I'm old to hunting/shooting . . . but am just starting to reload (finally!!). I'm ready to go shoot some of my first loads and was wondering what in particular you record when looking at the results of shooting paper?
I have of course recorded the bullet weight, powder charge, powder type and brand . . . but want to make sure I don't miss anything at the range.
I'm thinking accuracy at 100yds for sure, but what else?
Be aware of excess-pressure signs and always check for them when you change a load.
Anyways, as far as load testing, I would also record COL. When I don't like my results I'll try a couple different lengths in .003-.005" increments, each with a few powder charges. A lotta times I've gotten lucky and the 1st load works great. Sometimes it takes a couple trips out to shoot with a variety of loads. Especially when load-developing, I'd shoot either all shots cold bore or start each group cold bore. Just takes a variable away so you're not getting mixed results.
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Yeah, I'm too new at this to try something outside the recommended charge above or below. Strictly by the book at this point. I have recorded the overall cartridge length. I am staying .020 back from the lands/grooves to start.
bullet, brand, style and weight
powder, brand, type and possibly batch
brass, brand, number of fired times, trimmed to length
new brass or fired brass
total number of pieces of ammo in that batch
cartridge overall length
primer, brand, type
velocity average
SD
gun the ammo was fired in (I have 3 22-250s. 3 .204s and multiples of others as well)
I also shoot some wildcat cartridges that require case forming and fireforming. I record the process I used to get the best finished brass. I record whether or not I annealed it too.
Doesn't sound like a bad place to start! This is just me, but I tend to run at the rifling or within .015--I mostly load/shoot 7mmRM or 25-06. Anywho, I'd work up to max charge with your current COL. Then try a couple different COLs with a couple different charge weights and you oughta find something pretty quick. It's hard to go wrong with tight groups and a good/fast bullet
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Don't forget forget weather conditions, wind speed, temp, some powders are affected by heat or cold. Have had loads that i tested in warm temperature (75 degrees) and all shots were touching and when the temperature dropped below 50 degrees, the group opened up to over 2". So i made a personal rule to only test loads in the condititions it will ammo be used in. Deer loads test in cold weather and varmint only in warm weather.
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What do you record when shooting reloads?
