• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Load development help needed

I am relatively new to reloading. I find the more I learn, the less I know. I reload for factory rifles for hunting and target shooting. I realize that I do not need the accuracy that I strive for. I am trying to develop a load using Hornady 85gr Interbonds for a 243 win. The only powders I had on hand were IMR 4320 and RL19. I loaded three test loads of each loaded to the manual OAL. The best I could get on the test loads was 1"-1.25" at 100yds. The majority were 3"-4". When Il loaded the RL19 loads, I also loaded some 85 gr Sierra Gamekings loads loaded to the same length as Federal factory Gameking loads. Two of the three test load groups were under .5" at 100 yds.

I said all this to ask the question. Is it time to trash the Interbonds or is it worth trying different powders and playing with seating depth? I received some great suggestions on powders to try but do not want to fight a losing battle.
 
I would say if you can't find a good load with IMR- 4320 and that bullet try different bullets. also try jumping the bullet .100" or more before you give up.
 
It's hard to find a good load by simply choosing three loads at a random seating depth relative to your chamber.

Find my load development thread on the reloading forum and follow it step by step. If after doing that you still not satisfied, try something else.
 
Erik

I actually read part of your post "Long range load development at 100 yards" yesterday. Is this the one you were talking about? If so, I didn't see where you talked about where to start with OAL. Also which powder charges. I see there were .5 gr increments but from where to where? I start at the manual OAL because I don't know where else to start. If I start out near the lands, I could run into magazine issues. With the manual OAL, I am .090" off the lands. I guess I need to decide if I want to load for accuracy or for hunting.
 
GunAddict said:
Erik

I actually read part of your post "Long range load development at 100 yards" yesterday. Is this the one you were talking about? If so, I didn't see where you talked about where to start with OAL. Also which powder charges. I see there were .5 gr increments but from where to where? I start at the manual OAL because I don't know where else to start. If I start out near the lands, I could run into magazine issues. With the manual OAL, I am .090" off the lands. I guess I need to decide if I want to load for accuracy or for hunting.

It's all on my first post. You can load to max magazine length if shorter than lands and seat deeper from there when testing.
Start at manual minimum and work up from there.
 
To find a good powder try a ladder test. I did my first last week. Gave me lots of info.

Keep working on it. It's very satisfying to go the the range and shoot the best of everyone thee because you loads are solid.
 
It's alive and well. Problem is guys don't post their results.
I'll encourage them to post results.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3814361.735
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
166,252
Messages
2,214,903
Members
79,496
Latest member
Bie
Back
Top