Trying New Loads

wrangler yj · September 22, 2009, 11:06 AM

I will be soon trying out some different bullets come Sunday hopefully. I will make up some using different grains. There will be five rounds for each different load. Heres the question. Do you clean the gun before trying out each different batch, do you take a fouling shot before each batch. If it makes a difference it will be for my 45 acp.

**Unclenick** · September 22, 2009, 12:40 PM

Are you telling us you're out to lunch?

Rifles are precise enough that they are sensitive to changing the powder used without cleaning in between. But there is no penalty for simply changing the charge weight of the same powder. The only reason for cleaning between changes in charge would be if a hotter lead bullet load started leading the barrel, and you wanted to see how backing it down might improve the situation? If leading was already in it, you couldn't tell.

In your shoes, I would simply shoot, starting with the lowest loads and working up, not worrying about it. If you want to run an extra two or three rounds of your lightest load to foul the barrel, you can. In a rifle that can make a difference, but in a handgun the accuracy level may not let you see it the difference? It can't hurt, though. It's just the cost of two or three rounds. You might put them on a target identical to the others you will shoot to see if their point of impact is any different than the others, or if they string noticeably? I don't think you'll see it unless the gun is an extremely tightly fit up match target pistol.

QBall45 · September 22, 2009, 01:08 PM

I don't waste my time cleaning between strings when working up a load for my 45.

September 22, 2009, 11:06 AM	#1
wrangler yj Member Join Date: July 21, 2009 Location: Southeastern Ohio Posts: 67	Trying New Loads I will be soon trying out some different bullets come Sunday hopefully. I will make up some using different grains. There will be five rounds for each different load. Heres the question. Do you clean the gun before trying out each different batch, do you take a fouling shot before each batch. If it makes a difference it will be for my 45 acp.

September 22, 2009, 12:40 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Are you telling us you're out to lunch? Rifles are precise enough that they are sensitive to changing the powder used without cleaning in between. But there is no penalty for simply changing the charge weight of the same powder. The only reason for cleaning between changes in charge would be if a hotter lead bullet load started leading the barrel, and you wanted to see how backing it down might improve the situation? If leading was already in it, you couldn't tell. In your shoes, I would simply shoot, starting with the lowest loads and working up, not worrying about it. If you want to run an extra two or three rounds of your lightest load to foul the barrel, you can. In a rifle that can make a difference, but in a handgun the accuracy level may not let you see it the difference? It can't hurt, though. It's just the cost of two or three rounds. You might put them on a target identical to the others you will shoot to see if their point of impact is any different than the others, or if they string noticeably? I don't think you'll see it unless the gun is an extremely tightly fit up match target pistol. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 22, 2009, 01:08 PM	#3
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	I don't waste my time cleaning between strings when working up a load for my 45.