Increment for load development? What increment is best?

[tarsiernyc]

I am trying to figure out what is the best incrment for load development. I know that with OCW load development it's 0.3 grains. I am trying out three new bullets - 6.5 x 47 lapua with one powder - doing 5 shot groups. I am planning to use viht n 140 -

QUESTION- ARE ONE GRAIN INCRMENTS TO INFREQUENT? I know that 0.5 increments would be better but I would be at the range all day. COL is 2.80 inches except for the berger 100s which are too short.

I would be loading:

For Lapua 100 Secenars 37, 38, 39, 39.5
For Lapua 108 Scenars 34.4 35 36 37 38 38.7
For Lapua 123 Scenars 33.2 34 35 36 36.4
For Berger 100 37.5 38.5 39.5 40.5 41.5

Thanks for the input.

Paul.

 

[stgw77]

In my 6,5X47L each 1 grs increasement means approx. 100fps. You could so easily miss your accuracy node... Just my 2 cents.

 

[SS427]

Do some research on using a ladder test. I've never tried it myself but it makes sense.

Here is what I've always done in the past. For a narrow spread between min and max powder weights, I shoot a couple groups at the min, max and right in between. For a wider min/max spread I will use 4 different loads. With the one that shoots the best I then start going in both directions .2 grain or so at a time and see what happens. I usually find at least one node that way.

 

[Obtunded]

depends on the cartridge and it depends on the scale you're using.

I go .2 grain increments on 6BR, but .5 on a 6.5-284, 260, 6XC, 6X47L, 308

My Chargemaster combo is accurate to +/- 1/10th of a grain, so .1 grain increments seem a bit pointless.

 

[necchi]

If it's a new gun and/or if your new to reloading then take your time and shoot all day if you need to. You'll get to know the gun and what it likes. Once our familure, many times you'll be able to guess what it's going to like and what it can handle. Then be able to adjust to a better spread.

I've just tryed the OCW technique a few times and I like it so far, Better go back and read it again,,,the #'s you threw out aren't in line with whats suggested. He uses a Max load recomendation, and reduces by % for a start,,then steps it up in %'s.
(I know , it's that darn math thing :-\)

I used .4 (four tenths) grn spread and shoot 3 round groups.
I like that I can get 3-4 testers and 6-7, 3 shot groups with 25 or under rounds.
I KNOW My Gun won't like the bottom half of the book recomendations, and I KNOW I have good brass and componats, but the ONLY way I know that is from shooting it alot. Another gun I have likes mid range loads, I've learned to not waste my time going anywhere near anything above a full grain under max. It's simply a waste of powder and bullets.

With .4grn spreads I can find a reasonable node in the range I want. Then go up .2 and down .2 near that node to prove it. After that it's a matter of leape adjustment and dialing in that last favored tenth it wants. ;D

If all your after is a hunting load, you can find a good load and still have a handfull left for the hunt from a box of 50. If your after the elusive (X) then it'll take a bit more of course.

 

[KenO]

I like .2 increments myself in all calibers

 

[Steve Blair]

I usually use ~1% of powder charge. In 6BR, about .3 grains.