How far do you usually start below the max recommended load?

KDX

KDX

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I started reloading some .223 today for my Model 12 LPV. The max recommended with Benchmark was 26.5gr with 50gr boolets (V-max is what I'm trying). I started at 25gr x 3 (just because) and am following this for load development. 25.5gr x 5, 25.7gr x 5, 25.9gr x 5, 26.0gr x 5, 26.1gr x 5, 26.2gr x 5, 26.3gr x5, 26.4gr x 5, 26.5gr x 5, while checking for pressure signs with each load. What do people usually do for their initial loads? Thanks in advance.;)
 
I usually start about 2 gr off max, make 5 of each at .5gr increments. Then see where the best accuracy is, from there I'll load between the best 2, at .2 gr increments. Takes two good days at the range, but works for me :)
 
I usually knock 10% off max and then work up same as above except that I'll add a third day at the range playing with OAL. My remmy likes 'em long.
 
Depends. New (to me) gun that I am unfamiliar with, I will start lower than a gun I have done lots of load development for. Once you learn your gun you can start a lot closer to what you know will be a useful load.
 
10% as wel, then I use the ladder test at 150 - 200 yards. One of each 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.5, 24.6, up to max, then concentrate around the clusters.
If you are using military brass it has thicker walls so its possible to hit max sooner! For giggles I loaded some Rem, Win, IVI, LC, Fed with the same load and they printed up and down the paper.
My 2 cents.
 
5-10% below, I tend to look at numerous sources for min and max, sometimes there are significant variances. The calibre and bullet you are loading there is a real difference between the Hornady and hogdon manuals, I tend to go with the powder companies.
 
usually i run a load of factory stuff to begin with, then see what they used , then duplicate, and then go beyond that- all that data is published on the various factory sites on the net- if you want to "cook" you dig out the reloading manuals
 
I start 1-1.5 grains under and go up in .2 increments. I only load for pistol ATM however. When I loaded rifle I used a method pretty similar to curtmg.
 
KDX said:
I started reloading some .223 today for my Model 12 LPV. The max recommended with Benchmark was 26.5gr with 50gr boolets (V-max is what I'm trying). I started at 25gr x 3 (just because) and am following this for load development. 25.5gr x 5, 25.7gr x 5, 25.9gr x 5, 26.0gr x 5, 26.1gr x 5, 26.2gr x 5, 26.3gr x5, 26.4gr x 5, 26.5gr x 5, while checking for pressure signs with each load. What do people usually do for their initial loads? Thanks in advance.;)
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10% below is a good starting point.
 
joe-nwt said:
Depends. New (to me) gun that I am unfamiliar with, I will start lower than a gun I have done lots of load development for. Once you learn your gun you can start a lot closer to what you know will be a useful load.
Click to expand...

:agree:
 
Is there any risk to starting below minimum......

Funny you should ask. I heard a story at my local g-club last week, apparently a member had remove a squib in a bolt action (a .460 if memory serves) about 2-3 months ago. It was a jacketed bullet...... What a PITA, he called up a guy who has fixed this before (an amature g-smith) he happend to have a long drill bit, so they put a hole through the centre of the bullet and then pounded the crap out of it with a long brass drift...... they got it out but they had a heck of a time......

I try to ALWAYS stay no less than 15% under Min loads..... To prevent this very thing. I realize that this will only happen with a squib, but why tempt fate.

When I am working up a load in a new gun (one I've never worked a load for before) I usually start at minimum load, and then go up in 1 gr. increments to just below max. I then take my best groupings levels and then work between those 2 levels by .1gr untill I find the best grouping..... quite often this is about 3/4 up the spectrum from min to max....

When I am working up a new load in an firearm I have worked out loads for before, I have a pretty good idea of where to start.

Quite a few times I have discovered that this bullet and this powder don't shoot worth sh*t in my rifle using this method...... But when you find that load that works..... Ahhhhh satisfaction!

I have tried some loads in different rifles that were very close to max, and once or twice a little over, Faster? sure it was..... but the accuracy just wasn't there.

Cheers!
 
notsorichguy, you're talking about a seriously low squib load, which can theoretically be disastrous under the wrong conditions or a primer only load.

I like to start a new to me rifle at minimum loads for the simple reason it just may be the most accurate. It only takes 3-5 rounds to tell. Then work up in increments until I find what I can live with.

Magnum rounds are a different story. They normally like to be loaded close to maximum for best results but not always. I also prefer to use magnum primers in "almost" all of my loading endeavors so am willing to start with lower density loads.

Magnum primers just seem to be more consistant under the different weather conditions I hunt and with the older powders I use. They probably aren't really necessary with the more recent offerings.
 
The classical way to remove a jacketed bullet stuck in a barrel, was to stand the rifle up and pour an aggressive bore cleaner down the barrel. The next day just tap the bullet out, the way it came in, using a wooden dowel.
As Bearhunter pointed out, powder at 25% under max, will of course, not stick bullets in barrels! It will still be quite a good load.
 
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