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I need some reloading guidance concerning ES SD
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<blockquote data-quote="codyadams" data-source="post: 1716653" data-attributes="member: 87243"><p>Usually one of the first things I do with Berger, Nosler and Hornady bullets is a seating depth test, if it is a combo I have worked with before I know roughly where max will be, and skip this next step. If not, I do this. </p><p></p><p>I find max by starting low and going up, 1 round at each charge weight, going up in .5 grain increments in standard or smaller cartridges, such as a 6.5 creed, and 1 grain in bigger cartridges, such as the .338 Norma Mag, until I see pressure. I then know my max allowable charge. </p><p></p><p>Then I run a seating depth test. I already know where max is, so I go a couple grains below that (in my experience powder charge isn't as important here other than just having safe pressures) starting at .005"-.010" off, and running out to .125"-.130" off in .030" jumps, and don't use my magneto speed, I go for accuracy. The most accurate seating depth range is usually obvious, and I run with that until nearly the end then fine tune seating. </p><p></p><p>Next, I should know my max by now with either previous experience or my initial max pressure work up, I use my magneto speed to get velocities by loading 1 shot at each charge, and move up in either .2 to .3 grain increments to cover a range of about 1.5 - 2 grains up to or just under my max. I graph them, and almost always find one or two flat spots in different velocities. If I had an attachment for my magneto speed or once I get a labrador that wouldn't contact the barrel, I would be simultaneously doing a 400-600 yard ladder test to confirm the velocity numbers. For now I rely on the numbers. If velocity is all over the place and inconsistent, this is where I try different primers with a similar workup. I may drop it by a few 10ths if I switch to mag primers.</p><p></p><p>Usually by here I have located a flat spot or two, seating depth is roughed out, and if I needed to change primers that is done. I pick a load in the middle of my preferred flat spot, and load up some for groups. If they shoot really good, I leave it alone and call it a day. If it leaves something fo be desired, I do another seating depth test with groups, but this time I only cover a .020" to .030" range (depending on what my initial seating depth test showed) in .005" increments. In quality rifles, by here I almost always find a half or better MOA load that is sub 20 e.s.</p><p></p><p>The only guns that I haven't been able to achieve half or better MOA groups and/or sub 20 e.s. numbers using this method is a few barreled factory rifles, but I have even got it with several of those. In only one or two guns I had to switch powder, as accuracy just wasn't coming together with a given powder, though the distance off the lands for a given bullet usually remains the same for the life of the barrel, so changing powders at any given time is just a charge workup.</p><p></p><p>While it sounds like a lot of rounds, I have found this to actually take the least amount of rounds compared to other methods that I tried that use less initial rounds, as I may settle for mediocre performance, but later want better outcomes so I do more load tuning that ends up using just as much or more ammo than doing it like I just explained would use anyway. </p><p></p><p>There are other things to test as well, such as neck tension and neck length sizing, and I'm sure some other things if you really want to get the absolute most out of a rig, but for hunting purposes out to 800-1200 yards the results I see are plenty. For benchrest or elr competition, or if you just want more, that is where these other things come into play. </p><p></p><p>However as others have said, a cheap chronograph will undo all the work you would put in to this. It may get you a good general idea of velocities, but it simply won't be as accurate as a magneto speed or labrador, and for this kind of load tuning, you simply need to be able to acquire accurate velocities. </p><p></p><p>Sorry for the long winded response!!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="codyadams, post: 1716653, member: 87243"] Usually one of the first things I do with Berger, Nosler and Hornady bullets is a seating depth test, if it is a combo I have worked with before I know roughly where max will be, and skip this next step. If not, I do this. I find max by starting low and going up, 1 round at each charge weight, going up in .5 grain increments in standard or smaller cartridges, such as a 6.5 creed, and 1 grain in bigger cartridges, such as the .338 Norma Mag, until I see pressure. I then know my max allowable charge. Then I run a seating depth test. I already know where max is, so I go a couple grains below that (in my experience powder charge isn't as important here other than just having safe pressures) starting at .005"-.010" off, and running out to .125"-.130" off in .030" jumps, and don't use my magneto speed, I go for accuracy. The most accurate seating depth range is usually obvious, and I run with that until nearly the end then fine tune seating. Next, I should know my max by now with either previous experience or my initial max pressure work up, I use my magneto speed to get velocities by loading 1 shot at each charge, and move up in either .2 to .3 grain increments to cover a range of about 1.5 - 2 grains up to or just under my max. I graph them, and almost always find one or two flat spots in different velocities. If I had an attachment for my magneto speed or once I get a labrador that wouldn't contact the barrel, I would be simultaneously doing a 400-600 yard ladder test to confirm the velocity numbers. For now I rely on the numbers. If velocity is all over the place and inconsistent, this is where I try different primers with a similar workup. I may drop it by a few 10ths if I switch to mag primers. Usually by here I have located a flat spot or two, seating depth is roughed out, and if I needed to change primers that is done. I pick a load in the middle of my preferred flat spot, and load up some for groups. If they shoot really good, I leave it alone and call it a day. If it leaves something fo be desired, I do another seating depth test with groups, but this time I only cover a .020" to .030" range (depending on what my initial seating depth test showed) in .005" increments. In quality rifles, by here I almost always find a half or better MOA load that is sub 20 e.s. The only guns that I haven't been able to achieve half or better MOA groups and/or sub 20 e.s. numbers using this method is a few barreled factory rifles, but I have even got it with several of those. In only one or two guns I had to switch powder, as accuracy just wasn't coming together with a given powder, though the distance off the lands for a given bullet usually remains the same for the life of the barrel, so changing powders at any given time is just a charge workup. While it sounds like a lot of rounds, I have found this to actually take the least amount of rounds compared to other methods that I tried that use less initial rounds, as I may settle for mediocre performance, but later want better outcomes so I do more load tuning that ends up using just as much or more ammo than doing it like I just explained would use anyway. There are other things to test as well, such as neck tension and neck length sizing, and I'm sure some other things if you really want to get the absolute most out of a rig, but for hunting purposes out to 800-1200 yards the results I see are plenty. For benchrest or elr competition, or if you just want more, that is where these other things come into play. However as others have said, a cheap chronograph will undo all the work you would put in to this. It may get you a good general idea of velocities, but it simply won't be as accurate as a magneto speed or labrador, and for this kind of load tuning, you simply need to be able to acquire accurate velocities. Sorry for the long winded response!! [/QUOTE]
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