Dang I'm getting brave. Now I want to post a load workup process, so as to simplify load development. Get your loading manual, and pick a powder and max load. Pick your bullet. You know I like JLK's. However, sometimes they only shoot great when jammed, unless you have a barrel tuner, which most do not have. For most people, I'd recommend a Sierra bullet or Hornady. You need the tool to find the lands, and go ahead and get the base-to-ogive distance corresponding to jam length. Also check the OAL, if you'll be shooting from a magazine. I almost always single-load, so cartridge OAL does not matter. We're talking about best accuracy, so single-loading is assumed in those applications. Anyhow, load the longest cartridge about 0.010" shorter than jam length, and use a powder charge that's safely in the middle range of loads. Load 3-5 rounds of different base-to-ogive lengths, seating about 0.030" deeper for each test group. Keep the powder charge the same. You'll eventually find a seating depth that looks promising. Then start loading your test rounds at depths close to the most promising depth, varying by 0.010" in each group.
After you find a good seating depth, with consistent small groups, vary the powder charge by 0.5 grains higher and lower until you find a combination that makes you happy. Drill down on the seating depth and powder charge in increments as small as you care to test, then settle on a final load when the groups meet your criteria. Be aware that this process will need to be repeated after several hundred rounds; however, you'll usually be seating a bit longer, and adding a small amount of powder, each time accuracy falls below your standards. I think I'm done, since I don't know anything else beneficial. I don't know if long-range shooting info would be of interest, but I've done that a lot, and it's not that hard. Later, maybe. The easiest way to do that is to go to an F-class match at 300 or 600 yards, and whale away at it. Plenty of teachers will assist you if you cross-fire enough. Just go do it, after your ammo is up to specs.
After you find a good seating depth, with consistent small groups, vary the powder charge by 0.5 grains higher and lower until you find a combination that makes you happy. Drill down on the seating depth and powder charge in increments as small as you care to test, then settle on a final load when the groups meet your criteria. Be aware that this process will need to be repeated after several hundred rounds; however, you'll usually be seating a bit longer, and adding a small amount of powder, each time accuracy falls below your standards. I think I'm done, since I don't know anything else beneficial. I don't know if long-range shooting info would be of interest, but I've done that a lot, and it's not that hard. Later, maybe. The easiest way to do that is to go to an F-class match at 300 or 600 yards, and whale away at it. Plenty of teachers will assist you if you cross-fire enough. Just go do it, after your ammo is up to specs.
