Author Topic: reload shooting for development (Read 347 times)

camsdaddy · « **on:** November 10, 2005, 01:35:08 AM »

Well the other day I had a friend introduce me to reloading he sat me down and gave me a crash course and a book to read later and let me load 3 different loads for my 243. I am almost so proud of them I dont want to shoot them I was like a kid with a trophy going home to show the wife. My question is I have 3 different powder wts I want to shoot to see which is the most accurate. How should I go about this I dont know if I should clean the rifle shoot 2 groups of 3 of one clean rifle and then shoot 2 groups of another. Or should I shoot one of each load into its on target and get an average and just clean when done. Also at what range do you use for development.

HL · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2005, 01:39:31 AM »

Go ahead and clean the barrel first. When you get to the range, use some of your other factory loads to fould the barrel, 2-3 rounds and then start testing the three different loads. YOu should not have to clean inbetween loads for just those 15 rounds.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2005, 01:43:58 AM »

You could do 1 group of 3 then clean then do the next powder. There are many other factors that affect accuracy. Bullet COL being one of the more important factors along with headspace. You should get a set of Ogive and Headspace gauges and you will need a good digital caliper to do the measurements. Stoney Point is good for this. To extend case life you do not want to overly resize the shoulder. COL should be 0.01-0.03 from the lands or rifling.

Now you are going to have to become a scientist!

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2005, 02:24:55 AM »

I kinda sorta disagree with HL and Pa Joe. My personal opinion is that you need to use the same pattern in testing that will be used for the load being developed, ie. for deer hunting, clean barrel, fouled with one or two shots, cooled completely and fire three shots and repeat, varmit rifle: fire at the same rate you'd fire on an expected great day or if its a target rifle the rate of fire while shooting the course. I guess I could have made it simpler merely by stating that "I think test firing for load development should be done by simulating conditions of use as closely as possible."

ajj · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2005, 02:32:57 AM »

Just a personal opinion based on what I gather you're trying to do: Shoot at 100 yards after you've got the rifle sighted in for that distance. The accuracy should not be substantially degraded by firing 20-25 rounds but some rifles definitely need a few shots to settle in after cleaning so I think you'll be more likely to get good feedback without too much cleaning.
Three shot groups are useful in load development primarily to weed out bad loads. A terrible load can put any three in one hole just by chance ("Sometimes the flyer goes into the group") but a load which sprays three shots in a huge group is just not going to come around.
Pick a bullet weight and design based on what you intend to do with the load. Deer want one bullet, varmints another, paper punching a third. Then, work with that one bullet, changing powder charges and seating depths. If it just won't group, pick another bullet of the same weight-style.
Change only one variable at a time. Work on your bench technique every shot. Shoot safely and often. Have fun.

camsdaddy · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2005, 03:03:48 AM »

Man thanks for all the quick replies. I am loading 243 with 85gr bthp using varget I am trying these 3 and then I may try a different powder if these dont settle well. I am sorta leary about the cleaning thing. I dont know the barrel well enough to know what it prefers (clean vs dirty) its an ultra handi with the bull barrel I am wondering if I should shoot 3 maybe a min apart and then let cool for the next round. also do I shoot all three of one load or one of each 3 times to even out barrel cleanliness and heat range.

George Foster · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2005, 04:50:51 AM »

camsdaddy,

How I test my loads is as others have stated above. I normally load six different powders charges starting 2-1/2grs under max and going up to max. I do this with each powder and bullet combination I want to test. I shoot two foulers with the lightest charge and then shoot a three shot group with each charge from lightest to heaviest. I wait one to two minutes between shots depending on how warm the day is. I will then wait five to ten minutes between groups depending on the temperature. I like to clean my rifles after every 20 rounds.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2005, 05:29:12 PM »

Heres how I would do it:

1. Clean the barrel, then shoot half a dozen factory rounds to foul the barrel. Shoot slowly, no more than 3 rounds at a time, to keep the barrel cool.

2. When you are ready to shoot the development loads make sure the barrel is completely cool before starting.

3. Shoot one group of 3 using the lowest powder charge, then let the barrel cool. This is a good time to mark your target.

4. Shoot 3 rounds of the next higher powder weight, then let the barrel cool. Mark your target again.

5. Shoot 3 round of the highest powder charge, then let the barrel cool. Mark your target again.

6. Start over again at step 3 with a fresh target and shoot the remaining rounds.

For the .243 I would shoot at 100 yards with the scope cranked up to its highest power. I would also make sure I had a good steady rest - you want to test the ammo and to the extent possible, eliminate other variables.

Last weekend I drove 35 minutes to the range to test some loads. When I got there I decided it was too windy even in the sheltered 100-yard ranges so I turned around and drove home again. If the wind is kicking up you are pretty much wasting your tme shooting for groups.