Testing loads questions

[drakeslayer]

I've been loading up some .38spl and .45 acp using a couple different bullets 3 different powders and have a few questions on how to handle testing loads.
I've started at the bottom of the scale given for powder and bullet and Im using OAL given by either book or bullet mfg.

1. Who chronos their new loads?
2. What yardage do you like to test loads at? Today I did 10 yards as most of my shooting is 10-25 yards.
3. Is it common to see improved accuracy when increasing the charge. I ask this as some shot great at the bottom of charge while others not so much.

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[Local Loader]

1. yes
2. 25-100
3. sometimes but not always, higher charge will change the ballistics of the bullet but if not seated properly the charge might not matter as much. It can also depend on what you're shooting it out of. Some guns like higher charges, some lower, and some midrange, if you are trying to match factory ammo for universal use than you'll need to know the charge load and velocity.

 

[dangerranger60]

With rifle rounds accuracy is usually best near the highest velocity. Handgun rounds not so much.
In handgun rounds I'm usually happiest with loads that give the lowest velocity spread. sometimes that is at the top sometimes near the mid-range velocity.
I do chrono my loads. And I test at 25 yds.
Are you making loads for target shooting? plinking? Hunting or SD?

 

[Joe13]

I don't reload (yet?) but I can say that the point of impact relative to my sights on a 6" GP100 is greatly affected at even 7yards depending on if I am shooting .38sp or .357mag out of it.


Sights are dialed for .357 mag so those generally go exactly where I'm pointing.

I noticed this last trip that even trying different .38sp rounds that they would almost always be lower on the target. I even mixed .38's and .357 in the same cylinder to see if I was flinching it or something.


So no I don't have a chrono.

I test my handguns when new or with new ammo at 25 feet. Rifles at 100 yards.

I know my buddies hand loads for .308 shoot about 1/2 moa in his gun as well as mine all the way out to 1000 yards.

Factory ammo that is very close but not exactly the same and at 300 yards it's closer to 3/4 - 1 moa from that same rifle.

 

[drakeslayer]

With rifle rounds accuracy is usually best near the highest velocity. Handgun rounds not so much.
In handgun rounds I'm usually happiest with loads that give the lowest velocity spread. sometimes that is at the top sometimes near the mid-range velocity.
I do chrono my loads. And I test at 25 yds.
Are you making loads for target shooting? plinking? Hunting or SD?

Plinking rounds and shoots at my local range like speed skill, bowling pin, and a few others.

 

[tac]

I've been loading up some .38spl and .45 acp using a couple different bullets 3 different powders and have a few questions on how to handle testing loads.
I've started at the bottom of the scale given for powder and bullet and Im using OAL given by either book or bullet mfg.

1. Who chronos their new loads?
2. What yardage do you like to test loads at? Today I did 10 yards as most of my shooting is 10-25 yards.
3. Is it common to see improved accuracy when increasing the charge. I ask this as some shot great at the bottom of charge while others not so much.

1. I do, always.

2. Handgun at 25mm rifles at 100m.

3. It goes up to optimum, then down. I stop at optimum. It shoots best wherever it shoots best. My best load for a 20" bbl .577cal carbine is way less than that of a full-length rifle.

 

[P7M13]

1. Who chronos their new loads?
2. What yardage do you like to test loads at? Today I did 10 yards as most of my shooting is 10-25 yards.
3. Is it common to see improved accuracy when increasing the charge. I ask this as some shot great at the bottom of charge while others not so much.

1. For pistol, I do after I find the most accurate load. For rifle, a Chrono is integral to the load development process.
2. Pistol, 25 yards. Rifle, 100 & 300.
3. That varies widely with the variables of gun, cartridge, bullet and powder selection. Rarely is the fastest load the most accurate.

For pistol load development, I recommend you increase your powder by 0.2gr per stage.

 

[dangerranger60]

Plinking rounds and shoots at my local range like speed skill, bowling pin, and a few others.

For plinking rounds I look for the powder that gives the most loads per pound. and the cheapest bullet.
I cast my own bullets for about 3 cents per bullet. The best plinking powder I have found is TiteGroup. It is a very fast burning powder and takes very little to push a bullet up to an acceptable speed. Its downside is it takes so little that if not careful most pistol cases can hold a double, or even a triple charge without overflowing the case. So you have to be careful with it. Without looking at my notes I was getting over 2000 loads from a pound. at plinking levels, it goes a long way.
For bowling pin matches I look for the heaviest bullet I can shoot with a blunt end on it. The blunt end seems to grip the pins. The heavy bullets seem to work best with a slower powder.
Speed steel is another game that works well with plinking level ammo. you don't have to knock down targets , just hit them.
good Luck, and let us know how it goes. DR