Tuning a Load?

[edge]

My question is what order you use to decide on a load.

Let's assume that your gunsmith did an excellent job on your new long range rig. The action, barrel, crown, trigger are all perfect, and you have broken in the barrel.

I'll assume that your brass is all matched and in great shape too, and that the shooter is world class and capable of shooting zeros.

What I assume we are left to choose is bullet, powder, primers, and bullet distance from lands.
We want to shoot as high of a BC bullet that our twist can handle as our first choice, but will go with a compromise bullet if it is much more accurate.

How do you go about deciding which powder and primer to go with first, and just for the sake of argument let's assume that with your first choice you can't get under 1 MOA, and you know the rifle can shoot much better.

What would be your order of changes to tune this hypothetical rifle. Thanks.

edge.

 

[CatShooter]

I pick the buller I want to shoot first, based on what is going to be on the other end - paper, steel, or critters.

Then I pick the powder, based on what I need - usually I will avoid ball powders because they are so dirty, and temperature sensitive.
There are exceptions though... Some ball powders classic for the caliber, like 414 for the 6mm, 748 and BlC2 for the 223, etc.
Also... if I were loading for a PD shoot, I would consider a ball powder cuz they throw so well.

If you don't know what powders, then look in a loading book. For a given weight of bullet, the slower powders will usually give the best velocity, and the faster powders will give the best ES and SD... and tend to group the best.

The primers are already a given... I use Rem 7-1/2, CCI BR-2, and BR-4

.

 

[edge]

Thanks.

With the components and loads set for the first range session, what if things don't work out, what do you start adjusting first, second, etc. For instance would you stick with your first choice load and adjust the distance from the lands first or would you adjust powder charge, etc.


edge.

 

[Dan B]

[ QUOTE ]
......what if things don't work out.......

[/ QUOTE ]

What is your definition of "don't work out"? Most of my custom rifles will shoot all loads well (sub MOA) but show a preference for certain combo. I find that combo by changing powders. Not a good LR firearm example...but I had a T/C Contender Super 14 barel chambered in .35 Remington. Would not shoot under 1.75" at 100yds with any of half a dozen different powders. Found one load in an old manual that called for H335...what the heck...threw together a series of five rounds at five different charges and none went over 1" with the best at .5".

 

[CatShooter]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks. With the components and loads set for the first range session, what if things don't work out, what do you start adjusting first, second, etc. For instance would you stick with your first choice load and adjust the distance from the lands first or would you adjust powder charge, etc. edge.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't work out?? Hmmm.


Well... if you are going for "Longe Range Hunting", I would assume that when you take the gun out of the box, the first thing you do is take it apart, adjust the trigger to ~2-ish pounds, and epoxy bed the action and float the barrel.

That being said...

I guess if you are an elk or deer hunter, then you try another bullet, cuz there are so many of them out there... but there is a limit as to how many bullets you can test.

Since this IS "Long Range Hunting", one would presume that the cartridges are large for the bore size, ergo, magnums, or cartridges that burn optimum powders of 4350 and slower class.
Also, that the barrels will not be feather weight.

So a medium or heavy barrel that is made reasonably well, should show it's possibilities pretty quick.

So going through the whole catalogue of bullets would be fruitless, cuz you wouldn't have a throat left.

You have to make some decisions up front.

If the gun is off the rack, then you can have an excellent barrel, or a turd.

A good barrel should be showing good groups right off with reasonable loads.

For example, with a 300WM, and a quality 180 - 200 grain bullet, if you can't get 3/4" or better with H-4350 and/or H-4831 within 60-80 rounds, you have a dog-a-roo, and don't waste any more time with it!!

Playing around with every 180 bullet you can buy ain't gonna change things. You might "get lucky" and find something after 400 rounds (and $300 worth of components)... but even then, that "good group" might just disappear the next go-around.

-

I set the bullets to touch the rifling - if the magazine isn't long enough, I either lengthen the magazine, or load single rounds - after all, at 700 yds you ain't gonna need (or get) a quick second shot.

