From time to time I have to develop loads for my pistols using a new powder. I used a non-canister powder of Unique-like speed for years. But then the drum was empty. Other than the fact that it was made by Hercules, I have no idea what powder it was. Developing load data for it 14 different calibers took awhile, but it was worth it. The powder metered well, was flexible and made accurate loads in each caliber. When the drum was empty (45 pounds), I switched to TightGroup.
TG was also good for making accuracy loads in all calibers, but I had to start over and develop loads for each gun in each caliber. I would be happy to keep using TG, but I was given 32 pounds of another powder, similar to Ramshot Competition, so I am now developing loads with it in each caliber, for each gun. This powder is similar in speed to Red Dot, an old favorite for lead bullets.
This report is an explanation of how I do load development. There are different ways. This is how I do it.
The first step is to shoot a spread of powder charges over a Chrony to get a feel for the appropriate powder charges to use in load test. I did this with the two bullets I use in 45ACP – the DRG 200 SWC and the 225FP. Each of my 45s shoots at least one of these two quite well.
In this case, the loads selected to test were:
200SWC 4.0, 4.3, 4.6
225FP 3.7, 40. 4.3
I load a pail of ammo with each bullet, with the three different powder charges. 6 pails of ammo. To test, I hang 3 targets stapled together for the three 200SWC loads and 3 other targets for the 225FP loads. Two strips of 3 targets, hanging side by side.
Then I shoot a pistol with each of the six loads and label each target for alter grading. The targets are then scored from Poor to Very Good. The hope is to find at least one VG load for each pistol.
Once all the targets are graded, the results are transcribed to a chart. In this case, it shows that one load for each bullet got few VG results, and the other two loads with each bullet worked well in many pistols.
The final step is to label the buckets of ammo with the pistols it works well in. I also put a little label on each pistol to remind me of its favourite load.
TG was also good for making accuracy loads in all calibers, but I had to start over and develop loads for each gun in each caliber. I would be happy to keep using TG, but I was given 32 pounds of another powder, similar to Ramshot Competition, so I am now developing loads with it in each caliber, for each gun. This powder is similar in speed to Red Dot, an old favorite for lead bullets.
This report is an explanation of how I do load development. There are different ways. This is how I do it.
The first step is to shoot a spread of powder charges over a Chrony to get a feel for the appropriate powder charges to use in load test. I did this with the two bullets I use in 45ACP – the DRG 200 SWC and the 225FP. Each of my 45s shoots at least one of these two quite well.
In this case, the loads selected to test were:
200SWC 4.0, 4.3, 4.6
225FP 3.7, 40. 4.3
I load a pail of ammo with each bullet, with the three different powder charges. 6 pails of ammo. To test, I hang 3 targets stapled together for the three 200SWC loads and 3 other targets for the 225FP loads. Two strips of 3 targets, hanging side by side.
Then I shoot a pistol with each of the six loads and label each target for alter grading. The targets are then scored from Poor to Very Good. The hope is to find at least one VG load for each pistol.
Once all the targets are graded, the results are transcribed to a chart. In this case, it shows that one load for each bullet got few VG results, and the other two loads with each bullet worked well in many pistols.
The final step is to label the buckets of ammo with the pistols it works well in. I also put a little label on each pistol to remind me of its favourite load.
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