Depends on the cartridge, but for most centerfire rifle cartridges I'd say absolutely.

stat, sure it is, if your happy, we are happy. But got to ask yourself, why not by factory ammo then. Maybeits more accurate the higher powder load you go. The fun is finding out. We all load for different reasons. Some to save money, some to squeeze out every ounce of performance, some to have more flexibility in bullets, some just think its cool hobby.

I do it for a combination of all the above.

I like all those things too! I just really need a work shop to make this less painful. Having to set up each time is very frustrating. Adds a good half hour to the process. Because of this I loaded up too much ammo and I either just need to shoot it off or disassemble it. Like I said just slightly frustrated.

Tom

I forgot about that stat. I think I understand your situation.

depends on the cartridge and ofcourse shot placement. I loaded up some light loads in 308 with 42 grains varget under a 165 grain sierra BTHP GK for my lady to shoot just so she gets the idea of shooting a high power rifle. the rounds actually group decent and chronographed a little over 2500 fps if she ever decided to hunt with me they would deffinately be adequate to take big game and at 300 yards they should still be producing well over 1000 ft lbs of energy which seems to be the minimum energy margin when deciding if a caliber is adequate for big game.

I stop increasing powder charges when I find a load that groups well, PROVIDED it has sufficient velocity for the purposefor which the load is being worked up. For a long-range, heavy-game load I want sufficient velocity for flat trajectories with a heavy, well-built bulletcoupled with enough consistency to hit at extended ranges (+-300 yrds). For deer at shorter ranges, velocity is not so important, but precise placement, therefore accuracy/consistency, is needed. Bullets can be lighter in both weight and construction.

Tom, I think you're confusing apples, oranges, and bananas here! Those three bullets are intended for entirely different applications! Those Nosler Partition 180 grain loads you have there are excellent for elk, moose, and big bears. But, although they'd no doubt work, they areoverkill for deer-size game. OTOH, either of your 150 or 165-grain loads are much better forsmaller game up to the size of mule deer.

If you are getting 1.5" groups with the starting load, you have room to experiment by increasing the loads, say 1 grain at a time, and see if the groups don't get smaller for you when the charges are increased. I really would NOT consider changing powder type until I have seen what the one you're using now is capable of! (Actually, 1.5" is really pretty good, despite what you may read!!)

The 168 grouped very well so I may stick with those and put the 180's on the shelf, though I've always hunted with 180's. I'm going to find some time to disassemble the bullets that I've put together, or at least half of them in the next couple of days.

Would you say that loading up 5 rounds of each experiment set will be enough trial?

If I were climbing from starting load towards max load would it be ok to make 2 grain jumps or should I stick with 1 grain?

Thanks

Tom

"Would you say that loading up 5 rounds of each experiment set will be enough trial?"

Five rounds at each powder charge level is plenty enough to let you see what the trend is. Each five-shot group will generally be tighter or looser as powder charges increase, allowing you to then select the best charge and load up perhaps ten more rounds that you can fire to confirm that accuracy hasindeed improved at the new load level.