drilling starting load...

[fffffg]

mr smith, you have solved complex problems for me years ago and i still have your lube and 800 grit lapping compound,, i am back looking for info on this gun,, thanks,,,im posting this in several sites hopeing ill run into someone who knows the ansers to this problem.. thanks...does 21 grains of 4198 sound right for a drilling starting load with 200 grain bullet,20-1 lead /tin,with gas check.... .360 bore, 8.7x72r.. nitro barrels, the case capacity is 60 grains black powder. and 10 grains of unique shoots ok in it.. maybe chrographing the unique load would tell me something?? the unique shoots 2-3 inches high at 105 yards, in about a 4 3/4 inch group with .361 bullets with 30-1 lead.. .. dave.

[Veral]

I  have no experiance with any drilling caliber or cartridge, but working up loads for all cartridges is the same.  I go into considerable detail on the subject in my book, and it's a bit complex to cover adaquately here, but one tip that works well for most cartridges is to use case filler, the best being shot buffer, which is available from Precision Reloading.  (Sorry I don't have there handle any more, but I'm sure they have a web site that's easily found.)  Use a powder that fills the case at least halfway with your start load and enough buffer to get compression.  Work the charge up till best accuracy or desired velocity is obtained.  With filler, slower powders can be burned cleanly, with lower pressures at a given velocity than with the fast pistol powders.