Working up New Loads, How many do you build?

Dead-Nuts-Zero · September 10, 2005, 12:16 AM

I have loaded plenty but it's been awhile. I had always loaded for revolvers in the past. I loaded 5 or 6 rounds of a starting load and then increased it slightly with the next 5 or 6 rounds etc. I carefully mark them as to their contents and take them to the range the next time out. I figure 5 is a nice round odd number and 6 is usually the cylinder capicity. I think it takes one or two shots to condition the barrel for a new load and then I have 3 or 4 to group on the paper target. I did not use a Chrony before, but I will be using one from now on.

How many rounds do you build for one sequence of test firing?

BigSlick · September 10, 2005, 01:50 AM

For rifle, I usually work up about 10 rounds of each charge. When I find the one that shoots best on paper, I start working with different mfr bullets (same weight) and slight variances in seating depth, with that charge. When I find a combo I like, I then back off a little on the charge and try different primers and work up slowly again to fine tune the final load.

For pistol, same drill with a lesser number of bullet options, usually no more than four. I usually use Winchester Primers on all my pistol loads except 50 AE and 500 mag. CCI's seem to work a little better (for me) with slower powders at heavier charges.

If I find one mfr bullet shoots as good as another, I go with the cheaper of the two.

When I find a load I like, I will load enough rifle to cover a day out sighting in and about a box for the next hunt. For pistol, I'll load five or six boxes, unless I'm close to running out of a particular pound of powder. The I will use the rest of it. Next batch of powder (usually a different lot number) I will use the same components, load a few backing the charge off slightly to allow for lot to lot variance. If I don't find a problem, I'll go back to the sweet spot from the last lot and carry on.

FWIW,

BigSlick

Russ5924 · September 10, 2005, 08:59 AM

I like a few more for my revolvers I will load 24 that gives me 4 full loads to give the gun time to see if it likes them or not.Have seen times when you switch ammo takes the gun a few rounds to settle down with the new stuff and shoot right.

J.D.B. · September 10, 2005, 10:18 AM

Usually ten per test-lot here. For revolver , 12.
Josh

Smokey Joe · September 11, 2005, 12:31 AM

Dead-Nuts-Zero--BigSlick has it right on, and covered everything. 'Cept I make up 10 of each for my handguns, too, but that's just "individual differences" at work.

Good on you to get a chrono. They help a lot.

Dead-Nuts-Zero · September 12, 2005, 12:22 AM

Smokey Joe...I too like the ideas that BigSlick posted. I do it somewhat the same, but I have never tried playing with different primers. I guess I didn't think there was much difference amoung brands. I am not yet into the x-tra x-tra x-tra fine tuning of my loads for handgun. I think once I get my chrony, I will see that not all primers are created equal.

Another idea I picked up from his post is the powder lot numbers. I didn't expect there would be any notable difference, but now I think about it......Great Idea

Thanks BigSlick

Thanks for everyones comments.

If anyone else has anything to add to this ......... jump right in and tell us what yr thinkin!!!

tjhands · September 12, 2005, 08:05 AM

Currently in the process of doing this. I just got a new gun this past weekend and have loaded 4 batches of 15 rounds, each batch going up 4/10ths of a grain. Once I find the most accurate of those, I will go plus and minus 2/10ths of the most accurate batch to fine tune things even more.

Dave R · September 12, 2005, 10:58 PM

FWIW, Speer No. 13 says their statisticians tell them that a 7 shot group for each load will give you the most statistically valid data with the fewest number of shots.

Jeeper · September 12, 2005, 11:25 PM

For most accuracy stuff I load about 5-10. For USPSA/IDPA loads I do about 50-100 since I want to test recoil and function and accuracy. I load with a lot less variables now than when I started.

