First time Reload Results

[Mr Wick]

Yesterday, I completed the installation of my Dillon 550C Press, myself. This morning I went through everything people on here had told me, all the notes I had taken, and decided to reload by myself for the 1st time and only the 3rd time overall.

I'm shooting a Savage Arms 10/110 Precision chambered in 308 at 100 yards. I work today so I was a bit rushed and didn't have time to put my targets further out. If I had more time I know my shots would have been more accurate. You can see I nailed the two smaller targets dead on when I took my time.

Comments and Suggestions please.

And thanks to everyone for their input.

 

[rwj]

Congrats on a successful reloading/range experience! Save that target as a way to gauge your improvement. Make notes on the back of what you believe went well and what didn’t. Make plans on how to address the latter before your next reloading/range session.

 

[Bill Norris]

As rwj just said KEEP GOOD NOTES. You will find them to be of great value going forward. Keep a record of temps & conditions each time you shoot as well.

 

[BW64]

Nice work. Keep it up & it will get better with fine tuning. I've had my .308 out to 1 mile. When I can figure out how to get the video transferred I'll post it. Just to clarify this is 5 rounds at 100 not at a mile!! And I just can't figure out the video transfer!! GRRRR!!

 

[Mr Wick]

Thank you. I recorded everything. Wind, temperature, humidity, altitude, and of course distance of course.

I have everything I did in the reloading process noted as well. Weight, COAL, etc.

 

[Mr Wick]

Nice work. Keep it up & it will get better with fine tuning. I've had my .308 out to 1 mile. When I can figure out how to get the video transferred I'll post it.

Wow. That's an amazing feat. They are installing a one mile target at my range on Christmas.

 

[BW64]

What range. I shoot BRPC once a month.

 

[RegionRat]

That is a great starting point.

From here, you will have a chance to shoot while you learn about components and batch management.

There is a balance between many smaller batches to force the learning curve of all the processes versus loading in bulk to be able to go out and learn the wind without batch fluctuations.

Good Luck on your reloading/shooting journey.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Nice to hear of another 308 shooter using a Dillon 550. I've had one for years and did consider selling it when I took up FTR and getting a Forster. After making perfectly good ammo with little run out on said Dillon...
Now that I use a mandrel too, the 550 becomes even more useful. Two tips: Use good locking rings on the dies. The toolhead threads are a little sloppy, to prevent galling and can shake loose if not really locked down. Also, if the die is screwed a long way down, put the lock ring under the toolhead. It's not silly to do both if there's enough thread on the die.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Excellent start, well done!

Now you will have to learn to resist the impulse to buy new reloading gear in order to shrink groups, sometimes by only the smallest increment. Spend your hard-earned money wisely...bouncing ideas for possible purchases off the forum members is a good way to help decide whether some new item is really worth the money. Some are, some aren't.

 

[Mr Wick]

You guys have been great.

Question:

With the casing, bullet, and powder combination I'm using the charts says the starting load is 38.8 grains and tops off at 43.1 grains.

I shot 38.8 grains at 100 yards today.

What are the benefits/drawbacks of increasing the powder load.

Thanks.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Benefits are more velocity/wind resistance/ bullet expansion if hunting. Drawbacks are it may not shoot as good and will use more powder with more recoil. On a bulk loading out of the book i always go halfway and call it done unless im going to do load testing

 

[Mr Wick]

Benefits are more velocity/wind resistance/ bullet expansion if hunting. Drawbacks are it may not shoot as good and will use more powder with more recoil. On a bulk loading out of the book i always go halfway and call it done unless im going to do load testing

So go to about 40.95? That's the middle.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

So go to about 40.95? That's the middle.

Yep. See how that works. Get us a picture of the primer on some fired cases first then we’ll go up from there

 

[Bill Norris]

So go to about 40.95? That's the middle.

A good place to start and then adjust bullet seating depth to find the sweet spot in accuracy.

 

[Tempest]

Also chrono the load to find out what velocity groups the best.

Then do it again at various distances/temps.

 

[Jager]

So go to about 40.95? That's the middle.

Most of us shoot what's called a "ladder." From your (very promising!) starting point, load three or five rounds, then three or five rounds with 0.5 gr more... and so on. So if you started at 38.8, your next load would be 39.3, then 39.8, and so on.

Back at the range, you'd then carefully shoot each group at a different target, with the goal of seeing how multiple charge weights affect accuracy, while carefully looking for signs of pressure (which would be a sign to stop). There's a lot more to it that you can do. But that's it in a nutshell.

Congrats on your first successful solo handloading session. Kinda magical, ain't it?!

 

[Flouncer]

So, how's your wallet feel ??

 

[K22]

Nice shooting. Smart move starting at 100 yards. Get to know your rifle and load. Master the fundamentals then move out to greater distances. However, I know a few guys that just enjoy shooting at 100 yards, nothing wrong with that either. The idea is to enjoy yourself.

As others have mentioned, keeping a range book is something I've done for a very long time. It can be very helpful in aiding you in your journey.

 

[Gargoyle]

Looking great so far! I shoot a few powders and keep the data in case I can't find a powder in stock I have fall back recipes that work good too.