what's a good load.....?

[Old Cane]

Come on guys. It's one thing to ask for a load to try but who can say that a specific rifle will shoot any load in 2" at 100 yards? All are different, aren't they? Is it just me? I see posts all the time "I need an accurate load". Well sounds like you guys need a reloading manual. In theory all loads are accurate. In reality....well, let's just say I remember my wedding day. What's good for one rifle isn't always good or even safe for all rifles.

[Val]

Loads that perform well in one rifle, often will perform well in other rifles. Getting someone elses "good load" is often a good starting point (start lower and work up) or at least indicative of a potentially good powder for that caliber. I've had some excellent results by utilizing the most accurate powder tested from the Nosler reloading manual. I often end up with the same powder charge weight as called out in the Nosler manual. Sometimes you have a rifle that takes a lot of time and the trying of many powders to find that "good load", but I find this fairly rare.

[longwinters]

I think most of us, that reload, have multiple reloading manuals.  That typically is not the point IMHO.  The best load I ever got did  not come out of one of my reloading manuals.  It came out of a clue from a magazine article and was confirmed from guys on the internet. I would agree that most loads probably will shoot 2" groups but that is not what I am looking for.  Sure it is good enough for hunting at 100 yds but I want to do better with the rifles I own.

Long

[beemanbeme]

I will pretty much echo what Val said.  Taking a single starting point from a reloading page and working up to the max entails a lot of loads.  Then multiplying  that by all of the powders listed on the single page would be a daunting task. Also, the very number of different powders can be mind boggling so by asking around you can find a powder that keeps popping up and use it as a starting powder rather than buying several different kinds.

[Lawdog]

Old Cane,

As "Val" said anyone that gets a load given to them should be treated like one you get from a manual.  Just a starting point.  But many a time I have seen accurate loads in one rifle work as well or even better in another.  My favorite load for the .30-06 using 165 gr. bullets is one given to me by another reloader.  He got consistent 1.5" groups and in my rifle it groups under MOA.  Lawdog
 

[Redhawk1]

I have two 45-70's. Same load does not shoot the same in both guns. Each gun has a load the has better accuracy than in the other gun.

[oso45-70]

Redhawk1

Thats a perfect example. I have four 45-70s and they will all shoot the same load, But they sure won't shoot the same point of aim or even close.
I say any load out of the books is good to start with, It won't take long to figger out which one is going to get the job done. The best loads come from the seat of your pants and lots of shooting............Joe..........

[Old Cane]

Go back and read what I said. The "I need an accurate load" statement. These are followed by some common sense answers like "I get X fps and .5" groups out of my X model 24" barrel." That's a good answer. The ones I am talking about are people looking for a load. They have no manual and want a load that will shoot .5" out of their gun. Well, how would anyone know but them? This wasn't for you guys that can ask if anyone had good results with X powder or what kind of speed do you get with a X" barrel to decide if you want to try something different. This is for the guys that buy a gun, buy a press and some dies and want "a load". Granted anyone here can give them a safe starting load. That's not what I get tired of seeing. It's the guaranteed accuracy load I get tired of people asking about.

[longwinters]

I guess this is not the 1st time we have had a discussion on this topic.  I would agree with you Old Cane that people should do their own homework for their specific firearms.  Other people can give them what works in their particular guns but that is, at best,  only a good start not the end all answer.  I think that most people do get reloading manuals etc... but if they are new to reloading and have no one locally available to answer questions or cut down on the mountains of information thru their experiences then they are in for a long hard road.  And this is how I started a couple of years ago so I can relate.  If I can help someone I will.  If I think they are trying to reload without knowing the basics, that most of us learned thru reloading manuals, articles etc... then I would say something.  But I think those people are very few and far between.

Long

[Lawdog]

Old Cane,

Just because a hunter/shooter ask of "an accurate" load doesn't mean,

They have no manual and want a load that will shoot .5" out of their gun.

it just very well may mean they are looking to save a little time and load work.  Say an experienced reloader buys a new .30-06 and wants to shot 150 gr. bullets.  Now how many different loads are available for 150 gr. .30-06 in manuals?  Asking others for their "accurate" loads saves time and load work by giving one a starting point.  I do it any time I get a caliber I don't already own and will most likely do so again even though I own 2 shelves of manuals/printed loading data.  People asking for "accurate" loads PLEASE go ahead and do so.  I see nothing wrong with asking.  Lawdog
 

[beemanbeme]

I do see what Old Cane is saying.  And it doesn't just pertain to loads, you will often see questions asked that indicate that the asker hasn't even looked at a manual and certainly hasn't read the "how to" part.  When a fellow asks how long should he trim his 22-250 cases, its pretty obvious that he hasn't a reloading book at hand.

[Old Cane]

Not trying ot be obstinate. I do see everyones point. I'm just talking about particular instances where someone asks and someone answers and that's it. Never anything about "here's what I get in my rifle". I'm talking about the ones where someone says it will shoot X in your gun.

Here is a quote form another thread:

 "Try 55 grs. of IMR 4350 with any good 130 gr. bullet. I use the 130 Partition or the Hornady Interbond. Both shoot 3/4" @ 100 yds. If your hunting elk you probably will want to go to the 150 gr. bullet."

Now, if I was a beginner I would try it and if it didn't shoot 3/4 inch I would be very upset. It may do better, I understand, it may shoot the same. Or it may be all over the place. I'll stop now.

[jro45]

If I gave a load to someone I would be sure to tell them that this load worked in my gun and may not work in yours. So they wouldn't be so disappointed if it didn't work for them but if it did alls well. I know what your talking about Old Cane but people will be people.