How much load development can I get out of fire forming 50 pieces of 30br?

[NC/Br Shooter]

I'm back to square one in load development with my 30br because I have had to switch bullets because of economic reasons.
Normally with any new combination I always use fired cases to do my serious load work up. I have 50 pieces of turned neck Lapua and I'm figuring on trying to find a good seating depth with this virgin brass. I figure 34.5 of Lt and start shooting groups at Jam and back off 5 thousandths 5 shot groups for 25 rounds. And then do it again.
Does this sound right?
I' kinda figure tune will be between 34.5 and 35.5 anyway. So that is my reasoning for trying to do a seating depth test first.
I'm all ears. Thanks

 

[Bill Norris]

I'm back to square one in load development with my 30br because I have had to switch bullets because of economic reasons.
Normally with any new combination I always use fired cases to do my serious load work up. I have 50 pieces of turned neck Lapua and I'm figuring on trying to find a good seating depth with this virgin brass. I figure 34.5 of Lt and start shooting groups at Jam and back off 5 thousandths 5 shot groups for 25 rounds. And then do it again.
Does this sound right?
I' kinda figure tune will be between 34.5 and 35.5 anyway. So that is my reasoning for trying to do a seating depth test first.
I'm all ears. Thanks

I would close that gap from .005 to .003 per increment.

 

[TommyD11730]

In my case I was told to make sure I was + the point of touch. In my case .020 to make sure the cases formed correctly.
So I concentrated on the powder charge because I was lucky enough to own a crono.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

I would close that gap from .005 to .003 per increment.

I figured someone would mention that.
Howbow on round two? 25 to 50?

 

[Bill Norris]

In my case I was told to make sure I was + the point of touch. In my case .020 to make sure the cases formed correctly.
So I concentrated on the powder charge because I was lucky enough to own a crono.

I think most 30BR shooters do start @ .020 in the lands from just touch on the first firing.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I would close that gap from .005 to .003 per increment.

Good advice!

With that size cartridge and the range he's testing, .002 increments might provide a better picture??? IMHO

 

[Bill Norris]

Good advice!

With that size cartridge and the range he's testing, .002 increments might provide a better picture??? IMHO

I agree. Thats what I normally do but some think that is too small.

 

[TommyD11730]

I think most 30BR shooters do start @ .020 in the lands from just touch on the first firing.

Backing out I found was less accurate, for me. What do I know Im new to the caliber, but I am observant.

 

[Bill Norris]

Backing out I found was less accurate, for me. What do I know Im new to the caliber, but I am observant.

Sometimes testing at .030 in the lands from just touch proves to be more accurate.

 

[Clancy]

I sure wouldn’t shoot 5 round groups to start off with.

2 or 3 shots per depth and charge.

By the time those 50 pieces are once fired, you’ll be real close on both depth and charge.

 

[Bill Norris]

The 30BR normally tunes easy enough with 3 shot groups for powder and seat depth testing. 5 shot groups to verify.

 

[Kevin1990]

I had a conversation with a fella that knows a thing or two about the 30BR.
Just some snippets from that conversation.

Him: "Begin with the bullet 0.030" LONGER than just touch. Just to be safe, I begin scanning - via 3-shot groups - at 33.5 Gr. and go up in 0.5 Gr. increments until either pressure, or, groups show you MAX pressure - with N-130, excessive pressure is unlikely.

Me: "I was planning on going up by .2-.3gr increments then messing with seating depth and neck tension. Glad I asked you! When going up by .5 increments. If an area shows promise to do go up and down with powder increments. For example if 35gr showed promise, would you go down to 34.8 or up to 35.2?"

Him: If you could shoot the difference within that range, when you looked in a mirror, there'd be a GOD looking back at you. I'd locate the sweet spots, go .3 up and down, and live right smack in the middle, or, more likely with all the cases will hold.

I did just this and live at 34.7 grains and .015 longer than touch. Couldn't shoot the difference at 35 or 34.5, so it appears I am a mere mortal.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

Had something interesting happen this time with new brass. On my second firing. I had found my seating depth. I wanted to fo a bit of powder charge testing.
I loaded about 20 rounds and seated them all at this one length. When I got to my bench, I noticed that most of my rounds had grown about 20 thousandths.. They where longer!!
I tore apart my seating die. I went back to the loading bench to try and figure this out.
Low and behold! These new bullets are compressing my powder lots more. To the point the bullets will back out on their own. I actually witnessed one do this in real time. I never in my wildest imagination would had forseen this. I'm now in the hunt to find a .324 bushing. iv been using a .325

 

[expiper]

Had something interesting happen this time with new brass. On my second firing. I had found my seating depth. I wanted to fo a bit of powder charge testing.
I loaded about 20 rounds and seated them all at this one length. When I got to my bench, I noticed that most of my rounds had grown about 20 thousandths.. They where longer!!
I tore apart my seating die. I went back to the loading bench to try and figure this out.
Low and behold! These new bullets are compressing my powder lots more. To the point the bullets will back out on their own. I actually witnessed one do this in real time. I never in my wildest imagination would had forseen this. I'm now in the hunt to find a .324 bushing. iv been using a .325

invert the .325" bushing till you find the .324",,,,roger

 

[Clancy]

Longer drop tube, slower pour, no lube inside the necks.

 

[Bill Norris]

8 inch drop tube solves that issue without swapping bushing size.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

8 inch drop tube solves that issue without swapping bushing size.

You going to have to make me a believer.
I really don't understand the principle of why a drop tube works. To me. all I see is a longer tube making power farther to get to its destination. Don't get me wrong If ita help. I'll be all about trying it. What do I need? A 1/2x1/4 hose attached to my funnel?

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

You going to have to make me a believer.
I really don't understand the principle of why a drop tube works. To me. all I see is a longer tube making power farther to get to its destination. Don't get me wrong If ita help. I'll be all about trying it. What do I need? A 1/2x1/4 hose attached to my funnel?

Try it. It most certianly works.
Longer drop tube and slow feed. It will be compacted more then a shorter funnel.

 

[Bill Norris]

You going to have to make me a believer.
I really don't understand the principle of why a drop tube works. To me. all I see is a longer tube making power farther to get to its destination. Don't get me wrong If ita help. I'll be all about trying it. What do I need? A 1/2x1/4 hose attached to my funnel?

For less than $1.00 you can solve it with this. Believe it or not. 1/4 inch X 8 inch and a tiny funnel works for me every time. I believe Hobby Lobby will have both in stock.

 

[DaWhit]

Yes a drop tube makes a world of difference, as well as pour rate. I was skeptical also until I tried it.
I use damaged carbon arrow shafts that were lying around. Heat shrinked a funnel to one end. Took a .243 case and cut the rim and web off the primer end. Then ran masking tape around the shaft to get the right diameter to get the case to slip on snugly. Enlarged the neck so it slips over a 6 PPC case neck but also fits inside a 30 BR neck, that way it pulls double duty.

The shape of the funnel you pour into also seems to affect drop rate. My rcbs powder funnel seems to allow the powder to drop quicker than the kitchen funnel I use. With it, the powder seems to jump around more before going down the shaft. The kitchen funnel has a wine glass shape to it.

I can get 36.1 gr N130 in a 30 BR case and it only comes up the neck 1/4-1/3 of the length of the neck. I don’t think the powder comes in contact with the base of the bullet much if at all.