seating depth changes of less that 0.010" unless you want to shoot 5-10 shot strings to really prove out the increments. IMO shoot pairs instead of 3-shot groups to save on components, statistically speaking the third shot doesn't tell you much of anything. If two shots suck the third won't make it any better; if two shots are perfect you really need to shoot 5-10 shots total to make sure it isn't a fluke, the third alone doesn't move the needle much. Shooting groups get's boring fast. Shoot long distance cold bores if you can, and dot patrols for practice. You either hit the dot or you miss - it's pass/fail, just like shooting at an animal is. Group aggregate is a nice stat to post on the internet about - hits are what really counts. [/QUOTE]
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Best way to find powder charge?
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