General reloading question

[Majja13]

Quick background, I have been reloading for pistols for 20+years for IPSC style shooting. I started really reloading rifles a few years ago, but am now really starting to geek out on trying to get the most out of my rifles. I understand looking for the correct load by starting low and working up with powder/bullet and primer combos.

My main question is once you have found what you think is the sweet spot is that when you start with changing OAL to see if it gets better or worse?

So an example is if the top 3 loads in a ladder test in .5 grn increments gave me the best results would I then shoot groups form all 3 of those or just take the best one of the 3?

Please any info would be welcome. After all testing=Range time and that is always a good time.

 

[dsculley]

Whether to test for seating depth before or after load work up is highly debated. Personally, I now test for seating depth first using a mild charge. I run an OCW to find a node. Once I have settled on the charge weight, I run another seating depth test. For both seating depth tests I use the Berger method which you can find on here. If you have not used it before, you can read about the OCW method here: http://www.ocwreloading.com/

As an aside, some people try to "enhance" the OCW test by shooting 5 rounds instead of 3, or by shooting at 200 yds instead of 100. I highly recommend that you stick to 3 rounds and 100 yds. The test is usually much easier to interpret that way.

In your ladder, if there are three consecutive charges that shoot the same vertical, you would select the middle charge, just as you would choose the middle charge in the OCW. This way, you are minimizing changes in vertical due to minor imperfections in loaded rounds.

 

[Mikecr]

I imagine finding best powder would be easier if not seated in a horrible place.
So I do a full test of seating before powder testing (while fire forming brass).

 

[dougduey]

There are so many ways to skin this cat!! Like dscully, I like and have used the Berger method of finding seating depth first. There is also a great article in the Article section of this site by Jerry Teo called Load Tuning. I've used his method with great results as well. He just sets the OAL to mag length and works the load from there. NOW, if you have a chronograph you can use the 6.5 Guys load development method. I have a Magnetto Speed chrono and found this to be a very quick way to get to the same end result. Look it up on their website and watch the video. I used this method to load develop for a friend with a 340 Weatherby. We did the seating depth test first, then found the velocity node. I tweaked the seating depth a little (0.005") to get a really nice tight group with a consistent velocity, low ES and single digit SD. It took about 30 rounds to get to the end product
Make sure you do some research to find a great powder for what you want to shoot. You'll want one that is 90-100% case fill at the max load to get the best results.
Good luck

 

[Rich Coyle]

tag

 

[Majja13]

Thanks for all the great info. I am doing the reading now and think I want to try finding the OAL node and then run with it.