How long does the process of finding a load take you?

[Corey75]

When you guys are developing a new load for a new rifle or set up. How many rounds does it take you roughly to find the optimal load? And what is everyone’s go to process? Ladder, ocw? Etc…. I ask because I completely shot out my 7prc factory barrel while I learned the ins and outs of reloading and load development. Enjoyed every second of the process, but towards the end of my barrels life I realized I was chasing 1/2 inch 100yard groups from a barrel that would never be capable of it.

 

[Timberline001]

10 if the first load works 20 at most then I’m putting on a new barrel.

I load up 10 a little below the max load and go shoot it. If it doesn’t group well I’m trying a different powder and bullet combo. If it still isn’t shooting well then it’s not worth my time and money.

 

[Grizzle]

If you haven't read the "painless load development" thread, search it and see if it helps. It simplified things quite a bit for me. With good components it's usually pretty easy to get more than good enough precision if you're realistic with your needs/ expectations.

 

[43.6N]

Many of us have found a lot of success from the “painless load development” thread. Highly recommend.

The basic idea is to find a workable load, and then move on to things that actually matter. Like shooting in the wind, and positional stability.
1. Research what others have found success with.
2. Pick a quality powder and bullet.
3. Load near 90% of max charge.
3b. If you want to find “pressure” a brief charge ladder can tell you where the limits of your barrel are. Then back off by a half to a whole grain.
4. Shoot 10 shots. If they group well enough, then time to zero, and start using the load. If they don’t group well, make a major change in components before retesting.

 

[Yaremkiv]

Many of us have found a lot of success from the “painless load development” thread. Highly recommend.

The basic idea is to find a workable load, and then move on to things that actually matter. Like shooting in the wind, and positional stability.
1. Research what others have found success with.
2. Pick a quality powder and bullet.
3. Load near 90% of max charge.
3b. If you want to find “pressure” a brief charge ladder can tell you where the limits of your barrel are. Then back off by a half to a whole grain.
4. Shoot 10 shots. If they group well enough, then time to zero, and start using the load. If they don’t group well, make a major change in components before retesting.

This is what I will be doing from now on because I'm almost convinced that load development is mostly BS. I'm beginning to believe that the handloading process itself is so important that if done properly, will outweigh a wrong "node" selection or powder/primer combo.

 

[Timberline001]

This is what I will be doing from now on because I'm almost convinced that load development is mostly BS. I'm beginning to believe that the handloading process itself is so important that if done properly, will outweigh a wrong "node" selection or powder/primer combo.

Absolutely. The chasing of nodes and distance from the lands is completely pointless once you shoot a large group.

 

[TreeDog]

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/painless-load-development-mine.238400/

This makes the process so much more simple and enjoyable. Less time at the reloading bench and more actually shooting.

 

[Corey75]

Many of us have found a lot of success from the “painless load development” thread. Highly recommend.

The basic idea is to find a workable load, and then move on to things that actually matter. Like shooting in the wind, and positional stability.
1. Research what others have found success with.
2. Pick a quality powder and bullet.
3. Load near 90% of max charge.
3b. If you want to find “pressure” a brief charge ladder can tell you where the limits of your barrel are. Then back off by a half to a whole grain.
4. Shoot 10 shots. If they group well enough, then time to zero, and start using the load. If they don’t group well, make a major change in components before retesting.

Explained perfectly for the dumb*** asking the question. Thanks tons man

 

[Corey75]

If you haven't read the "painless load development" thread, search it and see if it helps. It simplified things quite a bit for me. With good components it's usually pretty easy to get more than good enough precision if you're realistic with your needs/ expectations.

Thanks man! I think being realistic was the problem. I got to a point where I was getting 3/4 inch 100 yard groups or better with my b14 7mm prc. But I was thinking that I could squeeze 1/2 inch or better out of a 900 dollar hunting rifle. Which is ridiculous haha.

 

[43.6N]

Explained perfectly for the dumb*** asking the question. Thanks tons man

lol I try.
Good luck man

 

[riversidejeep]

If you load test as I do for my 300SAUM it never happens, I'm just to stubborn it screw another barrel on.

 

[Harvey_NW]

10 if the first load works 20 at most then I’m putting on a new barrel.

I load up 10 a little below the max load and go shoot it. If it doesn’t group well I’m trying a different powder and bullet combo. If it still isn’t shooting well then it’s not worth my time and money.

Oh come on moneybags, you at least gotta give it 50 before you tomato stake it!

 

[hibernation]

Many of us have found a lot of success from the “painless load development” thread. Highly recommend.

The basic idea is to find a workable load, and then move on to things that actually matter. Like shooting in the wind, and positional stability.
1. Research what others have found success with.
2. Pick a quality powder and bullet.
3. Load near 90% of max charge.
3b. If you want to find “pressure” a brief charge ladder can tell you where the limits of your barrel are. Then back off by a half to a whole grain.
4. Shoot 10 shots. If they group well enough, then time to zero, and start using the load. If they don’t group well, make a major change in components before retesting.

Are you using a chrono? If not, how often do you get past these steps, shoot another 10 at distance, and find it's not hitting the velocity you want?

 

[parshal]

I never read the Painless Load Development thread but that's exactly how I do it. I'll take a known good load (usually one i've used) and shoot three shots with bullets seated to mag length. I'll look at velocity and make sure it's in the expected range. If not, I go up or down .2-.3 until I see the velocity range I know shoots. I'll then seat deeper in .010-.015" until I see a change in group size. Then, I'll just pick what shot best of all that and roll with it. Rarely do I find I need to change much.

 

[43.6N]

Are you using a chrono? If not, how often do you get past these steps, shoot another 10 at distance, and find it's not hitting the velocity you want?

I’m chronographing most of my shots when prone, or from a barricade where leaving the chronograph set up is easy.

But the purpose isn’t to keep loading until I hit a velocity goal, it’s to be aware of where the velocity ends up. I’m loading with powders that give good case fill, and are at the top end of generally accepted pressures. So the velocity is what it is going to be.

Case in point: my NRL 6.5 creed load this last year was 153 Berger at 2570fps.
That was with 40gr H4350.
I called Berger and had them send me their load data. I then ran a quick pressure ladder, and got an idea for what my barrel could do. Bolt lift was sticky on a hot day with 41gr. So I dropped to 40 and put 10 shots together:

It made power factor, so that’s what I ran with.
If it had come in too slow, I would have looked at a different combo to meet that specific goal. I would not have tried to run a competition loading on the edge of pressure.

 

[Grizzle]

Thanks man! I think being realistic was the problem. I got to a point where I was getting 3/4 inch 100 yard groups or better with my b14 7mm prc. But I was thinking that I could squeeze 1/2 inch or better out of a 900 dollar hunting rifle. Which is ridiculous haha.

I was in the same boat for a long time. Looking into hit % and what really matters helped me get past that. The wez calculator examples that Form did on the Shoot2hunt podcast FF 04 was the final nail in the coffin. With my level of shooting when I miss its not because my load isn't precise enough, I'd love to have that problem haha

 

[Timberline001]

Oh come on moneybags, you at least gotta give it 50 before you tomato stake it!

You know me, always ready to start again lol