finding best OAL

[cjmac]

So iv worked up a new load for my 223 , i found a charge thats giving me half inch groups at 100 yards. Would now be the time to change my OAL ? Thats what iv done in the past , just looking for other opinions

 

[bheadboy]

on 224 cal I typically start with .020, get powder etc. as good as I think it will then go and then try .010 closer and further away.

Bob

 

[mikecr]

Probably wasted efforts so far.
You can fully test for best seating(I recommend Berger's method), where you're at, or anywhere really. Then once you have it, go back and do load development over again, so that you can better see what charge is really best.
Then fine adjust seating to shape the group.

In load development (for normal cartridges that don't require jamming for a pressure tune), the single largest affect to grouping is seating depth. then there is primer/striking, bullets, and powder(finest adjustment).
So it makes sense to work from largest contributor to smallest, right?
Seating first, powder last.