First time reloading, verifying load after shooting

[ruger35]

Also posted this on Sniper's Hide, but wanted a differing opinion as well. Went out today and shot my own handloads for the first time today. The components are:
Lapura SRP brass
CCI450
H4350
Berger 144 LRHT

All rounds were loaded to CBTO 2.1585" and COAL of 2.9470" using MDT mags. Annealed with Amp annealer. Sized with SAC die bumping the shoulder back .002 and using 288 bushing. Ran through mandrel die after with 2615 mandrel. Cases were trimmed to 1.91" on Henderson trimmer. Found jam but it was longer than mag length. Forgot that info at home but can add it and case size later if needed.

I attempted to do an OCW test, but I did not use the best target for that. Lesson learned on that front. Someone was burning something and there was a haze, should have paused at some point. Another lesson learned.

I posted a screenshot of the data I wrote down from the session today. I was happy with SD/ES and overall precision, especially for my first loads. The basis for these loads are NRL Hunter competitions. They will be ran in a Lone Peak Fuzion short action. I have another 300-350 once fired Lapua brass to use as my competition brass, while keeping these as load development brass.

Thoughts were to try 41.1 to 41.5 grains, 3 rounds each. Should these be the same POA or separate? Then possibly 42.1 to 42.3. Should this be shot round robin, 3 shots each going from 41.1 to 41.5, and then back from 41.5 to 41.1? Each having their own POA? I'd appreciate any help from the experienced and smarter shooters out there.

 

[64Rambler]

Yes, individual points of aim for each load. I made a modified version of this: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0525/7235/6768/files/ShotMarker_Load_Dev_Target.pdf?v=1614621078
I made the circle just large enough for the floating dot in my reticle and the cross sized to MIL dimensions and added a 0.1 MIL grid for easy scope changes, easily done in Powerpoint or similar. This one is on 11 x 17 80lb paper.

 

[ShtrRdy]

How many shots are you firing at each powder charge?

When doing the initial charge weight test I like to look at the point of impact for each charge weight and compare it to the charge weights higher and lower. Use the same aiming point on a different bulls eye for each charge weight.

Here's an example:

 

[Doom]

See my comments on The Hide.

 

[Doom]

As for targets @ShtrRdy has a good one or use this one:

 

[powderbrake]

as others have said, use a new sighting point for each load variation.
Here is one that I use, the A line I use for foulers, the lower right area I write in the date and conditions, Temp, Pressure, humidity, wind, etc.
I use a dot reticle and it almost fills the white circle. I usually put in a couple clicks of Down to prevent shooting the aiming point.
I use the excel sheet to record the load data for each target point. I file these two sheets together in a binder as a reference source.

 

[ruger35]

How many shots are you firing at each powder charge?

When doing the initial charge weight test I like to look at the point of impact for each charge weight and compare it to the charge weights higher and lower. Use the same aiming point on a different bulls eye for each charge weight.

Here's an example:

View attachment 1742554

I did 3 shots per charge. I should have taken the time to make a strictly horizontal target like you’ve shown. I thought I could just pick spots on the edge of circles to do it, but it was t the best idea in hindsight.

 

[ruger35]

Thanks for the additional target and record ideas. I’ll definitely be more prepared next time for verification.

 

[mgunderson]

Hope you had fun. Was that new brass? Don't need to push the shoulder back that far on new brass.

 

[ruger35]

It was once fired brass. My buddy used to reload for me, but hasn't had time the last 6-9 months.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

There are a bunch of free targets you can print on this site for load testing.

Im personally with Hornady and the 20 to 30 shot groups.

Now im finding with the garmin and having piles of data with strings of 50+ in a day that a combination of components produces pretty much the same es\sd across a wide range of charge weight. When I was looking at 5 to 10 shot strings I would think I found the magic sauce, load up 25, and find out it was about the same. No magic sauce. I pissed away about 1200 rounds in 3 guns chasings the numbers with that method the first 2 years.

Now I test 10 progressive charges to check for pressure. Then I look at those velocity numbers to pick something a little under book max right off the bat. Just round down to the nearest whole or half grain. Load up 25, and if the numbers are not acceptable, ya aint turning 100 fps ES into 20 fps by changing charge weight 0.1 gr! I go straight to a new powder if I have one. Powder and brass have made big changes in numbers. Welcome to the reloading rabbit hole!

 

[smithpa68]

How many shots are you firing at each powder charge?

When doing the initial charge weight test I like to look at the point of impact for each charge weight and compare it to the charge weights higher and lower. Use the same aiming point on a different bulls eye for each charge weight.

Here's an example:

View attachment 1742554

How many shots are you firing at each powder charge?

When doing the initial charge weight test I like to look at the point of impact for each charge weight and compare it to the charge weights higher and lower. Use the same aiming point on a different bulls eye for each charge weight.

Here's an example:

View attachment 1742554

so... which charge did you go back to for further testing. 41? or 41.9?

 

[M-61]

See my comments on The Hide.

What is The Hide?

 

[Steve Donlon]

Lookes pretty normal. first node around 40.5, then 41.5 and 42.2or3 for the 3 nodes. first one a little to slow and the last one a little to much pressure and middle one best all around. That's what I found with the Bergers. Try the Lapua 144's.

 

[ruger35]

Went back Monday and tried 40 up to 41 I think, in .2grain increments. Only got one group under an inch with 5 shots per group.

Went back later that day and tried up to 41.7 and noticed the brake on the end of my suppressor was loose. Decided to go back yesterday and try from 41.1 to 41.7 in .2 grain increments, 3 rounds of 3 shots each all at the same POA for each powder charge.

These results were more representative of my original groups. Settled at 41.3. 41.3 and 41.5 were similar in velocity and group size, with 41.3 being less vertically grouped. Both were about .6moa total for 9 shots. SD under 7 for both.

I do think the barrel was still fouling from my last cleaning when I originally tested as both 41.3 & 41.5 were right around 2760 average over 9 shots for both. Compared to the 2723 on the original tests.

 

[SecondsCount]

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[Doom]

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[Fast14riot]

You're shooting a creedmoor. Lots of good data out there for your combination of components. Look for the common loads and lengths and start there. Skip the chrono until you have found a good load on target, then see how fast its going for your dope. Do seating depth first with a modest or known accurate and safe load, then do a powder charge test on a target with all aiming points in one line. 30-50 rounds max and should be dialed in.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Devise a process that works for you. My goal is doing it with minimal shots fired. I want a load that makes me competitive. My goal is not to wear out the barrel shooting groups to admire or spread sheets and graphs.