Developing a new load

[SteveNC]

I have my first 6BR, New 1:8 Shilen on a Howa action, Timney trigger and bedded stock. I am trying to get an accurate groundhog load worked up and need advice. My results are erratic as I try new bullets and powders. Should I start with say 30.0 of Varget and then try various seating depths until I get a good result, and then proceed to vary the powder charge to try to improve that? I will use any good bullet but would like to get a 87 VMax to fly right. I have a Burris set at 32x and am dry firing off a heavy bench between shots to watch my follow thru. My hold is much better than my average 1 MOA group.

 

[billmo]

Steve, my method is fairly simple. I pick my powder and start load. I work up in .03 to.05 gr. increments til I see pressure. Most of the time I will seat my bullet touching the lands.I then back down a grain and call that my max. load for that powder.
Now is when I play with seating depths at .005 per move in and out til I see my groups get as tight as I can. What is most important about working up an accuracy load is don't change but one thing at the time. If you change more than one thing at the time you won't be able to tell what helped or hurt. I hope this helps. Bill

 

[dmickey]

Steve, my method is fairly simple. I pick my powder and start load. I work up in .03 to.05 gr. increments til I see pressure. Most of the time I will seat my bullet touching the lands.I then back down a grain and call that my max. load for that powder.
Now is when I play with seating depths at .005 per move in and out til I see my groups get as tight as I can. What is most important about working up an accuracy load is don't change but one thing at the time. If you change more than one thing at the time you won't be able to tell what helped or hurt. I hope this helps. Bill

Bill, what powder scale do you use that weighs three to five hundredths of a grain??? It must take you forever to achieve a maximum load at that rate!! ;>}