Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

The reloading manuals always indicate the most accurate load tested. Do you more experienced folks find this to be the case?

Do you ever find a trend that the particular powder will be the most accruate powder tested across different reloading manuals?

Thanks

Tom

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

Personally, I have found that what the manual calls the "accuracy" load very rarely plays out that well for me. Usually totally different.
As far as powder goes, IMR 4350 has given me great results in quite a few guns. Some it was supposed to, and some that it was not.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

I have been to two underground testing ranges in my life. One of them was at the Hornady factory. These two factories used barreled actions in vises for their shooting. So basically they were shooting a particular rifle. When they indicate the most accurate load-they are indicating which load is most accurate in their particular rifle. And as you know each rifle is different.

They may be testing their bullets differently now. It has been over 15 years since I have been there. But that is how they used to do it. It could be different now. Tom.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

You know, I have starred at nosler and lymans books before and wondered where they got this most accurate. I never see thier results. I am beginning to think they made this up.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

Only a fool doesn't work up in some form or fashion.

There's no substitute for rounds down range...

A load manual is a good general consenous, beyond that, it takes trigger time..........

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

I have found that the accuracy loads "sometimes" work for me. Most times, it is not acceptable. What works in their equipment is total disaster in mine. Nothing beats trying different components and a lot of bench time to find the sweet spot with your prefered toys.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

This from the person who so fervently extolled the virtues of what did you call it..... OCW

Accuracy loads are not always tested by shooting a loaded cartridge downrange, many are shot in a pressure barrel and the load listed produced the most consistant pressures. Take it with a grain of salt, I have had accuracy loads from both Nosler and Sierra that have produced excellent accuracy and others that have not faired so well. I ideally try to go for a load density greater that 80% but that does not always produce the best groups. I decide on bullet then start with the bullet manufacturers data unless I can't get acceptable accuracy then I go to the powder manufacturers data. That being said I also like to use the Lyman manual as an unbias data source for reference.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

statjunk - For what its worth, here is my method of picking a load for a new cartridge.
First I review several different manuals and compare their 'most accurate' load. I look at posted velocities and amount of powder used. I like to choose a powder that give me good velocity and fills the case to just below the neck at maximum charge. (I don't start loading at max. - this is just for reference.)
I then load 10 rounds starting at 10% below max and work up in increments depending on the max charge. This could be 1/2, 1, or 2 gr increments.
If the first powder does not produce acceptable accuracy I move on to the next selection. Sometimes I found that it isn't the powder at all but the bullet. My Browning 7-08 totally despises Hornady SST bullets yet loves the old Interlock ones in the same 139 gr wt.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

It's obvious, from your comment, that:1.) you don't know what the OCW principlesmean, and, 2.) you don't know the meaning of the OCW principles.....

OCW stands forOptimal Charge Weight. It is a load work up system that tunes your load in a quicker and more efficient manner than what is accepted by the masses asthe norm. OCWload principles staywithin the confines of published load data with regard to minimum and maximum charges.Optimal does not mean Maximum. OCW load principlesdo not address the whims of speed junkies, it often times finds a powder charge that is below anything maximum. OCW load principles address the mechanical and physical properties of that particular rifle barrel with regard to how barrel harmonics affect that particular barrel.

A large factor in successful OCW load work up is an informed choosing of powder and bullet to yield a workable load density and accurate flight of a bullet with adecent BC. As a side benifit of doing things this way the load will likely be extremelytolerant of Pressure Variences....somethingheld in high regard by the fans of "extreme powders".

In my opinion it works betterand more economically that the standard "add a half grain and see what it'll do" mantra........

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

Many of the manual are referring to the deviation in velocity not actually accuracy. They will highlight loads have the tightest velocity spread as having best accuracy potential.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

Well I'm going reload some 300 WM with RL 22 today I will report back on the accuracy.

Thanks for all the replys

Tom

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

This is exactly what Bill Hober from Swift told me on the phone.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

I don't know about "the most accurate load" in other manuals, but Lyman made this decision based on which load gave the lowest standarddeviation in velocity as measured by their chronograph. This is very misleading, because the MOST ACCURATE LOAD IN A GIVEN GUN WILL OFTENBE ONE IN WHICH THE STANDARD DEVIATION IN MV IS FAR FROM BEING THE LOWEST! IMO, "the most accurate load should be the one that shoots the smallest groups.

In addition, what shot best in the gun used by the load developer might not do the same (probably won't!!) in YOUR RIFLE. However, this load might prove to be a good starting point for you to use to develop your own "most accurate load". Your best load may be above or below the one in the book.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

Usually when I start working on a new load thats where I start at is " The most accurate load tested" just because it is a starting point.

RE: Most Accurate Load - How much credibility
 

Thenewest reloading manual that I have is dated 1973. Personally I do not put much stock in the concept of accuracy when the "most accurate" load is one that is shot from a machine rest or from a pressure gun.

Over the past few yearsI have tried a few of the so called "most accurate" loads and none worked out for me in my guns. Most of my favorite loads were worked up decades ago without the benefit of suggestions from reloading manuals. All of those loads are very accurate when fired from my guns.Those loads are now in a database. Some of the calibers I no longer have guns for.