Advice for load development

powdergun

powdergun

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Developing loads seems like it could be quite expensive. I'm looking for the most efficient way to do this. Do I try a specific powder with two or three bullet types or vise versa. How many different loads should I try at each powder/bullet combination? What increments should I increase loads by? etc. etc. etc.......

Do I try a bunch of things then get real precise on the best one. I've got two goals for this spring

1) a hunting load for a .308
2) a prcision load for long range with a 300 wsm

Help me my head is about to explode.
 
What I do is go in five increments from starting load up to maximum load. I make up 10 rounds of each loading, making sure to carefully measure out the powder. Remember that every time you use a different type of bullet, you have to do the process all over again because different bullets will react differently in your particular firearm.

The big thing to remember is to keep a good reloading log because it will save you a lot of trouble down the road if you can easily look up what you've already done.
 
It all depends on what level of precision you expect from your handloads. It's not hard to duplicate factory loads in terms of accuracy and speed, in most cases.
 
This is what I do and so far it has worked for me: I start a load at .min and use a cheap bullet I then work that load up until I have an acurate load. I will then duplicate that load with a premium bullet for huntin usually I have only small adjustments to make
 
powdergun said:
Developing loads seems like it could be quite expensive. I'm looking for the most efficient way to do this. Do I try a specific powder with two or three bullet types or vise versa. How many different loads should I try at each powder/bullet combination? What increments should I increase loads by? etc. etc. etc.......

Do I try a bunch of things then get real precise on the best one. I've got two goals for this spring

1) a hunting load for a .308
2) a prcision load for long range with a 300 wsm

Help me my head is about to explode.
Click to expand...

For the .300WSM you might try 67gr RL22 with a WLRmag primer with 175gr Sierra .308 Match King for starters. If this is too light, work up in .5 gr intervals. I used 69 gr RL 22 behind a custom 187gr bullet with good results. You might try 65 gr of RL22 behind a Sierra 190MK, work up if no pressure. I have not tried this combo, however. Check the manuals, always use caution.

NormB
 
If you want a tck driver it may take some work but what I've found that works well is:
-Try differnet bullet weights, the rate of twist will determine what range of bullet weights will work best
-Start at the lowest powder charge and work up
-5 shot groups with a fowled barrel
-Never exceede the manufacturers max powder charge for a given bullet
-Inspect cases for high pressure problems, Anviled primer, split or cracked case, stiff bolt opening this is your only warning symptom! Another increase of powder may be spell diaster
-Only resize the neck not the whole case (use cases only in the gun they were shot in to fit the case to the gun)
-Keep a log book and old targets, label them and store them over your bench for reference, and pride

A log book will keep you from wasting time and money to try to find the same load again

Good luck

G
 
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