Working up loads with new brass...Then what?

[Bc'z]

that is not a BENCHREST cartridge.

It's not!
Just kidding, it's my hunting rifle, and the 1st rifle I've had reworked professionally.
I like to shoot it using the same loading techniques you guy use for competition.
Is there something wrong with that?
Rifle is still under construction so to speak, bolt goes in the mail today.
1st to @carlsbad , then forwarded to @boltfluter.

 

[Bc'z]

quickload is a TOOL
like any tool it is only as good as the USER.
did you have the same:
lot of powder as ql "
the same lot of brass as ql ?
the same bbl/rifle as ql ?
the same primer as ql ?(they do not list them)

I know, and understand that it's just a guideline.
@damoncali has been very helpful in my load development.
I started 2.2gr back, surprisingly 61gr is my max charge and a scatter node.

After more dialogue with Damon we both come up with starting at 59gr and working up
I'll move in .4gr increments.

 

[243winxb]

Who does that ??

Back in the day, (mid 90's), when Norma made the older 6PPC brass, you could only get about three firings out of a case as opposed to multitudes from Lapua 220 Russian converted to 6PPC. Anecdotal, but it did cause us to avoid the Norma.

See post #8 http://173.236.14.55/showthread.php?80496-Lapua-brass

The maximum load in other cartridges may produce loose primer pockets in 3 to 5 firings. . Just because data is in the manual, doesnt mean the pressure is ok in your firearm.

 

[243winxb]

do you include that "test brass" in your final trusted brass for competition?

I would not, if there was hard bolt lift on firing and an ejector mark on the case head.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Exactly
I abuse the stink out of my test brass, no way in the world I would put them back in the mix.
I have tested it, even at 600, abused brass stands out.
CW

Just out of curiosity...if the brass is so abused that you wouldn't use it in a match, how can you believe any of the test results you get using it? If the results are so obviously poor at 600 yd, wouldn't any test results also be suspect if made with abused brass? Not trying to stir the pot, just trying to understand your testing methodology.

 

[Mulligan]

Just out of curiosity...if the brass is so abused that you wouldn't use it in a match, how can you believe any of the test results you get using it? If the results are so obviously poor at 600 yd, wouldn't any test results also be suspect if made with abused brass? Not trying to stir the pot, just trying to understand your testing methodology.

For example, when developing a powder charge for my match rifles, I chose to shoot a ladder test. Some of the test rounds hit a bit higher pressure, those pieces of brass swell a bit more at the .200 line, I cull those out of the flock. I consider them abused and choose not to shoot them again.
I like to preform load development at the range, when I think I discovered a node, I like to load up 5 rounds and test it a few times. If those 5 pieces of brass do not measure up good at the end of the group testing.....culled.

Now, I am not saying I am doing it right, it is however what I do.
It is likely I chose the wrong words, or didn’t didn’t take the time to articulate my thought very well.
Kind regards
CW

 

[Ned Ludd]

For example, when developing a powder charge for my match rifles, I chose to shoot a ladder test. Some of the test rounds hit a bit higher pressure, those pieces of brass swell a bit more at the .200 line, I cull those out of the flock. I consider them abused and choose not to shoot them again.
I like to preform load development at the range, when I think I discovered a node, I like to load up 5 rounds and test it a few times. If those 5 pieces of brass do not measure up good at the end of the group testing.....culled.

Now, I am not saying I am doing it right, it is however what I do.
It is likely I chose the wrong words, or didn’t didn’t take the time to articulate my thought very well.
Kind regards
CW

I understand...you're actually culling most of the cases that might have been excessively expanded. I totally get that. I asked because my initial impression was that you were continuing to use those expanded cases for testing or load development, just not for competition. I can envision that there may still be some useful life left in such cases, such as fouling rounds, but if they behave noticeably different than "good" cases, there is a limit as to what I would use them for as any results might be anomalous due to the overexpansion. Thanks for your response.