When I do load developpement (which is a very big word for what I am usually doing), I load five rounds of a specific weight (say 30 grains), and repeat for two or three ups and downs, (so 28-29-30-31-32). I pick the most accurate load, then repeat around the best (so if it was 31 in my example, I'll go five of 30.5-30.8-31-31.3-31.5). Is this efficient? Seems like a bit of a waste of time and components. How do you do it? Is one grain too large? Too narrow?
How wide is the accuracy window?
- Thread starter Slowbalt
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Up to you, I guess? I recently started for a 7mm Weatherby Mag - so two rounds, each weight, by 1/2 grain, from Start load to 1/2 grain past Max load in Nosler 9 manual. Evidence to me said their accuracy load was probably "it", so when I go back, will be probably 3 rounds each within .25 grains of that. Ultimate "proof", for me, will be a couple (2 x) 5 round groups. Sighting in the scope at the same time. So, forty-ish rounds all told?? Completely new-to me rifle, chambering and scope. Box of 50 bullets leaves me 10 or so to go hunting with, and unopened second box.
Is a bit "goofy" for hunting - I should really only care about that first cold, clean barrel shot - is more of a scope sighting in thing. Nice to know where the second or third round will go - but not the same as shooting "groups" - want to kill the damn thing - hopefully land that first shot correctly. Different game if out to ring gongs or make holes in targets, I think?
What I learned from that - rifle was a Weatherby Mark V - nothing that I could tell in several last increments that I went past the Nosler pressure tested Maximum - all appear the same to me - I was NOT using a chronograph - at this initial point, not sure that I care what the actual velocity is. About three rounds in, discovered that a factory new Weatherby case, would not chamber into a Weatherby chamber - all the other 19 did - still do not know why that is. Alliant RL -25 seem to feel "right" - but I was using Weatherby brand, not Nosler brass, and Fed 215, not Remington primers, so was being different than the Nosler 9 manual - hence the "pressure series" ... Note especially that this is what occurred with these loads in this rifle - no good reason to think that similar occurs with yours?? I was using up some previously pulled 7mm 160 grain Partitions in the early stages of the pressure series - seems to be a good use for them?
Is a bit "goofy" for hunting - I should really only care about that first cold, clean barrel shot - is more of a scope sighting in thing. Nice to know where the second or third round will go - but not the same as shooting "groups" - want to kill the damn thing - hopefully land that first shot correctly. Different game if out to ring gongs or make holes in targets, I think?
What I learned from that - rifle was a Weatherby Mark V - nothing that I could tell in several last increments that I went past the Nosler pressure tested Maximum - all appear the same to me - I was NOT using a chronograph - at this initial point, not sure that I care what the actual velocity is. About three rounds in, discovered that a factory new Weatherby case, would not chamber into a Weatherby chamber - all the other 19 did - still do not know why that is. Alliant RL -25 seem to feel "right" - but I was using Weatherby brand, not Nosler brass, and Fed 215, not Remington primers, so was being different than the Nosler 9 manual - hence the "pressure series" ... Note especially that this is what occurred with these loads in this rifle - no good reason to think that similar occurs with yours?? I was using up some previously pulled 7mm 160 grain Partitions in the early stages of the pressure series - seems to be a good use for them?
Last edited:
Good place to start is load as far out as your magazine will allow, or in some cases as deep as your throat will allow appx .005 off the leade.
Some rifles like more freebore. Most like to be closer.
Start with a mid range load from your manual and work up in one grain increments. This depends on the cartridge you're loading for. 223rem loads may need finer increments than a 308win.
The 223rem will actually notice a tenth of a grain difference between charges. With the 308win it's mostly in the mind of the handloader. Match rifles with very tight tolerances will sometimes notice a tenth of a grain difference.
If you're loading larger cartridges start at mid range and add up to five grains between the start load and the next load. Magnums usually like to be loaded at or close t maximum to find a sweet spot.
Now, if your experimenting with NON CANNISTER GRADE POWDER, use the starting load as a starting point. Some even like to start with less. I haven't noticed that it helps, but whatever makes you feel better.
Before you even start, you need to assess what sort of accuracy your rifle is capable of or can usually expect.
Many off the shelf rifles can be loaded to shoot moa or better, most can't.
