This thread is in the context of people developing loads for precision work, be it varmints or match shooting. The 270 win deer rifle is something else all together different.
The reality is, there isn't much in the way of shortcuts in load testing. I wish there was, but I haven't seen any worth noting.The proof is in the pudding (target) so to speak. There is no black magic. This is what works for me and others I shoot with.
1. Pick a proven bullet. Use what works for the shooters around you. If you want to see average groups in the .5 moa range or less, you have to use the best bullet you can find for your application. This rules out anything like bulk fmj or soft point bullets. At a minimum, Sierra, Berger, Lapua are good places to start, custom bullets if you can get them. Load it in or off the rifling, not just barely touching. Probably off the rifling if you expect to have to extract a live round.
2. Quality well prepped brass is a must. If you can't shoot Lapua, then you will have to use heavily culled and prepped brass.
3. Shoot over at least 1 wind flag at about 20 yds, or a ribbon on a stick (cuts 25%-50% of your group size for a few bucks). Only shoot when the flag is pointing the same direction. This will absolutely cut group size. Yes it looks silly, but once you start pounding them in the same hole it will be worth it. Forget any notion of wind bucking, all bullets get moved by wind, even at 100 yds. Load development without flags is almost worthless.
4. Pick a proven powder for the cartridge (don't re-invent the wheel here) and then shoot a few 5 shot groups.
5. Take note of the shape of the groups. If you get a lot of 5 shot groups that are in the shape of 2+3 then consider the wind, you are likely shooting in 2 different conditions. If you get a lot of 4+1 (vertically) then look at gun handling or changing the seating depth. If you get a caterpillar shaped group (horizontal) then it is for sure wind, if it is more vertical, then adjust the powder charge.
6. Be honest with yourself. Keep records. If the rifle only averages .75 moa, but you have 1 lucky group at .25 moa, you do not have a .25 moa rifle. Making excuses such as: "when I do my part" will not help you while looking for the perfect load. Not recognizing the rifles true ability can lead you down a path of endless load development.
7. Accept that for the most part infinite tweaking of loads or bullets or primers does very little past a certain point. Speaking for BR shooters, you know if you have a winner in 75-100 rds of load development. Other disciplines will differ. If you are firing in excess of 200-300 rds in load development, I can assure you the rifle is already at the performance limit.
8. If you want to start tracking things like ES and SD great, but that won't replace what the target says.
9. Load concentric ammo. Wobbly ammo does not shoot straight. Use whatever dies you need to buy to sort this out. You are looking for .001" - .002" of runout on a loaded round, measured on the neck and on the bullet. Less runout is better.
For what it is worth.
Rick
The reality is, there isn't much in the way of shortcuts in load testing. I wish there was, but I haven't seen any worth noting.The proof is in the pudding (target) so to speak. There is no black magic. This is what works for me and others I shoot with.
1. Pick a proven bullet. Use what works for the shooters around you. If you want to see average groups in the .5 moa range or less, you have to use the best bullet you can find for your application. This rules out anything like bulk fmj or soft point bullets. At a minimum, Sierra, Berger, Lapua are good places to start, custom bullets if you can get them. Load it in or off the rifling, not just barely touching. Probably off the rifling if you expect to have to extract a live round.
2. Quality well prepped brass is a must. If you can't shoot Lapua, then you will have to use heavily culled and prepped brass.
3. Shoot over at least 1 wind flag at about 20 yds, or a ribbon on a stick (cuts 25%-50% of your group size for a few bucks). Only shoot when the flag is pointing the same direction. This will absolutely cut group size. Yes it looks silly, but once you start pounding them in the same hole it will be worth it. Forget any notion of wind bucking, all bullets get moved by wind, even at 100 yds. Load development without flags is almost worthless.
4. Pick a proven powder for the cartridge (don't re-invent the wheel here) and then shoot a few 5 shot groups.
5. Take note of the shape of the groups. If you get a lot of 5 shot groups that are in the shape of 2+3 then consider the wind, you are likely shooting in 2 different conditions. If you get a lot of 4+1 (vertically) then look at gun handling or changing the seating depth. If you get a caterpillar shaped group (horizontal) then it is for sure wind, if it is more vertical, then adjust the powder charge.
6. Be honest with yourself. Keep records. If the rifle only averages .75 moa, but you have 1 lucky group at .25 moa, you do not have a .25 moa rifle. Making excuses such as: "when I do my part" will not help you while looking for the perfect load. Not recognizing the rifles true ability can lead you down a path of endless load development.
7. Accept that for the most part infinite tweaking of loads or bullets or primers does very little past a certain point. Speaking for BR shooters, you know if you have a winner in 75-100 rds of load development. Other disciplines will differ. If you are firing in excess of 200-300 rds in load development, I can assure you the rifle is already at the performance limit.
8. If you want to start tracking things like ES and SD great, but that won't replace what the target says.
9. Load concentric ammo. Wobbly ammo does not shoot straight. Use whatever dies you need to buy to sort this out. You are looking for .001" - .002" of runout on a loaded round, measured on the neck and on the bullet. Less runout is better.
For what it is worth.
Rick
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