Just TWO-shot groups to start?

[Tommie]

Two shots won't tell you if a load shoots well...but it will absolutely tell you if it DOESN'T

Agreed.

 

[newbieshooter]

Go to post 43 and read the last sentence. This seems to be a pretty popular method but the problem may not be the componet choice. Unless I missed it in this post I have not seen one mention of flags. .....

Post 43 - in the last paragraph. ?

....

It’s important to note, a good rifle, components, scope, shooter, rest, and having a calm day and/or shooting over flags will make everything way simpler. I’ve battled mediocre rifles and not having a clue how much every detail mattered before and it can be frustrating and discouraging. Also, don’t be afraid to switch powders or bullets if things aren’t working. I’ve burned up hundreds of rounds trying to force a combo to work to simply switch to a different powder and everything come together.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Post 43 - in the last paragraph. ?

Burning up hunreds of rounds hunting a load.

 

[choprzrul]

I do load development for Hammer bullets I use strictly for hunting. Since load data is limited, and those bullets behave differently than others, I do things a bit differently.

• pre measure out 3 each of 8 different charge weights in glass vials in 1% increments
• shoot 1 each until I find signs of pressure
• back off 2% and fire a second shot to see how close it is to the first one
• if under 1", I'll fire a third one
• I charge primed brass, seat bullet, and crimp at the range as needed using the pre measured powder
• I'll typically take 2 or more powder types along to see what the rifle likes the best

This has really reduced the number of rounds I have to fire to find a load. It also has reduced tear down of unfired rounds to zero for me.

The only time the above didn't work out to find a sub MOA load, I had to go back and do a primer ladder with 6 different types of primers for a 30-06. 210, 9 1/2, WLR, WLRM, and BR2 were all 1.5" to 2.5" groups. Some Federal 215 I have left over from the Clinton panic are a consistent 0.9" grouping. I find it odd....

 

[Jud96]

Go to post 43 and read the last sentence. This seems to be a pretty popular method but the problem may not be the componet choice. Unless I missed it in this post I have not seen one mention of flags. If your not monitoring conditions your chasing fools gold. I saw one tiny mention of bench manners. If you can't tell you did not shoot a shot properly you need to get a Springer air rifle and learn bench manners. Nothing will educate you on them quicker. My goal is to deliver the maximum number of tuned shots out of a barrel During Competion not just to hear the gun go bang.I wonder what the goal is of some? So if what I just stated offends you, good, maybe it will help get you pointed in a better direction.

Post #43 I mentioned shooting over flags. I learned real quick in benchrest how much wind can push a bullet. Hard to interpret a load development target when wind can be moving your bullets 1/4” every other shot

 

[Bill Norris]

Post #43 I mentioned shooting over flags. I learned real quick in benchrest how much wind can push a bullet. Hard to interpret a load development target when wind can be moving your bullets 1/4” every other shot

Totally agree with this. Bart Sauter told me sometime back that trying to develop a load without wind flags or at least something such as surveyors tape stapled to a stake was like pissing in the wind. I had always believed since my 100 yd. hole in the woods was simply protected on both sides there could be no bother. I soon found out just how wrong I had been by placing stakes with the surveyors tape at my target and app. 50 yds. from my shooting room.

 

[L.Sherm]

I dont shoot BR but I learned a few years ago trust nothing at 100 yards that I'm shooting at 600-700. You here some say you dont need BR reloading practices to hunt LR well I know a few on here who do both and reload both almost identical and when I started doing a few more things I wasn't made a huge difference all it took was 1 winter shooting with a member here and watching him test and asking questions (you know who you are) TOM LOL.
There is no room for error in the LR game wether its hunting or BR shooting

 

[newbieshooter]

Burning up hunreds of rounds hunting a load.

In the same paragraph….it was mentioned shooting over flags….

 

[durand mortenson]

A lady friend drew an elk tag and only had a 243 so I suggested she use my 30-06. I loaded up some rounds with IMR 4831 and went to the range. Two rounds out of a cold barrel were on target and a shade less than 1in apart. I quit right there and told her she was good to go.

Mort

 

[c_bass16]

Agreed.

I actually just started working up loads for my 300 Norma Mag Imp and after firing a slingle string bumping 0.5 gr each time...I moved to 0.2gr bump for a pair to see if they were BAD or showed potential.

These are at 300 yds and not only do they show potential...but I overlaied the last 3 charges...(6 shots) all on top of each other and they were sub 1/2. Makes it a pretty safe assumption that this will yield a good place to focus on a load.

 

[Hickok]

To quote Jerry Miculek, "We are after precision,....not perfection!" Two cold bore shots can tell me a lot about the rifle and load.

 

[Ackman]

Not a competition shooter, just a varminter. Three or 4 shot groups, whatever I feel like doing. This was a new barrel,so 2 shot groups just to get an idea what it would do.
6BRX, fireforming with false shoulder.....WC844 powder and Sierra 60gr HP. Two shot groups all that were necessary to answer my curiosity. Sight change after 1st group. Shot at 75yds due to a peculiarity at that range.