First, let me say that there is nothing new or novel about my approach, and it may not even be the best one in any way. A lot of what previous posters on this subject have offered may be a lot better!! This is just the way I learned it, and so far the results have been acceptable. However, even though it hasn't happened to me yet, I can see where my method might result in using up more powder, primers and bullets than some of the ways other folks do it.

When trying to find an accurate load, I never change more than one variable factor at a time. I start with a bullet known for accuracy, usually a Sierra of the weight I want to use in my final load. Then I select a starting load, usually 2 grains under what the manual says is maximum for that powder type & bullet weight.

Next, I load five rounds using that starting load & bullet, loaded to an overall length 2mm less than touching the lands. Next, I increase the powder charge 1/2 grain, and load five more, etc.,until I have reached one grain OVER BOOK MAX., five rounds at each 1/2 grain increase. I then go to the range, and, starting with the lowest powder charge, fire five-shot groups at each level. I fire each group on a separate target, and fire each five-shot lot, noting such thigs as primer appearance & bolt-lift, case appearance and examine each case head for unusual marks, etc. IF I SEE ANY SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE PRESSURES FROM A PARTICULAR 5-SHOT BATCH, I will NOT fire any of the heaver loads!I realize that appearance is no proof of anything- I use my Lyman 310 decapping tool to remove fired primers and then to recap at the range. This lets me know if primer pockets have begun to enlarge!


If any of these five-shot batches shows acceptable accuracy, I choose it and load up 20 more exactly the same! Then I shoot these to verify that the load is indeed acceptable.

IF the load is generally acceptable, I will load 10 more identical loads but with the same weight Nosler Partition bullet instead of Sierras, (hunting mmo) and see if this change is OK too. So far, almost every load I have switched from Sierras to Noslers in, w/o any other change, has given equal or better accuracy. The exceptions only required a minor powder weight adjustment to start performing well.

IF my first effort did not result in an acceptable load, I will change ONE VARIABLE (ie, the bullet or powder type) and do the workupagain. Rarely have I had a problem getting the accuracy I want the first time, but it has happened. Many will tell you that accuracy always is best 2 grains or so under MAX. I have NOT found this rule to work out all the time-many of the loads I have gotten the best performance from were either at or over a book-maximum. However, I will not continue to use a load which will not allow cases to last as long as I want-I like 10 loadings or moreout of a batch of cases.

With modern, medium to large capacity bottleneck cases, I begin load development with a powder as slow as can be used for a specific cartridge & bullet weight-usually IMR 4350, N204, MRP, RE 22, or IMR 7828. Slow powders have less propensity to jump to too-high pressure spikes as quickly as faster ones. This is especially true of large-grain, extruded nitrocellulose types as opposed to double-based, small-grain or ball powders.