process for load development

[222Jim]

Hey fellas,
When trying to hone in on the perfect load will you please share your technics.
Shall I find seating depth first and then work powder charge up?

First, define "Perfect Load". I read this somewhere but can't remember where, but the basic thought behind this is that if you don't know when "good is good enough" you'll burn out barrels and use all your components without ever getting to perfect.

For example, I happen to limit myself to shooting ground squirrels now, so my goal is to hit them with, say my .222 Remington, 90% of the time at 200 meters. That translates to a Mean Radius of 0.25 MOA. Maybe you want to win some specific competitive shooting class. Well, how wide's the target and what do others do? Learn from others doing comparable shooting. Maybe you want that Mule Deer. Well, how large is the vital area?

That and I then I reference as many sources as I can to find a starting load. Those references include this site, What The Pros Use, and others. I load 20 with what I believe is the best and fire them to establish a benchmark. Then (and here's where the arguments begin ), I go (i) Charge, and then (ii) Jump. When I think I've landed on the best, load 20 and fire them. Did I get better?

I've done load development (i) Jump and then (ii) Charge, and vice versa (which is what I do now). Other factors are less influential, i.e., neck tension.

But, above all else, keep accurate records of what you did and what the results were!

FYI, my shooting is with my .222, .22-250, and .308. I won't and can't comment on other calibers, if that actually matters.

 

[std7mag]

Working on 7mm08 with 20" barrel for hunting. Barnes TTSX 140 gr with RL-15 and 8208 to see what works best. Going to use powder load data from book and load .030, .040, and .050 off lands to see what I get and adjust powder charge from there.

Being a hunting load, you're not worried about that 0.1" group difference as with benchrest.
Using mono bullets is another beast altogether!

First find the distance to the lands of your rifle. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do it with your components.

Seat bullet 0.05" in from the distance to the lands.

Then do a powder charge ladder.
After you get your powder charge you can play with seating depth.

If your groups still aren't to your liking, put a taper crimp on the cartridge.
I've seen this help with no other changes.
Theory is that it lets the pressure build slightly more before the bullet starts moving. Giving it some more speed to help with engraving.

 

[G Liles]

Some say seat depth first and powder second. The older school says reverse it. One of the all-time winning S R bench rest shooters says do both at the same time with a matrix of powder charges across the page vs. seat depth down the page at equal intervals. Some S R bench rest shooters still do that with great results. I find however I approach it some sort of ladder needs to be done.

This works if you have enough money to buy barrels because if the barrel didn’t shoot in the high 1s right off the bat he screwed the barrel off and set it on the shelf and tried another. If I had the money I would do the same!!

 

[old_heli_logger]

Does anyone consider Positive Compensation for load development?

Good luck everyone!!!

 

[JEFFPPC]

Mid range powder, seating, powder , seating, tuner.

 

[222Jim]

Does anyone consider Positive Compensation for load development?

Good luck everyone!!!

Yes............I discovered, much to my bepuzzlement, positive compensation when doing load development with my .308. Shooting Sierra Matchking (top charts) and Berger 168 VLD (bottom charts) showed that as charge (left side) rose, the point of impact DECREASED. That's shown as velocity on right side. Note that the lines are only shifting vertically because I'd adjust my scope to keep the impacts on target

Also note that at one point I removed the barrel and action from the stock and did a thorough cleaning. I did this after discovering the rear action screw wasn't torqued to factory setting; it was at 25 in-lbs vs. factory recommendation of 55 in-lbs. I also discovered the pillars had some paint on the top where they contacted the stock. After cleaning that off I reassembled the rifle and went out and shot the rifle again. Those results are inside the green circle. There is still positive compensation, albeit less than before. Note......all "dots" are the average of 10 shot groups fired at 100 meters.

 

[old_heli_logger]

Yes............I discovered, much to my bepuzzlement, positive compensation when doing load development with my .308. Shooting Sierra Matchking (top charts) and Berger 168 VLD (bottom charts) showed that as charge (left side) rose, the point of impact DECREASED. That's shown as velocity on right side. Note that the lines are only shifting vertically because I'd adjust my scope to keep the impacts on target

Also note that at one point I removed the barrel and action from the stock and did a thorough cleaning. I did this after discovering the rear action screw wasn't torqued to factory setting; it was at 25 in-lbs vs. factory recommendation of 55 in-lbs. I also discovered the pillars had some paint on the top where they contacted the stock. After cleaning that off I reassembled the rifle and went out and shot the rifle again. Those results are inside the green circle. There is still positive compensation, albeit less than before. Note......all "dots" are the average of 10 shot groups fired at 100 meters.

Sweet!!! I remember a long time ago shooting ladders and wondering what was going on with the faster bullets hitting lower...now I know, I think

 

[Bill Norris]

Does anyone consider Positive Compensation for load development?

Good luck everyone!!!

This dude has lots of tuner knowledge as well.

 

[64Rambler]

Working on 7mm08 with 20" barrel for hunting. Barnes TTSX 140 gr with RL-15 and 8208 to see what works best. Going to use powder load data from book and load .030, .040, and .050 off lands to see what I get and adjust powder charge from there.

The 7mm-08 is quite capable. This is from a ca. 1979(?) Rem 700 BDL in 7mm-08 that started out with a Varmint Special barrel that I had turned down to 20.5" long and ~0.800 muzzle diameter. Still has the wood stock, but the forend button is gone and the action was glass bedded back then. Fast forward 40+ years and she still shoots!
These were 0.010" short of mag length. Still need to dial in seating depth from here.