With bullets seated to touch, and decent powder/bullet weight combinations, if I couldn't see good grouping possibilities in 100 rounds, I would replace the barrel with a custom barrel from a good maker.

-

"I think"... that putting together a long range hunting rifle is a project that should be planed and thought out.
I don't think you get a successful long range rifle by grabbing the first magnum on sale at Wally-world, with the generic Chin-lee 3x9 scope that he threw in to sweeten the deal.

I think these rifles need to be thought out in advance... balanced as a unit.
You pick the caliber and optics and rifle to fit your goals.

For example...
I have a need for a very long range coyote/feral dog rifle. A member of my family has a problem with them on her pedigreed cattle spread. A lost calf is the down payment to a nice car!

I used to use a 300 WM with 178 A-Max's, but I found out that they didn't open up very fast, and often bounced around the north 40.

So I am putting together a new 1,000 yd coyote/feral dog rifle in .264 Win Mag, so I can use real fragile varmint bullets.

I had considered building from scratch, but the cost wasn't worth it, so I bought a Remington Sendero-II, after two friends said that they were using the Sendero-II's for 1,000 yd "F" class match shooting, "out of the box", with trigger adjustments.

I chose the rifle and scope together with one purpose, so everything was picked before the rifle was bought.

Here's the process.

1 - Caliber - I needed to have a caliber that had the most possible range, with proven fragile "varmint" bullets... which was why I was giving up on the 300 WM. The caliber/bullet had to have enough energy at ~1,000yds to completely wreck a 70 pound feral dog with an attitude, even with a less than optimal hit.

Simply going up the list of varmint bullets came to .264/6.5mm. Bore sizes larger than that had poor choices in varmint bullets, with poor BC's, which meant poor wind characteristics. The bullet was the 95 gr V-Max which has a very good BC and excellent (and proven) "explosive" effects.

That was just about IT for bullets.

Then the scope... the targets in this case are furtive, and don't stand out in a meadow waiting for you to get your collective poo-poo together. So fast ranging and very fast shooting were needed. When I was using other guns in the past, the time waisted in dialing the elevation cost me many targets... and also many were lost because I was a "whole turn off" on the elevation turret.

So I chose the Leupold MK4-M3 scope that had ranging cams (BDC), and one turn from 100 to 1200yds. If I dialed it, it would be there, RIGHT NOW!
I had used this scope in 1,000 yd field competitions before and it does work well, and fast.

I made these decisions BEFORE I chose and bought the rifle.

On the recommendations of the Sendero's, I was a little bit cautious, cuz I have had a few Remington that were turds in the past. I ordered it with the understanding that I could refuse it "for cause"!

When it came in last fall, I looked it over real hard, and it was probably the nicest/smoothest Remington I have seen in 20 years - action was like glass, barrel was centered in the channel. I ran a tight patch through the barrel, and it was consistently smooth, with no loose spots. No tool marks, or rough spots anywhere. Not a perfect test, but a good start.

Working up the loads... With a cartridge like the 264WM, you don't want to spend months looking for a load, cuz you won't have any barrel life left.

So I picked two powders that looked good - H-4350, and H-4831. I picked these powders because they are temperature stable, and clean burning. The H-4350 is a bit fast to be "optimal", and the H-4831 is optimal in burning rate, giving 100-150 fps more velocity.
But I have found that powders on the fast side generally give better groups, and I was looking for the best accuracy.

Then I loaded 2 rounds of each powder weight, in one grain steps.

Now two rounds don't prove a great load... but the DO prove a badd load, plus you can find the max loads and upper pressure limits at the same time.

If two rounds are touching, this can be a great load, or just two shots out of a five shot group that was badd... but if the two shots are 1.3" apart, you KNOW this is a sucky load, and you don't waste time with testing it further.

Then you pick the best two shot groups, and test them with 5 shot groups. It's easy.

If I hadn't found a good load in ~100-120 rounds, I would have sent it out for a new barrel.

That's how I do it... I'm sure that others do it differently.

On the Sendero... all the 2 shot groups were touching /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

... and then the snow came!

.