September 10, 2005, 12:16 AM	#1
Dead-Nuts-Zero Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2004 Posts: 579	Working up New Loads, How many do you build? I have loaded plenty but it's been awhile. I had always loaded for revolvers in the past. I loaded 5 or 6 rounds of a starting load and then increased it slightly with the next 5 or 6 rounds etc. I carefully mark them as to their contents and take them to the range the next time out. I figure 5 is a nice round odd number and 6 is usually the cylinder capicity. I think it takes one or two shots to condition the barrel for a new load and then I have 3 or 4 to group on the paper target. I did not use a Chrony before, but I will be using one from now on. How many rounds do you build for one sequence of test firing? __________________ . . BANG------------ >>> !

September 10, 2005, 01:50 AM	#2
BigSlick Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Texas of course Posts: 277	For rifle, I usually work up about 10 rounds of each charge. When I find the one that shoots best on paper, I start working with different mfr bullets (same weight) and slight variances in seating depth, with that charge. When I find a combo I like, I then back off a little on the charge and try different primers and work up slowly again to fine tune the final load. For pistol, same drill with a lesser number of bullet options, usually no more than four. I usually use Winchester Primers on all my pistol loads except 50 AE and 500 mag. CCI's seem to work a little better (for me) with slower powders at heavier charges. If I find one mfr bullet shoots as good as another, I go with the cheaper of the two. When I find a load I like, I will load enough rifle to cover a day out sighting in and about a box for the next hunt. For pistol, I'll load five or six boxes, unless I'm close to running out of a particular pound of powder. The I will use the rest of it. Next batch of powder (usually a different lot number) I will use the same components, load a few backing the charge off slightly to allow for lot to lot variance. If I don't find a problem, I'll go back to the sweet spot from the last lot and carry on. FWIW, BigSlick __________________ Nobody likes war, but if you find yourself in one - fight for those you serve with and to make the trip home. Show mercy to those that deserve it and a relentless, ruthless, cunning evil to those who don't.

September 10, 2005, 08:59 AM	#3
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	I like a few more for my revolvers I will load 24 that gives me 4 full loads to give the gun time to see if it likes them or not.Have seen times when you switch ammo takes the gun a few rounds to settle down with the new stuff and shoot right. __________________ Russ5924

September 10, 2005, 10:18 AM	#4
J.D.B. Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2005 Posts: 242	Usually ten per test-lot here. For revolver , 12. Josh __________________ "It's not the arrow, it's the indian!"

September 11, 2005, 12:31 AM	#5
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	Test loads Dead-Nuts-Zero--BigSlick has it right on, and covered everything. 'Cept I make up 10 of each for my handguns, too, but that's just "individual differences" at work. Good on you to get a chrono. They help a lot. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe

September 12, 2005, 12:22 AM	#6
Dead-Nuts-Zero Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2004 Posts: 579	Smokey Joe...I too like the ideas that BigSlick posted. I do it somewhat the same, but I have never tried playing with different primers. I guess I didn't think there was much difference amoung brands. I am not yet into the x-tra x-tra x-tra fine tuning of my loads for handgun. I think once I get my chrony, I will see that not all primers are created equal. Another idea I picked up from his post is the powder lot numbers. I didn't expect there would be any notable difference, but now I think about it......Great Idea Thanks BigSlick Thanks for everyones comments. If anyone else has anything to add to this ......... jump right in and tell us what yr thinkin!!! __________________ . . BANG------------ >>> !

September 12, 2005, 08:05 AM	#7
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	Currently in the process of doing this. I just got a new gun this past weekend and have loaded 4 batches of 15 rounds, each batch going up 4/10ths of a grain. Once I find the most accurate of those, I will go plus and minus 2/10ths of the most accurate batch to fine tune things even more. __________________ "If the sole purpose of handguns is to kill people, then mine are all defective." - Uncle Ted Nugent

September 12, 2005, 10:58 PM	#8
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	FWIW, Speer No. 13 says their statisticians tell them that a 7 shot group for each load will give you the most statistically valid data with the fewest number of shots. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

September 12, 2005, 11:25 PM	#9
Jeeper Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 776	For most accuracy stuff I load about 5-10. For USPSA/IDPA loads I do about 50-100 since I want to test recoil and function and accuracy. I load with a lot less variables now than when I started. __________________ Gun control theory - A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.