Just wondering where most shooters start for load development. Do you start with a powder that yeilds decent velocity, or a certain bullet weight and some different powders? A mix of both? Been reloading for years but decided to developer a better load for each gun. Thanks for any advice.
Load development
- Thread starter .264 Win Mag
- Start date
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Start with the bullet you want for the intended purpose - Target, hunting, plinking etc.
That's probably related to wanting velocity, accuracy, reliability or low cost so choose a powder the same way for small charges, low pressure, consistency or velocity etc.
That's probably related to wanting velocity, accuracy, reliability or low cost so choose a powder the same way for small charges, low pressure, consistency or velocity etc.
I myself look up data on the type of bullet I want to shoot, if its a Nosler, Barnes, Sierra, Berger bullet, I look in their data for what powders they recommend and look for the most accurate powder combo they use
You can also do that in reverse and pick a powder you may already have and look in their reloading data on the bullets they have tested
Lots of info on the web if you go to the manufactures site.... I take other peoples recommended load data with a grain of salt.... what worked for them might be a dangerous load for your gun
You can also do that in reverse and pick a powder you may already have and look in their reloading data on the bullets they have tested
Lots of info on the web if you go to the manufactures site.... I take other peoples recommended load data with a grain of salt.... what worked for them might be a dangerous load for your gun
Depends what the purpose is. If it is for hunting, you'd go for max velocity with acceptable accuracy. For plinking, you'd want lowest cost with acceptable accuracy. For precision/long range, lowest ES then group size.
I shoot PRS, so I pick my bullet first and build everything else around that. Cartridge is chosen based on how fast I want to push the bullet, powder is one that most people shooting that bullet/cartridge combo have had success with. I'll normally start with 2-3 powders and pick from them. Brass and primer are pre-determined, I don't test different ones.
I shoot PRS, so I pick my bullet first and build everything else around that. Cartridge is chosen based on how fast I want to push the bullet, powder is one that most people shooting that bullet/cartridge combo have had success with. I'll normally start with 2-3 powders and pick from them. Brass and primer are pre-determined, I don't test different ones.
hunters home
CGN Regular
I think this is a great way to go about it.
Purple shoulder
Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
I pick a bullet based on weight, contruction, rifle twist, availability, cost etc. then seach the internet for what people are saying. After lots of searching a theme will start to emerge regarding powder. Then I work up a load to pressure sign and pick an accurate load under that. I also like the case to be about 95% full.
Pick a good bullet for the purpose. Choose a powder based on the best load density/velocity combination as a first choice. Test it.
If that doesn't work well enough, change the powder, but my experience says that load density is a good indicator of potential consistency (accuracy). I want as much velocity as I can get with enough accuracy to work at the ranges I will shoot it because all my loads are for hunting. Target loads will need different thinking, of course.
If that doesn't work well enough, change the powder, but my experience says that load density is a good indicator of potential consistency (accuracy). I want as much velocity as I can get with enough accuracy to work at the ranges I will shoot it because all my loads are for hunting. Target loads will need different thinking, of course.
For my precision shooting, A powder with low temp sensitivity is #1 for me, then I will try and find a bullet that will suit the powder/barrel. There are usually lots of bullets that are similarly constructed and good BC. For hunting I start with the bullet then try and find the powder, mostly because I love hunting with TTSX’s.
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
Time and money spent are needed for load development. But it really shouldn't be to difficult with the info you can find here.
You can narrow down best powders and projectiles by others experiences that have worked in similar firearms.
Load up and fire away. With todays firearms I generally find the most popular choices of powder and projectiles produce ammo where I ( the shooter) is the limiting factor to accuracy. I call it " old eyes" or "need a better scope" lol
Enjoy and have fun. Nothing more satisfying than finding that combo of components the creates the sought after one hole group
PS: choose quality components
Pick any bullet weight of similar lead based construction.
Check against the reloading manuals of Nosler and Sierra for their most accurate loads and most accurate powder.
Find a starting point consistent with both (sometimes more) and develop from there.
Hornady and Barnes provide a slightly different approach for their mono bullets. The Hornady manual does not provide most accurate information but Barnes does.
Powder density, case capacity and velocity are also determining factors.
Magnum primers when powder weighs more that 50 grains or for hard to ignite powders.
Check against the reloading manuals of Nosler and Sierra for their most accurate loads and most accurate powder.
Find a starting point consistent with both (sometimes more) and develop from there.
Hornady and Barnes provide a slightly different approach for their mono bullets. The Hornady manual does not provide most accurate information but Barnes does.
Powder density, case capacity and velocity are also determining factors.
Magnum primers when powder weighs more that 50 grains or for hard to ignite powders.
