Load development questions??

[squirrelsplitter]

When working up a new load for a bullet or powder change, how far off the lands do you start?
Working on new combinations for 17 Rem and 204R.
Can you share your procedure and experience on what works and what does not work?

 

[rsmithsr50]

if you start at the lands, it helps id max load as you work up.
this assumes you can reach the lands with a mag length round.
you have to decide if accurate single shot is more important than mag fed ammo

 

[std7mag]

For most cup & core bullets (Hornady, Sierra, Nosler) i typically use 0.020" off the lands.
VLD (Berger) like it closer in my rifles. Some rifles like a good jump (0.060-0.090") off the lands.
Monolithic bullets (Barnes, Cutting Edge, Nosler E-Tip, Hornady GMX) like a jump.
Most manufacturers reccomend 0.050" off the lands.

 

[JEFFPPC]

When working up a new load for a bullet or powder change, how far off the lands do you start?
Working on new combinations for 17 Rem and 204R.
Can you share your procedure and experience on what works and what does not work?

I always start with a square mark and work backwards. Seating deeper into the case as I go. I have had more barrels shoot in the rifling than jumping, but you never know. If you only test in or out you just might be cheating yourself.If your going to be shooting same cartridge with multiple barrels get your own reamer as the reamer determines your load in my experience.

 

[AJC]

As a rule I start at .020 and work back. I run the Berger series and if i dont find a good area then i move forward. .010 then .010 in. I dont try for .000

 

[Lefty Trigger]

In my factory Savage .204 I cant reach the lands and keep the bullet in the brass, I can get close but not enough to jam. Currently I'm at .083 off the lands with Sierra 39gr and they work just fine there.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Hunting rifles , 0.020 off. Moving away from lands after finding a good load. I don't shoot vld's much, have tried some Barnes and lead free Noslers(20 cal) started 0.050 off with them(hunting ammo). I'm .015 off with 29-30 gr bullets in my 17 rem. Seems like most 204r like to jump.

 

[K22]

Issues to consider regarding seating depth for hunting reloads:

1. Will the loaded cartridge fit the magazine and cycle in the action?

2. Are you far enough from the lands to prevent a bullet from lodging in the lands and dumping powder in the action when you extract a live round?

3. Is the seating depth sufficient to provide adequate bullet tension? Typically I like at least one bullet diameter of the bullet inside the neck of the case not counting the boat tail portion of the bullet.

Like others have said, I like to start about .020" from the lands provided the above three criteria are met. I use fairly conventional bullets like Nosler, Hornady and Sierra. I also tend to work backward in load development. Due to variations in bullet ogives some variation in seating depth will occur so I never go below .010" from the lands in order to prevent a bullet from becoming lodged in the lands.

Some of my rifles, namely the Rem 700's and Brownings, have a lot of free bore requiring the seating depth further than .020" from the lands. These rifles shoot very well with that much jump; for example my Rem 700 Varmint heavy barrel is a .25 to .50 moa rifle even with a lot of jump. My Tikka's by comparison have a lot less free bore.

While seating depth can definitely influence group size I've found that as long as criteria 3 listed above is met, the factor most affecting group size is bullet selection provided you are using a powder suitable for the cartridge and bullet you are loading.

 

[NorCalMikie]

In my factory Savage .204 I cant reach the lands and keep the bullet in the brass,

That's the reason I get my chambers cut with ZERO freebore + I single load so I don't have to deal with mag length restrictions. All my loads are set with a seating depth of .020 INTO the lands.
If you must/can, set the seating depth .020 out and build your load from there.
If you can't, set the bullets just above the shoulder/neck junction and work from there.
AND, only change one thing at a time or you end up chasing your tail.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

That's the reason I get my chambers cut with ZERO freebore + I single load so I don't have to deal with mag length restrictions. All my loads are set with a seating depth of .020 INTO the lands.
If you must/can, set the seating depth .020 out and build your load from there.
If you can't, set the bullets just above the shoulder/neck junction and work from there.
AND, only change one thing at a time or you end up chasing your tail.

Thanks for that info. I had a Remington prior to this Savage and it was way worse, like jumping .130 never could figure why they made such a long throat for a tiny bullet. Could be Remington just screwed up that barrel and it made it out? If I play around with and like the results I may order a custom barrel.

 

[bozo699]

That's the reason I get my chambers cut with ZERO freebore + I single load so I don't have to deal with mag length restrictions. All my loads are set with a seating depth of .020 INTO the lands.
If you must/can, set the seating depth .020 out and build your load from there.
If you can't, set the bullets just above the shoulder/neck junction and work from there.
AND, only change one thing at a time or you end up chasing your tail.

Squirrelsplitter,

This is probably your single best piece of advice given and take good notes on everything you do! Keep your targets and write info in them too.
Wayne

 

[squirrelsplitter]

Thanks to all for your replies!! Huge help while trying to learn how to work up a new load.

"only change one thing at a time or you end up chasing your tail"

Amen, I learned that lesson while learning how to set up a race car. A humbling experience to say the least.

At this point I have started at .010 off the lands and shooting 4-5 rounds at each powder charge, and increasing by .3 grains.
Watching for pressure signs and looking for the groups to tighten up.
17 Rem, 25 gr V Max, 22 gr Varget to start and working up.

 

[rsmithsr50]

don't keep the targets, KEEP A LOG FOR EACH RIFLE.
3 ring binder,8x11 spiral note book.
KEEP NOTES, on everything you do.

Squirrelsplitter,

This is probably your single best piece of advice given and take good notes on everything you do! Keep your targets and write info in them too.
Wayne

 

[bozo699]

don't keep the targets, KEEP A LOG FOR EACH RIFLE.
3 ring binder,8x11 spiral note book.
KEEP NOTES, on everything you do.

To each his own I like to reference notes and targets while working up loads on a rifle, sometimes I shoot night and day for days and other times of the year I’m busy so may be days or even weeks so I keep my targets with my log until I’m where I want to be at least.
Wayne

 

[Straightshooter1]

don't keep the targets, KEEP A LOG FOR EACH RIFLE.
3 ring binder,8x11 spiral note book.
KEEP NOTES, on everything you do.

Definitely agree with keeping a log and notes, but I'm a techy old fart, so I keep my logs digital as I also do with my targets (as in pics of the targets with some data written along side of each grouping).