 

[BountyHunter]

I think you have to look at what variables you can control first, ie bullets, cases, powders, primers and maybe seating depth and neck tension.

Old rule of thumb, bullets, barrels and cases. Best in each.

Cases first in order RWS, Lapua, Norma, Win, Fed and god forbid finally Rem.

Primers, really depends on caliber. magnums I start with 210s and then 215s. Normally 215s are not needed except really large cases, large loads of hard to ignite powder. Many times in mags the 210s work much better. smaller calibers the CCI Br 2, 4 and 450s. But that is my preference. Lot of guys are having good luck with the PMC (Russian) primers.

Powders- non temp sensitive, ie Hodgen would be the first line to look at. However, I have 25 lbs left of Norma MRP which is a smoker in the 300 WSM.

For example, seating depth may be limited by max OAL on a magazine. If that is the case start at max and work in.

Pick the bullet type that will work for your target type. Game, paper etc.

Seat to max magazine oal if mag gun or if single shot, seat into the lands .030 IF a VLD, if sierra then seat touching. Reason, only one way to go and that is back out. Most have found the VLDs prefere into the lands IF possible, and Sierras and other non VLDs normally like it off.

Work loads up on powder first to find best powder load, then seating depth changes and finally neck tension. I have found that once I have my powder load, I can change primers and normally find out if the primer is going to help or hurt the load. We can discuss methods to find the powder load all day long.

No no big game gun will shoot in the zeros routinely, so do not let anyone tell you that lie. The guys on BR central have standing bets for any fool that says otherwise for him to come and prove it. **** few BR guns shoot in the .0 routinely, most are .1 or .2. Big game guns normally cannot do that, maybe once in a blue moon (if it was even measured right) but not routinely. If your gun shoots .5 all day long and once every year you shoot at .1 you have a .5 gun not a .1 gun. A once in a lifetime 3 shot group does not mean that is what that gun does routinely.

BH

 

[CatShooter]

BH...

You have given him so many variables to look at, that he has more variables to deal than rifle barrel to test it all. You haven't answered a thing.

By his description, the barrel, rifle, cases, etc are already a fixed quantity.

He asked about "bullet, powder, primers"... that's all.

To have him try all the primers etc, will leave him with a shot out barrel.

The cups on Fed primers are much thinner that the others... and they show pressure signs much sooner.

The variation in primers is so slight that it takes a bench grade gun to tell the difference, and even then, it's in the hundredths of an inch, or thousandths.

I can swap 7-1/2s and BR-4 and see no difference in my Benchrest rifle (a 6mmBR).

If his caliber can be had in Lapua or Norma... then he shoots what he has - and for a longrange hunting rifle, the difference between Norma and Winchester is moot!

He asked a simple question... finding a good longrange hunting load should NOT be that difficult.

.

 

[edge]

Thanks to all, very informative.

My reason, and I should have been a little more clear is that I am going to help someone with a new rifle.

Since we do not live near each other I would like to work it all out in as few sessions as possible.

We will meet at a farmers barn where we can set up a reloading bench and shoot out to 300 yards.

What I envision is shooting a few rounds of his first choice components and working up those components till he hits max pressure or shoots consistently small groups.

We will have several bullet choices, powder, and primers.

Mainly I was looking for where to go if Plan A did not work to his satisfaction. In other words if we hover around 1 MOA would you adjust seating depth OR try a different powder? Really I am looking for the first 5 Or 10 things that you would do to find that perfect load. I want to know which direction to go FIRST if Plan A goes kaput!!

Thanks again for your help, you have given me a lot to think about.

edge.

 

[Jimm]

BH,

Following this thread a bit and just wanted to say thanks for putting so many choices / steps in such a a simple way . Leastwise it seems pretty simple to me after trying to digest so much from so many /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Jim B.

 

[BountyHunter]

Catshooter.

[ QUOTE ]
By his description, the barrel, rifle, cases, etc are already a fixed quantity.

He asked about "bullet, powder, primers"... that's all.

To have him try all the primers etc, will leave him with a shot out barrel.

[/ QUOTE ]

Duh, Maybe you need to read again, more slowly this time as you missed everything the first time.

