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

[Vern400]

I might take 10 recipes to the bench. Or More.

How many shots do we shoot AFTER we fail?
Like a bad group is gonna improve?
Dont bang the ones you aren't gonna marry.
Pull bullets, dude.

Sample size only matters for the absolute best.
It's easy to tell if a group stinks

I use ONE match bullet, and ONE hunting bullet.
And I try to let the rifle pick the bullet. If your rifle hates secant ogives, dude. Get a hybrid.

Your "half moa" barrel life is pretty short.

 

[mtnbound]

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.

Typically, 23 -29 rounds get me what I want with a powder,

 

[Bluumoon]

Painless method ...
Pick bullet
Load 10 at 0.5 gr under max with chosen powder
Load to book COAL or 20 tho off
shoot 10
<1.5" for 10 rounds, load another 10, if still under 1.5" call it good, zero on that group
shoot at 200, 300, 450, 700 (10' target, if I miss check on water line target)

Full length size

If 10 shots not under 1.5", change powder or primer

Powder or primer change doesn't work- change bullet

If a second bullet that is known to shoot well sucks - ditch the barrel (if you have good scope and proper setup)

 

[schmidty3]

Im at 300 and haven't figured it out yet

Lol.



New barrel on. 25 creed 28". Quick pressure ladder ~15 shots. Picked a super safe load.

Loaded 100 and went to a prs. Barrel sped up about 15-20 fps through the match. ~2820 fps. Shot well for me, prs isnt my strong suit.

Did another load dev. Loaded up ~15 again. But this time looking to safely surpass NRL power factor. Loaded up to 44.1 grains of n555. Never saw a pressure sign. Looked back a half grain and the groups were fine. 43.6 it is. Shot the match at 2865 fps and did just fine. Placed decently with an 86% hit factor.

OK, now my virgin brass has its cherry popped let's lean on it.

Went up to 44.7 grains (half grain over book, i just wanted to see some pressure to know where im at!). No pressure signs noticed, but that just seems excessive and the shot was quite violent compared to lesser loads. 2970 fps! . Dirty barrel/chamber too.

43.9 shot well enough. 2910 fps is plenty. And it should give me some pressure room as it will be hot this weekend at the match.

Im an alpha brass virgin and allegedly it doesn't show pressure but we are new to each other. The worst mark ive seen is the slightest of a half moon ejector swipe, not even a full one. But I was getting nervous at 44.7.

Pictured is 44.3, 44.5, 44.7



And after this match I'll do it again with some sierra 131 as im almost out of 135s.

Moral of the story, I get close enough with a safe/reliable load and go shoot. I cant call wind better then a 1 moa gun can shoot.

 

[Sadie]

Sometimes less than 10. Sometimes never.