trying different loads...

sharp shooter

sharp shooter

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Essex county (Ontario)
Well guys, I'm not really a sharp shhoter but I would like to be. My brother and I are getting into reloading this Christmas and want to do some paper punching and make some nice hunting loads for our hunting rifles. When trying different loads at the range, what is the proper procedure in regads to giving each load a fair chance? Just want to know things like cleaning the barrel and stuff like that. I know to let the gun cool but other than that what else can help out. We have a good shooting bench and all that stuff.

Steve
 
I load up different loads of the same bullet and just shoot some 5 round groups at 2-300m and see which shoots the best. Once I find the zone or "node" that is grouping well, I narrow my loading to around that range to find the most exact spot that works the best.If you want to get real finicky then you could start moving the bullet seating depth around to see if you gun likes a particular depth.
As for cleaning I never worry about it too much.Once you have a good accurate load,shoot your rifle till the groups start to open up. Then clean it. If your are going hunting after cleaning,make sure you get out to the range once before you go to confirm zero and get a few rounds down the barrel to dirty it up a bit.There can be quite a bit of zero difference between clean and fouled.My .308 for instance shoots about 4 inches high after a good cleaning and takes about 10 shots to get it back to its original point of impact.
 
Longshot said:
I load up different loads of the same bullet and just shoot some 5 round groups at 2-300m and see which shoots the best. Once I find the zone or "node" that is grouping well, I narrow my loading to around that range to find the most exact spot that works the best.If you want to get real finicky then you could start moving the bullet seating depth around to see if you gun likes a particular depth.
As for cleaning I never worry about it too much.Once you have a good accurate load,shoot your rifle till the groups start to open up. Then clean it. If your are going hunting after cleaning,make sure you get out to the range once before you go to confirm zero and get a few rounds down the barrel to dirty it up a bit.There can be quite a bit of zero difference between clean and fouled.My .308 for instance shoots about 4 inches high after a good cleaning and takes about 10 shots to get it back to its original point of impact.
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I do pretty much exactly this.
 
If you use a ladder test target and use it at the proper distance (300M+) You don't need to shoot groups to find the nodes for velocity. Just observe where the hits fall in relation to the target dots. This is far easier than the goofy methods of coloring bullets etc.

Find a velocity node, then I shoot triplets for seating depth.
 
I also enjoy reloading and find it fun and interesting shooting the 5 round groups even though its slower.The ladder method works well too if your stuck for time or don't like "wasting" bullets.The main problem with it down in the city is finding a 300M + range to shoot at.To each his own. ;)
 
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