Reloading for Shooting practise

[RocketBoy]

I understand the concept of working a load up to find the best combination for the gun BUT what if I'm not a good enough shot yet to tell if it's the ammo or me? At this point I want to reload to get proficient in the process and to save a few pennies so I can practice more. Do I just start with the initial load data and practice with that? Can/should I use someone else's data for the same gun?

TTRB

 

[maynard]

How are you going to be able to tell when you are good, if you are shooting sub-standard ammo? Load the best ammo you can and practice with it.

Find the load that works best in your rifle, no 2 are the same.

 

[JasonYuke]

RoketBoy, you can start there and load to Sammi specifications, and really its a good place to start.
Not to say its always the way to go, I do a lot of rifle shooting, last year I went thorugh 1500 magnum primers and over 4000 large and 2000 small rifle primers.
When I start loading for a rifle and take it with a grain of salt because everyone has there own way.

If you are loading for a rifle catridge that is fairly common 308/30-06/270 ect..... there are some old standy loads that you can start with.
The best example ie.. the 308, very accurate and loves a number of powders and really 1 to 2 inch groups can be achieved with almost any powders.
Like Imr 4064, varget, Rl-15 Imr 4895.
Pick a load in between in the middle set your COL to Sammi specs as the manual will tell you and try it out. shoot at 50 yards than move to 100 and if your happy with your results stay with that load.
generaly but not always a rifle will like a soft flat based bullet better than a bonded or premium hunting bullet, and is a lot less expensive to throw at paper.

If you let us know what your trying to load what gun and cartridge i am sure you will get a few suggestions on this board for a starting load of some ones pet load that they have that may serve your purpose for the time being.

Once you get into the world of accuracy or accurate shooting you will see first hand all th ekey elements of accuracy and the load will not seem to ever be good enough

Dont get discouraged, there are many variables to this key,

You need to have an accurate rifle or gun to start with,
The guy pulling the trigger has to be key
And mostly every rifle ( but not always) will like the load just a bit different
different COl, powder charge, brass, and primers, than you get to the bullet construction.

My advice load to sammi specs go have fun and shoot, buy some factory ammo and see how your loads compare to them.

Cheers have fun!

 

[gth]

BUT what if I'm not a good enough shot yet to tell if it's the ammo or me?
TTRB

I can understand what your saying. Sometimes I wonder about the same thing while working up a load. "What if I pull the 3rd shot of an otherwise good group and I end up not using this load thinking it was not a good load?"

I say just go about working up a load like you normally would. Even with average shoting skills you will find something your rifle likes. Take that load and make a million of them. Now you can practice and see your improvements because you have a consistent load.

 

[ben hunchak]

You might want to develop a light load with SR4759 or some such, and possibly cast bullets, this will save you lots of money, have little recoil, less wear and tear on your gun/barrel, allow you to concentrate on the shooting basics without the noise and recoil. With the money you save you can practice twice as much and have alot more fun. You don't mention the gun or cal. so I can't offer any loads that have worked in the past. Once you're happy with your shooting you can gradually work up loads to where you want them, while using accuracy as you're guide.