working up a load

[jwelch]

What is the best way to safely work up a load to find the maxload for your gun for a particular grain bullet? Thanks 

[Val]

It takes several sessions to work up a load. I usually start near the minimum powder charge and work up in .5 grain increments. I usually load 6 to 9 rounds in each powder charge in order to have at least two or three, 3 shot groups. I focus on three shot groups because I work up hunting loads. Typically I'll load up two or three likely powders and head to the range. I clean my bore about every 20 or so shots and always clean my bore before switching to a load with a different powder. Be sure and let the barrel to cool before every shot ( hold the barrel in your hand comfortably). I start at the lowest powder charge and work up. I then determine the powder charge that gives me the best group in each powder and head for home.

I reload for the powder charge that gave me the best group with at least nine rounds at .2 grains below, at the same powder weight and .2 grains above. I then head for the range again. I take the powder charge that gave me the best result and load some more of that charge and some .1 grain below and .1 grain above. I go back to the range for load verification. At this point the best groups charge becomes my load or If I want to tighten the groups even more I start playing with the bullet seating depth. All my previous loads were at the reloading manual recommended Overall Cartridge Length (OAL). I then reload with the proven charge and start increasing the OAL in 10 thousandths increment and head back to the range and determine the best OAL for my particular rifle.

This procedure has resulted in some pretty tight patterns for all my hunting rifles. Typically .75" three shot groups or better.

[fastbike]

Just curious, 3/4 inch at what range? Sounds like more than enough accuracy for a hunting load. Do you find the OAL to vary much from load to load for a given gun?

It takes several sessions to work up a load. I usually start near the minimum powder charge and work up in .5 grain increments. I usually load 6 to 9 rounds in each powder charge in order to have at least two or three, 3 shot groups. I focus on three shot groups because I work up hunting loads. Typically I'll load up two or three likely powders and head to the range. I clean my bore about every 20 or so shots and always clean my bore before switching to a load with a different powder. Be sure and let the barrel to cool before every shot ( hold the barrel in your hand comfortably). I start at the lowest powder charge and work up. I then determine the powder charge that gives me the best group in each powder and head for home.

I reload for the powder charge that gave me the best group with at least nine rounds at .2 grains below, at the same powder weight and .2 grains above. I then head for the range again. I take the powder charge that gave me the best result and load some more of that charge and some .1 grain below and .1 grain above. I go back to the range for load verification. At this point the best groups charge becomes my load or If I want to tighten the groups even more I start playing with the bullet seating depth. All my previous loads were at the reloading manual recommended Overall Cartridge Length (OAL). I then reload with the proven charge and start increasing the OAL in 10 thousandths increment and head back to the range and determine the best OAL for my particular rifle.

This procedure has resulted in some pretty tight patterns for all my hunting rifles. Typically .75" three shot groups or better.

[Grumulkin]

I also start at the lower end of recommended powder charges and compare recommended loads in several manuals.  For cases the size of a 308 Win. and larger, I work up in 1 grain increments until I get to the upper ranges and then cut back to 1/2 grain increments.  For smaller cases I would, of course, increase charges in smaller increments.