I have been reloading just plinking loads as of now, but I would really like to begin reloading ammo that is more target oriented. I had a link explaining the process, but it is gone now. Can anyone explain the process of building an accurate load for a particular firearm? Thanks.
Building a load?
- Thread starter LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1
- Start date
Do this.
Beginning with the starting load given in your manual, load 5 rounds only(a mag load will do, but at least 5 per charge.). Go up by half a grain of powder, loading 5 of each keeping them separate until you get to the max load in your manual.
Then go shooting. Shoot at 100 yards, for group only, slowly and deliberately off a bench.
Change targets between strings of 5(or whatever) and allow time for the barrel to cool.
When you find the best group, sight in at 100. Best to sight in high at 100. How high depends on the bullet and cartridge.
Beginning with the starting load given in your manual, load 5 rounds only(a mag load will do, but at least 5 per charge.). Go up by half a grain of powder, loading 5 of each keeping them separate until you get to the max load in your manual.
Then go shooting. Shoot at 100 yards, for group only, slowly and deliberately off a bench.
Change targets between strings of 5(or whatever) and allow time for the barrel to cool.
When you find the best group, sight in at 100. Best to sight in high at 100. How high depends on the bullet and cartridge.
I use what is called the ladder method. Starting load is let's say 30 grains of ### powder, up to a max of 34.6
I will load a single round with 30 grns, next one 30.2 grns, next one 30.4, working all the way up to 34.6 grains.
Then I take those loaded rounds out to my range, on a calm day. Using a 8X11" piece of paper with a center dot, I start shooting, starting at the lowest powder charge. I shoot 5 shoots at 100 yards, then go mark the individual hits. Come back and shoot 5 more, go mark. 5 more, mark and so on till I have a string of X amount of shots. Now I look at the tight clusters, usually 5 shots close together. I record the powder charge of the clusters and load 3 of each of them. Proceed with another shooting test and usually come out with the most accurate load for that bullet and powder. Then I start changing bullet seating depth and see if that tweaks it a bit more. Now if your not satisfied yet you can neck turn, primer hole bevelling, weigh each case and place in weight groups. Volume test each case. Weigh each bullet and place in separate piles.
Then after you did all this you just grab 5 pieces of brass out of you pail and load and shoot your best group ever!!
I will load a single round with 30 grns, next one 30.2 grns, next one 30.4, working all the way up to 34.6 grains.
Then I take those loaded rounds out to my range, on a calm day. Using a 8X11" piece of paper with a center dot, I start shooting, starting at the lowest powder charge. I shoot 5 shoots at 100 yards, then go mark the individual hits. Come back and shoot 5 more, go mark. 5 more, mark and so on till I have a string of X amount of shots. Now I look at the tight clusters, usually 5 shots close together. I record the powder charge of the clusters and load 3 of each of them. Proceed with another shooting test and usually come out with the most accurate load for that bullet and powder. Then I start changing bullet seating depth and see if that tweaks it a bit more. Now if your not satisfied yet you can neck turn, primer hole bevelling, weigh each case and place in weight groups. Volume test each case. Weigh each bullet and place in separate piles.
Then after you did all this you just grab 5 pieces of brass out of you pail and load and shoot your best group ever!!
+1. Take a look at Mysticplayer's site:
http://www.mysticprecision.com/
and his article on his version of the ladder test:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/reloading-load-tuning-1.php
Mark
