How do you start?

[nastynatesfish]

I'm wondering. I've been working loads for my new 260 rem and my 7-08 savage I put together. I've got about 90 total through the 260 and have settled on a charge and coal to try. Got about 50 through the 7-08. I'm not to worried cause I have components and I'm doing a break in on each at the same time. But...
How do you start your load work up? I hear people say they tried 2 charges and its a ragged holer! Ya ok lol.
How do you figure charge to start?
How do you pick OAL to start?
Do you start at book OAL and move out or at lands and move in?

I start by taking a case and using my trimmer cause guage and willow out the mouth a little, use a good amount of case lube on the mouth. Drop a bullet into the chamber, drop the case in on too of the bullet and close the bolt. Usually will push the billet a few thousands into lands but give me a good start. I usually start about 1-1/2 grain under max and load 3/5 each half grain apart. Take the most accurate and start with length from lands down. Always try a few at book OAL too.
Just seems like its alot of components if there's a simpler way to go. I don't know, I'm bored at work.
This is where I'm at with the 7-08 and 130 Sierra matchking. It's 43.5gr varget, not sure on length since I was just looking at comparator .473". Gonna hopefully try to get out Thursday again. The top left is 4 shots and I adjusted 2/2 for center after. Hope it'll print the same.

It's a 26" ershaw from gunshack.com SS varmint. Still want to try my 162 or 160bthp in it too

 

[BoydAllen]

If you can figure out your seating depth, it looks like you are finished. Perhaps your seating die is at that setting?

 

[nastynatesfish]

Ya I'm not worried on the length of that I have it wrote down. It's there about 3.743 or there about. with the comparator in

 

[K22]

Starting Point:

Powder - select one that is known for producing accurate reloads in that caliber - Source - Nosler / Sierra / Lyman offer recommendations on "most" accurate powders. I normally start with a quantity in the center of the range published in the manual. Another good source is fellow shooters that are credible.

Bullet - selection is based on twist and application of use.

OAL - I measure the max OAL in the rifle for each type / brand of bullet I will load then back off .020" and start there assuming I have sufficient bullet depth in neck of case for adequate neck tension and the round will fit the magazine. I have home made tool for measuring OAL which is patterned after the Frankfort Arsenal Tool. I found this to be more precise than using the "push the bullet back" in the chamber method.

Sometimes I hit hit the right combo after just a few load adjustments - other times it takes more work to find an acceptable load. All rifles are different. Unless you like experimenting - which I don't - when I hit a combo that meets my accuracy and performance standards (1/2 moa for my varmint / predator rifles and 1 moa for my big game rifles) I stop there and go hunting / shooting. I don't chase tinny - tiny groups but then again I'm not a competitive target shooter either.