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NEWBIE QUESTION RE LOAD DENSITY

I have read that the load density that produces the highest velocity with excessive pressure is a good starting point for accuracy load development. Is there some relatively painless way to determine load density?

Thanks
 
You don't necessarily want the highest velocity possible. What does seem to correlate well, is a case that is very close to 100% full of powder when shooting at the velocity range that your bullet likes.

If you have the QuickLOAD program you can set the parameters for max pressure and max load density.,I usually use 102% density in this search, plust 63000 PSI for the 6BR or 6.5x47). Click a button and QuickLOAD will rank the powders in terms of the velocity each will deliver within that pressure range.

That won't necessarily guarantee a great load. But, in general, I think a powder choice with 95-102% load density will often give better results than a similar powder that only fills 80% of the available case capacity.
 
Thanks for the info re Nosler manual. I didn't really mean to suggest that the max density/velocity would be the starting point. Meant to say that when that point was safely reached, it would likely produce the best groups. But the very way to say is that somewhere during the process of reaching that point, one would discover the density/velocity that shot best in the particular rifle. Is that correct?
 
crouch start slow...get reliable info from at least 3 current sources to cross referance the load you want to develop I've been reloading rifle ammo over thirty years & I had two primer blow outs in two weeks..Every gun is an entity to itself,approach each one like the individual it is & you won't get any nasty surprizes....use only listed components from reliable manuals..substitutes can produce unexpected & dangerous pressures,as can using ammo from one gun intended for another of similar caliber..The warning signs are not always easy for newbies [or most casual reloaders,myself included]to recognize...If you don't have someone to show you the way around..Read understand & feel free to ask questions...I'm playing around with a little 20 caliber wildcat right now...sometimes you just get crappy accuracy..sometimes you get blown primers or worse ..The lack of reliable data makes this gun & cartridge loading slow frustrating work..you should always be thinking about the consequences of an error in this hobby..don't hesitate to ask before doing...you might not get a second chance...that said..I would rather not shoot, than not shoot my own rifle reloads ...I know no gun I ever owned would have put 3 shots in the same hole at 100 yds with factory ammo..I have a nice collection of pretty one hole 5 shot groups I have done over the years with handloaded ammo...You are going to like this game It is something you will do all your life..So don't rush it...mike in ct
 
Reloaders are the most generous and helpful group of folks I have ever encountered. Every forum I have logged questions on to, the results have been the same- -great. I spent 3 tours in RVN and thought I knew something about rifles. NOT!

Here's where I am at. I have a Rem 700 ADL in .243. The last outing using a minimum load of W760 with a Sierra 85 gr Game King produced a group of .663" at 100 yds. That particular bullet/powder combination was seated .015" off the lands. The same combo seated .010" off produced the same results. But at .005" off the group opened up. My plan it to take that powder/bullet combo and slowly,.5 grs per) increase the charge seating the bullets at both .015" and .010" looking for presuure signs and watching group size. Is that a good/safe plan?
 
While we're on the subject of load density:
Has anyone seen or heard of a poly filler that is mixed with powder, I assume, to increase load density in the case without increasing the powder charge? I just saw an ad for it somewhere and haven't heard from anyone who has used it or has experience with it. Any info. or experience would be greatly appreciated.
Chino69
 
Then there are the things like,velocity)ranges that produce accuracy.
What is meant is that there are low velocity loads that produce good accuracy and then another velocity/pressure window that produces accuracy, it's like a Graph and then when ya get to the upper limits you will see the accuracy GO away. Unless you are shooting LR and NEED the velocity I would ask why one would beat on the equipment to attain high velocity when most likely lower Pressure/Velocity will do the job. make since?

Clarence
 
Yesterday I was fire forming for my new Warp 7 and the 3/4 case full of bullseye sure did fill it out nicely and the cotton balls used to keep the powder in place shot a .25 MOA group!! :eek:hehehehe
 
OK. . .just to be sure I under stand:
,1) Seat the bullets at .010" and increse powder at .2 grs looking for sweet spot and presuure signs.
,2) Then do the same with bullets seated as .015" looking for sweet spot and pressure signs.

GENERAL QUESTION/OBSERVATION: Relying on loading manuals, there seem to be few loads approaching 100% load density. Yet I see a lot of accuracy shooters using Quickload and finding powders that will produce 100% load density and 100% burn,understanding of course that you never go straight to the top end; you always start 7-10% off and carefully work toward the top looking for that place where the rifle produces its best result. If what I have said is correct, how can the manuals be used to cross check loads developed thru Quickload?
 

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