New loads

[MG4A6]

Ok so for the people that like to play with new loads how is it done? ---- FYI I have never reloaded before.
Do you make 5, 10 or 20 of each and shoot them all to get a real confirmation what the rifle likes/dislikes?
The reason I ask is I am buying some deluxe H50 and R100 MTM cases, I figure at the same time I could grab some that hold 5(wallet) to 22(slip top) rounds for testing.
I am thinking of buying a 3 of the RF22-LM flip tops that hold 22 rounds each, that way I could have three different 22 round test subjects in separate cases with the info on the labels inside each case.
What do you guys use? Now that's cold out is this weather dependent... as in would I have to warm the rifle up with a few rounds before testing begins?

 

[Chas59]

I play with loads for my .308 all the time. I am no expert but for fun, what I do is load 20 rounds when I change a parameter and see how it does with 5 shot groups. I always fire a few fouling shots so that I'm not testing on a cold bore, anything will do, I save my reloads for the test. I usually try 3 or 4 versions per range trip (80 rounds) but I also shoot some of my tried and true loads. I'm trying to improve on sub 1/2 moa so I'm still in search of 5 shots in one hole but getting closer. What matters for me is using the best components, i.e. Lapua brass, bench rest primers, Sierra or Lapua bullets, consistently made with the right powder. Ymmv, there are a lot more expert reloaders on this forum who can provide advice.

 

[MG4A6]

I will get to that point one day lol sub moa would be classic!
So i take you load them one at a time for perfect consistency then? I will be using a dillon 550.

 

[bearhunter]

You don't give enough information. What rifle are you using and does it have a match grade barrel/trigger??

Most 308Win chambered, off the shelf rifles can't tell the difference between a tenth of a grain one way or the other off the median load. It may make you feel good to have such accurately weighed charges but take into consideration most scales will have that much tolerance built into them. Then take into consideration the weight of your brass and how consistent it is from piece to piece which dictates available powder space.

Then there is the real biggie. Are your loads true to their axis after you have put them together. Far to much time is spent playing with powder charges, primers and bullets than on straight and true cartridges.

I like the MTM 60 round boxes. That way each load of five cartridges can be kept separate. I also use a felt marker to color the base of the case and write it into the note book which should also be a major part of your reloading set up. Keep NOTES on everything you do and the results after. Remember, you are writing these notes for your personal information with your personal firearm, no sense embellishing the results one way or the other.

Pressures in small cases increase much more rapidly with powder volume than do pressures in larger cases. If you are planning on long range shooting, say over 400 meters slight powder changes may make a tiny bit of a difference, Maybe.

Whatever, it sounds like you plan on loading in quantity. Your machine will produce good quality ammo that is at least as good and likely better than commercially produced ammo if you do your due diligence.