newbie ?? for the reloading experts

[brushape]

so ive begun my journey into the world of reloading today, My first set of loads is a ladder of 185 classic hunters with imr4350 powder in 30-06. Berger list a coal of 3.340 but in my rifle i am hitting the lands at 3.240. I seated the bullets back to 3.225 as I hear the hybrid design likes a .o15 jump. does this all sound right? I am worried about excessive pressure seating the bullet so far back from there suggestion. they listed a minimum as 47.5 so I loaded 5 at that to sight in and then loaded one each at .5 grain increments up to .5 over the listed max to shoot at 200 yrds I will stop at any signs off pressure

 

[COR]

In my opinion the overall length is fine. The use of Berger bullets and what they like in term of "jump" is over me head. I'm gonna ask you to clarify if you only did one round per .5 gr increments? If that is the case you'll need to pull a few more handles to establish a group. However one shot groups are always moa...

I think I just misunderstood most likely...unless you are testing pressure I guess...they'll all show signs of pressure after being fired.

 

[brushape]

ya just one round of each, i was planning on using the ocw ladder test to get a starting point and then work on groups from there. Ill have the entire reloading setup at the same place as I shoot

 

[brushape]

like this
http://www.6mmbr.com/laddertest.html

 

[ST52v]

Looks like your on the right track! Let them rip and let us know how it went.

 

[brushape]

Looks like your on the right track! Let them rip and let us know how it went.

Thanks, I got another set loaded with rl-17 I'm looking forward to lighting them off and seeing what they can do

 

[ST52v]

Missed it on the first post. Most people start just kissing the lands when they run the ladder and stop when they hit pressure. Make sure you get velocities as you test. Pressure will decrease as you back of the lands.

 

[brushape]

so after getting the seating die adjusted perfectly for the first bullet to sit .015 off the lands I ran them all through at that length but measuring with my calipers show that the coal varies quite a bit .002-.011" difference. is this length irrellevant as the die is not seating them from the tip anyways?

I would love to get the velocities, I just dont think I will be able to swing the purchase of a chrono anytime soon as im getting major shit for buying what I have lately for reloading already

 

[mtswampfox]

a gauge that measures from the ogive is a thought. they are cheap and can be found at most suppliers. looks like a hex nut with all the various calibers on each flat. tips will vary. the imr 4350 is my favorite for the 30 cals, simply because i bought an eight pounder several years ago.

 

[brushape]

thanks Ill look at that, just tinkering around measuring and the bergers vary in length by up to .o15 while the sgks are all within .003 of each other.

 

[mtswampfox]

http://www.sinclairintl.com/search/index.htm?k=comparator&ksubmit=y

 

[MtnManZ]

Shoot at a distance further than 200 yards or it will be hard to find the ocw. If you cant find a range or anywhere else to shoot up to 500 yards, forgo the ladder test and do another ocw test.

 

[MtnManZ]

Actually...forget the ladder test. Google Dan Newberry's OCW load development system. 2 pluses to this are you do this at 100 yards and it eliminates variables that the ladder test is susceptible to.

 

[IAHNTR]

Just one note. Lots of folks shoot more than 0.5 gr over the listed book max. More like a few grains over book. So, you might want to load higher so you are sure to find max. Can always pull the bullets and reuse if you load to stiff. Yeah, the bullets vary from the ogive to the tip. I did the same thing till I figured out to use a comparator.

 

[16Bore]

Kiss the lands and increase powder increments until you find pressure. If accuracy is there, you're done. If not start working OAL shorter. Don't start in the middle and work sideways. You wanna remove variables, not add them.

 

[16Bore]

Get a comparator and measure off the ogive, not tip. Hornady job works fine. Don't need the "kit" just the piece that clamps on the calipers with the correct insert.

 

[brushape]

Got 3 rounds loaded per .5 increment from 3 grains below max to 1 over all .010 off the lands gonna shoot them mid week in a round robin sequence instead of the ladder

 

[MtnManZ]

I agree with 16bore on touching the lands. But, if you have a magazine fed rifle, you wont have that option. Also, you've already loaded your rounds...so too late When doing your test, take something to help cool your barrel down when it gets hot...or you'll be waiting a long time. The whole ocw round robin process takes time...so dont rush things...take a couple range trips if needed. Have fun and good luck.

 

[brushape]

Ya I'll just be shooting them off the porch at my ranch so I'll have time,

 

[mtswampfox]

Always did the stony ridge oal gauge on a new barrel and kept the bullet to redo the test after every 5k rounds to see how long the throat would last . Was always eye opening how fast a throat would open up . This was on pd rifles where 3or4 hundred a day was common.