Testing new loads

[AardvarkSlayer]

What are some of your reloading procedures for testing new loads? I've been reloading for 22-250 and .257 AI for a few months now and I'm wondering if there's a better way...in other words, I take a minimum powder charge, use it for 3 different groups of ammo with the same bullet, and only vary the seating depth. Once I find the sweet spot for the seating depth for that charge, I then work up the load. That's a great method for finding an accurate load with ONE powder, but then, you have to try different powders to see if you can get it even more accurate. This is where I get confused...Can the seating depth I found with one powder be the sweet spot seating depth also for another powder, or do I have to start all over again and experiment with different seating depths? I do it that way...For example, I'll load 3 groups of matchkings with the same charge of Benchmark powder and vary the seating depth...then I'll load 3 groups of the same bullet with H380 powder using the same 3 differen seating depths, then i'll do the same with varget, and so on....Am I wasting time and money here? should I just find one sweet spot seating depth with one bullet and stick with it for all different powders? Thanks for any help on this confusing question!

[eldeguello]

ORIGINAL: AardvarkSlayer

What are some of your reloading procedures for testing new loads? I've been reloading for 22-250 and .257 AI for a few months now and I'm wondering if there's a better way...in other words, I take a minimum powder charge, use it for 3 different groups of ammo with the same bullet, and only vary the seating depth. Once I find the sweet spot for the seating depth for that charge, I then work up the load. That's a great method for finding an accurate load with ONE powder, but then, you have to try different powders to see if you can get it even more accurate. This is where I get confused...Can the seating depth I found with one powder be the sweet spot seating depth also for another powder, or do I have to start all over again and experiment with different seating depths? I do it that way...For example, I'll load 3 groups of matchkings with the same charge of Benchmark powder and vary the seating depth...then I'll load 3 groups of the same bullet with H380 powder using the same 3 differen seating depths, then i'll do the same with varget, and so on....Am I wasting time and money here? should I just find one sweet spot seating depth with one bullet and stick with it for all different powders? Thanks for any help on this confusing question!

I start with a specific powder and bullet, and a "minimum starting load." Then I load three or five rounds (5 for target/varmint rifles, three for a hunting rifle) at that level three or five with 0.5 of a grain more, etc., up to BOOK maximum or a grain or so OVER BOOK MAX. I then go to the bench and test each load, and select the MOST ACCURATE for my further testing. While shooting these loads, I stop shooting at whatever load level begins to show signs of unacceptable pressures!! For a seating depth for these test loads, I seat the bullet to about 2mm off of the lands, or 2mm shorter than the magazine box will permit, whichever is a deeper seating depth.

Once I find the most accurate load by this method, I can then experiment with different seating depths, different primer brands, etc., IF I THINK ACCURACY IS STILL LESS THAN I'M WILLING TO SETTLE FOR!

I will accept groups of 1.25" or less for big-game rifles, and .75" for varmint shooting. I realize a lot of folks want a lot better accuracy than this, and are willing to go to some great efforts to get it! I would too, for benchrest competition, which I have never engaged in! However, using my approach, I have several loads for several rifles that shoot under 1" @ 100 yards, and a couple that will shoot 1" @ 200 yards. One of these is a Ruger No.1B in 7mm Rem. mag., and the other is a M1909 Argentine with no changes except a 3X-9X Bushnell DScopecjhief on it, and it is still a 7.65X54mm.

[wolf1]

hey fellow,eldeguello,is headed the right way,but i add to that.big game are0.015 ins to 0.020 ins off lands and grove.ground hog loads are 0.010 ins off.
the reason big game you could be in snow or rain or ice to close could cause to much press,ground hog no bad weather,closer to lands and grove the better they group
also after i find the best 0.5 grain load,i then start loading in 0.2 grain from 0.75g before the best 0.5 grain load to 0.75g after the best 0.5g load.
(exp) lets say your best load with 0.5 grain change is at 42.0 grains i would back up to 41.2 grains loading in 0.2 grain change up to 42.8 grains. and then shoot for best group. i shoot three shot groups to test
i have taken stock firearms that would shoot only 3 in groups with factor loads and doing this will now shoot right at 0.25 in groups at 100 yds.
hope this helps.wolf1

[stubblejumper]

I work up my loads in 1gr increments for the larger capacity cartridges(50gr+) and .5gr increments for my small capacity cartridges.I look for a load that keeps consistant accuracy when the powder charge is increased or decreased by a grain.These loads tend to be much more stable in the changing temperature conditions that occur during hunting season.The loads whose accuracy changes substantially by increasing or decreasing the powder charge by .5gr or 1 gr tend to be very inconsistant when the temperature changes so I don't use them for hunting.There is no point in developing a load that shoots 1" groups at 70 degrees but shoots 2" groups at 30 degrees because we have no control over the conditions that we hunt in.