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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Proper steps to work up a new load?
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<blockquote data-quote="azsugarbear" data-source="post: 1112464" data-attributes="member: 4809"><p>I will use LRH and other forums to help me decide which 2 or 3 powders will work best for the bullet I want to shoot (usually the heaviest Berger, Sierra, Nosler I can find). I will make notes on where everybody seems to be maxing out - and then double check those numbers against several reloading manuals and on-line web pages from the powder companies. Due to liability exposure, I have found that a true max load is usually somewhere around to 2-4 grains above the published data, but you need to work up to that load to verify for yourself. I will then start about 2-3 grains under max published load in the manuals & on-line and load up in one grain increments (half grain increments for smaller, non-magnum cartridges) until about 4-5 grains over max. </p><p> </p><p>I then go to the range and chrono all shots - looking at overall velocity and consistency in the increase of velocity. After each shot I will look for signs of excess pressure such as flattening primers, sticky bolt lift, erratic increases in velocity, etc. I may not shoot every round that I load up. I record my powder charge and velocity in a notebook dedicated to that rifle. After I am done, I will usually pick the powder that produces the highest velocity. I do not deal with any powders that are temp sensitive. Period.</p><p> </p><p>Once I have an idea where the upper end of my load will be (wherever I stopped due to signs of pressure), I will back off one full grain and start loading down from there in half grain increments for an OCW (optimum charge weight) test.</p><p> </p><p>Once the OCW test reveals where my node is, I will select a charge in the middle of that node and load up close to 20 rounds and begin to experiment with seating depth. Once I find the seating depth that provides the best group - I am done. Everything is recorded in the notebook for future reference.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="azsugarbear, post: 1112464, member: 4809"] I will use LRH and other forums to help me decide which 2 or 3 powders will work best for the bullet I want to shoot (usually the heaviest Berger, Sierra, Nosler I can find). I will make notes on where everybody seems to be maxing out - and then double check those numbers against several reloading manuals and on-line web pages from the powder companies. Due to liability exposure, I have found that a true max load is usually somewhere around to 2-4 grains above the published data, but you need to work up to that load to verify for yourself. I will then start about 2-3 grains under max published load in the manuals & on-line and load up in one grain increments (half grain increments for smaller, non-magnum cartridges) until about 4-5 grains over max. I then go to the range and chrono all shots - looking at overall velocity and consistency in the increase of velocity. After each shot I will look for signs of excess pressure such as flattening primers, sticky bolt lift, erratic increases in velocity, etc. I may not shoot every round that I load up. I record my powder charge and velocity in a notebook dedicated to that rifle. After I am done, I will usually pick the powder that produces the highest velocity. I do not deal with any powders that are temp sensitive. Period. Once I have an idea where the upper end of my load will be (wherever I stopped due to signs of pressure), I will back off one full grain and start loading down from there in half grain increments for an OCW (optimum charge weight) test. Once the OCW test reveals where my node is, I will select a charge in the middle of that node and load up close to 20 rounds and begin to experiment with seating depth. Once I find the seating depth that provides the best group - I am done. Everything is recorded in the notebook for future reference. [/QUOTE]
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Proper steps to work up a new load?
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