Need help getting started reloading

N

NitwiT

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Hey guys,

Like the title says, I'm looking at getting into reloads. I'm planning on using other people's equipment for now, but I need help in picking a place to start with loads.

What I have found so far..

My tikka t3 varmint HB has a 1 in 11 " twist

It seems to prefer lighter grain bullets. 150 grain boattails make for a wicked group, and it throws 180 grain rounds high to the right.

I'm probably missing more info you guys need, but how do you guys go about choosing powders/primers/yaddayadda?

Mark
 
Take a look at this. http://www.nfa.ca/content/view/129/197/ It will give you an idea for optimum bullet wt. vs barrel twist. Basically the faster the twist, the heavier the bullet the barrel will stabilize.

Figure out what you want to load for. Target? Hunting? If hunting what kind of game? This will lead you toward the bullet that you want to use. An excellent target bullet will not necessarily be a good hunting bullet and vice versa.

How flat do you want to shoot. Do you want a max point blank range for hunting. Or are you happy at shorter distances? Dig into some ballistics charts and check out trajectories. This will also lead you toward the bullet you want.

Scrape up a couple of different loading manuals if you can. Specifically ones that feature the bullets you want to use, and find a powder or two that looks like it will give you the results you want. The load manuals will list the primers they used for their particular load.

Google will often times come up with numerous websites that have load data for the caliber you want. DON'T take the loads as gospel, but a lot of times you will find a trend or following for particular powders for the caliber you are interested in.

Start light and work towards max loads, watching for pressure signs and changes in accuracy along the way. You will hear it time and time again, every rifle is different in it's taste for bullets and powder. You have to find the one that's right for your particular rifle.

From what I saw the other day. Varget would be a good starting point in your rifle. Many people seem to use it and like it in the .308

Any luck finding Mr Bruin on the weekend?:eek::)
 
Buy as many reloading manuals as you can.
Always some good advice in them.

I have a couple on my nightstand.:p
 
and to your response Lee, is it fair to say that my rifle will either be zeroed for target, but not hunting, or is there a fine medium where I can get the accuracy I want, with a large enough bullet weight to take down say a moose..
 
That barrel with a 1:11 twist should be very accurate with 180 grain bullets, which would, of course, would be excellent for moose, if it was OK for target work.
You didn't say how far apart were the groups with the 180s from the 150 groups. The fact they are on a horizontal angle, as compared to a straight vertical difference, makes me suspicious of the rifle. Especially if there is more than about two inches difference in the groups.
If you load the same quality bullets, 180 and 150 grain, they each should shoot very close to equal size groups. If they don't, my advice would be to have the bedding checked on the rifle. And by checking the bedding, I do not mean to just see if it is free floating.
 
NitwiT said:
and to your response Lee, is it fair to say that my rifle will either be zeroed for target, but not hunting, or is there a fine medium where I can get the accuracy I want, with a large enough bullet weight to take down say a moose..
Click to expand...

No reason at all you shouldn't be able to find a bullet that gives fine accuracy and is also a good choice for game. For me, when reloading, application leads to bullet selection, and then I look for data for that bullet. Some bullets of the same weight can be used interchangeably over the same load. Some should not, due to different design, bearing surface etc. that may lead to higher pressures. Nothing saying you can't have a couple of different loads for different applications either.

Bullet design can play as big a part as bullet weight for selection on game as well. ie: bonded core, solids, ballistic tip etc.
 
ok lee, thanks for that input, ill have to grab some books :D

h4831, i've been shooting 168 grain winchester ballistic silvertips, that land about 2" high at 100 yards, grouped around 1", with 8 rounds

180 grain federal powershoks land 2.5" high, and 1.5" to the right, at 100 yards, 1/2" group, 3 rounds

180 grain winchester super-x (cheap) land 2.5-3" high, 2-3" right, 1.5 group, 3 rounds
 
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NitwiT said:
Lee, that site you listed, what happens when you fire a heavier bullet than the twists in your rifle are designed for?
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My understanding is that if the twist is too slow the heavier bullets do not stabilize. The result is a bullet that wobbles through the air, producing poor accuracy, and keyholing on impact.

Too fast a twist and the spin of the bullet accentuates any balance or concentricity (if that's a word) issues in the bullet, also creating unstable flight.

Again, to my understanding, if you are not shooting bullets that are a perfect match for the twist, the lesser of two evils is too a fast twist. If you are building a rifle, pick a twist that is capable of shooting the heaviest bullet you plan to use.
 
Well - I think you're overly concerned about twist. There are other factors that affect accuracy, that govern in your case. Barrel harmonics are the principal determinant of accuracy - this is most affected bullet weight.
Your best groups so far are with 180 grainers, so focusing on that bullet weight would be a good place to start. Bear in mind that group size is more important than location on the target. When you get your preferred load, you can adjust your scope to bring the group to where you want. No need to adjust the scope before that, unless you are off the paper.
 
cosmic said:
Well - I think you're overly concerned about twist. There are other factors that affect accuracy, that govern in your case. Barrel harmonics are the principal determinant of accuracy - this is most affected bullet weight.
Your best groups so far are with 180 grainers, so focusing on that bullet weight would be a good place to start. Bear in mind that group size is more important than location on the target. When you get your preferred load, you can adjust your scope to bring the group to where you want. No need to adjust the scope before that, unless you are off the paper.
Click to expand...

Agreed, most commonly shot bullets out of the .308 would be from 150 to 180 grains. All compatible with the your particular rifle. Play with a couple of loads, find one your rifle likes and then fine adjust your scope to match.
 
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