Trying to make reloading easier.

[Durable Gun]

Once you are settled on your “developed” load shoot 20 rounds at a single point of aim recording all chronograph results.

To compare, pick a random load somewhere in the middle of the published load data. Shoot 20 rounds at a single point of aim and record chronograph results.

Now do it again from field positions. This will tell you where the time and effort is worth spending.

You are saying you don't do this all the time yourself but you are trying to help me be more efficient with my time and components?

 

[207North]

You are saying you don't do this all the time yourself but you are trying to help me be more efficient with my time and components?

No. I am saying iI have done the whole chasing loads thing in the past and have found reloading with quality components the “nodes” do not exist.

Given a larger sample size, the difference in your loads will even out. What is more important is shooting from field positions and getting squared away there.

 

[Durable Gun]

Today's results with 7 PRC. 100m.

 

[Durable Gun]

Some 6.5 PRC also-

 

[Durable Gun]

Any comments or feedback appreciated

 

[8nbait]

This is an example.
I loaded same brass, same powder, same primer.
Loads are 41, 41.5, 42, 42.5, 43
Velocity was from 3000-3160 for both bullets but it clearly liked one bullet better than the other.
Won’t shoot the 108 elite hunter in this barrel…


It does like the 105 hybrid.

 

[Durable Gun]

This is an example.
I loaded same brass, same powder, same primer.
Loads are 41, 41.5, 42, 42.5, 43
Velocity was from 3000-3160 for both bullets but it clearly liked one bullet better than the other.
Won’t shoot the 108 elite hunter in this barrel…
View attachment 969655

It does like the 105 hybrid.
View attachment 969656

Nice group

 

[8nbait]

Just to be clear, those groups were 5 different charge weights ranging from 41.0-43.0 and velocity spread of 150 fps.
Makes it easy to see if I barrel likes a bullet.
Then just pick what speed you want and load 10

 

[Durable Gun]

7prc results

 

[Durable Gun]

So I found a load. I would like advice on a proper seating depth test for a chosen load to possibly shrink my group size. Would 5 shot increments suffice? Any advice on a good system? Thanks

 

[hickswr]

So I found a load. I would like advice on a proper seating depth test for a chosen load to possibly shrink my group size. Would 5 shot increments suffice? Any advice on a good system? Thanks

Go listen to the Hornady Podcast “your groups are too small” episode 50

Then listen to 52 and 121

You’ll learn about sample size and why 5 shot groups only tell you “how bad a load could potentially be”.

 

[wapitibob]

So I found a load. I would like advice on a proper seating depth test for a chosen load to possibly shrink my group size. Would 5 shot increments suffice? Any advice on a good system? Thanks

Glutton for punishment?

I load .020 off when I start and leave it. I find a load that shoots with powder change or I don't and move on.

 

[TaperPin]

So I found a load. I would like advice on a proper seating depth test for a chosen load to possibly shrink my group size. Would 5 shot increments suffice? Any advice on a good system? Thanks

I like 5 shot groups - I’d shoot them all at the same dot and it gives a better visual. If they all look like the same group there’s your answer. If two or three are tighter together that’s a good clue and it doesn’t need more shots than that. If only one load shoots better it’s probably a fluke and won’t repeat.

Painting the bullets with different magic marker colors will show on target without having to manually walk down and mark them. (Although cardboard is pretty dark, so it might not work great)

 

[207North]

Tell me which groups are “developed loads”, which ones are random loads, and which ones are just the last load from the last barrel. One of the photos includes sighting in a new scope so the first group is not a true group.

 

[207North]

Here is a picture of the headstamps on the brass from one of the above photos.

 

[Durable Gun]

pic 4 - developed
pic 3 - random loads
pic 2 - last loads from last barrel
pic 1 - not sure

 

[207North]

The only one with any sort of development was picture number 3. Nothing would shoot well in that barrel so a bunch of loads were tried. #1 was a .223 with 69smks and an suggested load of 24.5 rl15. Mixed brass. The other 2 are random loads that have been carried over from barrel to barrel.

Again at 100y with quality components you can get away with a ton without any sort of load development.

 

[Durable Gun]

The only one with any sort of development was picture number 3. Nothing would shoot well in that barrel so a bunch of loads were tried. #1 was a .223 with 69smks and an suggested load of 24.5 rl15. Mixed brass. The other 2 are random loads that have been carried over from barrel to barrel.

Again at 100y with quality components you can get away with a ton without any sort of load development.

Then I'm bloody lost again. Tell me what to do... again.

 

[207North]

Quit messing around adjusting powder charges by .2 grain, or seating depth by a few thousanths.

If you shoot a large enough sample, say a minimum of 20 rounds, your groups will start looking more similar to eachother. Only then can you start making decisions based on loads. 150 fps es can shoot great groups at 100.

Spend more time shooting and less time chasing loads.