Load development/bullet seating septh

[Willem .243 musgrave]

When trying to find the "sweet spot" for your rifle, what is the procedure?

Do you load charges from minimum to maximum in 0.3 grain increments, go to the range and test which load shot the best group at a fixed OAL(over all length), OR

Do you load a fixed charge somewhere between min and max but with a variance in bullet seating depth at distances from jammed into the lands and with increasing jump?

What comes first and why?

 

[Valar]

While my technique may not be the best. I Load from min to max in half grain increments. 3 loads each. I then take to range and fire all round at individual targets. If POI is off I don't care I aim for same spot looking for tightest group. I then load in tenth grain increments from best load shot in both directions up and down .4 grains each direction so 8 more test groups 3 rnds each. I go to range a and repeat looking for the holy grail! It works fairly well for me. I will then play with seating depth of bullet. Unless I happen to get excellent keyholeing. I don't try to fix what isn't broke. I load for accurate hunting. I am do not shoot competitive yet. I may when I retire? I feel my technique gives me most excellent hunting rounds!

 

[boltgunluvr]

We all have different methods of madness. One could use .3 gr, but I use .5 gr increments to save time & $. Research your bullet and load your bullet to a fixed length of the manufacturer. I have found a .015-.030 jump (.015-.030 away from rifling) can tell a fairly straight forward story. Most of my accuracy loads at in the bottom half of the manufacturer's recommended powder charge range. Observe groups, not X hits. Once you get a feel for the desired powder/powder chrg, you'll want to go back and play with seating depth. DO NOT start with bullets touching or jammed into the rifling!!! What are you shooting/bullet/powder, etc???

 

[Willem .243 musgrave]

I shoot the 87gr V-max bullets, with 44.1 grain S365 powder (From south africa we use Somchem powders that is almost the same as your IMR4350 or H450 or XMR4350) out of a 24" musgrave .243 barrel with 1:10" twist. I get muzzle velocity of 3250 ft/s. Have already done load tests which gave me the best results with the 44.1 grain powder charge and seat the bullets about .02" off the lands.

Get good enough groups for hunting I suppose, about .4 MOA @ 100 meters and best was .7 @ 200 meters.

Just wanted to know if playing with my seating depth could improve these figures a bit or would it be a waste of time.

 

[boltgunluvr]

Outstanding. Well you know how it is....you could try, but if it isn't broke, don't fix it. Using a .243 bore....are you shooting the .243 Win cartridge? Not clear as to whats available to you in S Africa. I live in midwest USA and if I could only afford one rifle....thats the one.

 

[Willem .243 musgrave]

Yes it is just a standard 243 win barrel, nothing fancy like a bull barrel or ackley improved. Musgrave barrel(produced in South Africa) on a Mauser K98 action bedded in a copy of a Sako85 stock.