When to start load development on new barrel

savagelh

savagelh

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Saskatoon Saskatchewan
So the winter boredom has hit and I decided to build a new do all rifle. Not that theres anything wrong with my last do all build (280 ackley) but you guys know how it is. I decided on a 6.5 prc due to the fact I have lots of projectiles and the 6.5 creed just wasn't doing it for me. The accuracy of my barrel just wasn't great especially with the bullets I wanted to use (147 eldm, 143 eldx, and 130 tmk). I was just wondering if guys tend to start load development right away on a Virgin barrel or do you take 100 or so shots just to season the barrel and get everything to settle in? On my 280 I just started with load development right away and got a few loads that work very well for it.

My plan for this rifle is to find just one load that it and I both like and just use that one load. Ive bought 100 brass already and I'll use it for now to kind of feel out what bullet and powder combo it seems to like and then my plan is to buy 1000 projectiles and a jug of powder which should net around 1000 rounds. Im hoping it likes the 147 eldm and n565 but we will see.

Build specs are:
tikka lh action
Mdt hnt 26 chassis
20" fluted stainless barrel w brake
Trijicon credo 2.5-15x42
Sportsmatch rings
Pr precision magnum bolt

I have all the parts now except the bolt which should arrive tomorrow. Total weight is 8lb 2oz
 
2nd to last new barrel, I fired one wrong handed from the hip to make sure it was good, then went straight to a proven load from another rifle in the same chambering. It shot better than acceptable, albeit slower than in the other rifle.

By the time it hit 110 rounds it shot spectacularly well, and was 100fps faster. (It ended up pretty much exactly the same as the other rifle in group size for 15 rounds, and at the same velocity.)

A properly put together rifle with a good barrel is going to want to shoot well, but it will speed up and smooth out after some rounds go through it from what I’ve seen.
 
If you wanted to you start from the first shot. You’ve got sight in your rifle any way, you could be running a pressure series at the same time. That way you’ll have a rifle on paper and know your maximum load for that powder with the same amount of shots. Some fireformed brass as well.

I’ve got enough cartridges that torch barrels that I’ve started looking for ways to keep the round count down. Or at least minimize the unproductive ones.
 
I start mine right off the bat with fresh unfired cases, and progress with the once fired cases afterwards.
OAL is adjusted first, with a mid range load, then the powder charge after.
The barrels normally seed up in a 100 or so rounds.....
Cat
 
My 10th custom rifle is currently being built. I start handloading right-away with three shot groups. I use to do the barrel brake-in by scrubbing the barrel after 3 shot intervals, but gave that up and went straight to work.
 
track said:
My 10th custom rifle is currently being built. I start handloading right-away with three shot groups. I use to do the barrel brake-in by scrubbing the barrel after 3 shot intervals, but gave that up and went straight to work.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'll pass on the break in process. Ill probably just shoot it while at the range and maybe clean the bore after the first few range trips but im not big on cleaning rifles unless the accuracy starts to degrade.
 
About 11 shots into it!
Clean
Shoot (1)
Clean
Shoot (2)
Clean
Shoot (3)
Clean
Shoot (4)
Shoot (5)
Shoot (6)
Clean
Shoot (7)
Shoot (8)
Shoot (9)
Shoot (10)
Shoot (11)
Clean
Load development………….
 
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