I listed cases, primers and powder as to what I would use to start, particularily not knowing the caliber. In fact I think I went into a little more specific detail than you did, particularily in cases, seating depth and sequence of working a load up.

I never mentioned trying all primers, that is something you imagined. I stated my preference in primers in order again, just like the cases. I listed my preference in powder lines on an unnamed cartridge.

The only variable specifically not addressed was bullets other than to say exactly what you did. He has already said he is going to pick the highest BC bullet for whatever target he is using. I specifically mentioned working the powder load first using whatever technique you wand and then the other variables. I did specifically mention how to go about choosing and working the seating depth which you omitted.

Also he started out saying a gun that would shoot in the zeros and you start talking about a gun out of the box and adjusting triggers. Guess you missed the boat on that one too as a top line gunsmith gun that shoots in the zeros sure does not need a trigger job.

Suggest you go back and read your own comments as you are out in right field on this cheap shot and you "missed the kitty bigtime", Catshooter.

BH

 

[CatShooter]

Yeah... I guess you're right.

He should start out with a few boxes of all the better primers available, and a few types of brass.

Then he should try all the bullets that are suitable for his needs, and four or five powders.

Then he can mix and match them all until he finds the ultimate load.

Of course, for this chore, he needs to buy a full three die set of Redding BR Competition dies.

And when he is through, he can buy a new barrel, cuz the one he has is all burned out.

A kinda anal compulsive approach to hunting loads.

Then again... with a world class shooter capable of shooting in the "Zeros", and a top of the line rifle, and perfect cases... why is this magical shooter asking questions about what powder, primers, and seating distance... ??

Kinda elementary questions from such a shooter?

.

 

[edge]

BOY, THIS THREAD HAS CERTAINLY DEGRADED!

Unfortunately you have completely missed the point!

NOBODY said that the the shooter IS world class, only that for this exercise assume that SO SOMEBODY doesn't start suggesting shooting form, etc!

The rifle is what it is, I have never heard of somebody going to the range with a lathe and building a rifle from scratch AT THE RANGE.

ALL I WANTED TO KNOW WAS WHAT I ASKED! Nobody asked to be insulted for asking a question, but thanks anyway!

edge.

 

[CatShooter]

I did not set out to degrade you.

I gave reasonable advice for finding a good hunting load.

And I responded to advice that would take you on the ballistic search for the Holly Grail.

Then BH took it down to the gutter.

I doubt that it will get out.

Try to sort out of this what you can.

.

 

[BountyHunter]

Catshooter,

lets set the record straight. You took it to the gutter.

You imagined things that were not said or infered and then went on your inane rants about barrel burning and testing all cases, bullets and primers when YOU are the only one who took that there.

I point out one key flay in your stated technique as applies to your issue with barrel burning. Using one grain increments for testing increments will often result in skipping over a node and then you recommend a new barrel because of faulty testing methods ranks right up there for a "Heres your Sign award" and barrel burning for sure.

As for Federal primers being sensitive to pressure, I want to know where my pressure is and isn't and they are consistently produce accurate loads which helps when you want to be able to go past "acceptable hunting accuracy" into the zero realm.

I would recommend we drop this here, but if you must please explain "What is acceptable hunting load accuracy for a gun that shoots in the zeros? This I have to hear.

Edge

Suggest you take no more than two bullets and two powders for that cartridge whatever it is with seating depth set as I described before. Go to the range with loads for each starting loaded up to speed up the process. For example, 300 WSM start with H4350 and MRP, 6mm BR use Varget and RL15. Pretty easy to ID the two common powders for any cartridge to start with. Most cartridges have 2-3 major and most common "go to" powders.

Shoot your loads (ladder or 2-3 shot groups, you pick)and then tweak the powder loads while at the range , then seating depth last. IF you have a chrono and SD/ES is an issue, try different primers.

Contrary to some opinions, primer changes can radically open a group up (up to 1" or more) particularily when going from a regular to a magnum primer and vice versa. they can also take a good working load and really tighten it up that last final bit.

BH