Loading process
- Thread starter ralphy670
- Start date
You need to be clearer on what you are asking. The process of reloading is a lengthy one to explain... is there something specific you want to know?
As for barrel cooling, for hunting it's inconsequential... however when sighting in at the range you want to have a cold barrel, the first shot you take will be the only one that counts when you're hunting and so cold barrel testing is what you want to do before hand. take a .22 along to the range if you have one for killing time during barrel cooling. fire one shot of your hunting rifle, than play with the .22 for 10 min or so until your hunting barrel has completely cooled off... take another shot, back to the .22., and so on until you are sighted in. your POA/POI will be much more representative of results in the field when done this way. And for god sakes don't clean the gun afterwards, wait until after hunting season ends for that!
As for barrel cooling, for hunting it's inconsequential... however when sighting in at the range you want to have a cold barrel, the first shot you take will be the only one that counts when you're hunting and so cold barrel testing is what you want to do before hand. take a .22 along to the range if you have one for killing time during barrel cooling. fire one shot of your hunting rifle, than play with the .22 for 10 min or so until your hunting barrel has completely cooled off... take another shot, back to the .22., and so on until you are sighted in. your POA/POI will be much more representative of results in the field when done this way. And for god sakes don't clean the gun afterwards, wait until after hunting season ends for that!
Well, theoretically.... but personally i don't differentiate between hunting or any other loads. i develop loads by working up powder charges .5g at a time, fired in 4 shot groups per weight, with each shot within a group fired inside of a couple minuites. i then let barrel cool completely before shooting the next group with diff powder charge,,, and so on.
Once i find the best powder charge i play with seating depth using the same shooting process.
Now, when you find the load that shoots the best, you then want to zero your sights or scope to it's cold barrel POI for hunting. that is when i would hit the range and set up a target at the range you want to be zero'd for and take a shot. adjust it with successive shots as close to POA as you can and then let the barrel cool off completely... then repeat the process until you are nailing the bullseye with the first shot from a COLD barrel. And rember to not change ANY variables from that point forward until after the season, including not cleaning the bore! you are then ready to head out hunting. have fun!
Once i find the best powder charge i play with seating depth using the same shooting process.
Now, when you find the load that shoots the best, you then want to zero your sights or scope to it's cold barrel POI for hunting. that is when i would hit the range and set up a target at the range you want to be zero'd for and take a shot. adjust it with successive shots as close to POA as you can and then let the barrel cool off completely... then repeat the process until you are nailing the bullseye with the first shot from a COLD barrel. And rember to not change ANY variables from that point forward until after the season, including not cleaning the bore! you are then ready to head out hunting. have fun!
Thats exactly what I needed. Thanks for sharing your process.
Thats how I worked up my loads at .5 gr intervals but with 3 shots. I let the barrel cool between groups also. I have never played with seating depth however. I will have to try that.
Thats how I worked up my loads at .5 gr intervals but with 3 shots. I let the barrel cool between groups also. I have never played with seating depth however. I will have to try that.
