How many do you load for testing
- Thread starter johnnyjr
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15 per powder charge increment shooting 3 5 shot groups. I take the average of those groups. Then reshoot the 2 best averages. With 25 round each 5 5 shot groups. Then reshooting that for another 25rounds to verify the accuracy.
sourdough44
Member
I don’t have a set number, say you load 50, revolver, test 10-15, you still have the rest for later. With a semi-auto, if to lite, may not cycle reliably.
I was just testing some loads with new to me guns in 32 H&R, and 327 Fed. I also like to inspect the last round in the cylinder before firing, make sure the crimp is holding.
In one wants to test different powder charges, could take a few batches.
I was just testing some loads with new to me guns in 32 H&R, and 327 Fed. I also like to inspect the last round in the cylinder before firing, make sure the crimp is holding.
In one wants to test different powder charges, could take a few batches.
When I did more testing than I do today, it was 10 rounds of at least three or four loads, researched in the loading books at that time. Rounds spaced and marked in an ammo box. Made a lot of notes. I don't test these days, just load from my notes. Reading the newest reloading books, too.
.38SuperMan
Member
I load 12, 6 to chronograph and 6 from a rest. If I have multiple guns of the same caliber I’ll test in several guns and as always make notes. I’m looking at velocity, pressure signs but I’m almost never loading near max, how clean the charge burns, any unturned powder, accuracy and recoil / comfort as I have arthritis in my hands and wrists. I’m also looking at plated, lead and polymer coated in different weights and how they interactvv VF with the above.
I find a lot of powders at near minimum loads burns very dirty and incomplete leaving a lot of soot and I burned powder. Also some powders produce more recoil at the same velocities as other powders that are lower recoil.
I find a lot of powders at near minimum loads burns very dirty and incomplete leaving a lot of soot and I burned powder. Also some powders produce more recoil at the same velocities as other powders that are lower recoil.
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Due to the paucity of loading supplies (primers primarily, and powders), I’ve been limiting new load development to five rounds/powder ladder increment. Select the best accuracy and chronograph performance for further testing and tuning to a specific firearm.
Usually, for velocity testing....
...3 to 5 in an ammo box. Each row is an increment, probably increase of .2 grains/row for pistols. Testing accuracy takes more. If I like something I make more. The last round I tested was a 95 grain bullet in 9mm. I had a max load I was testing in pistols and carbine for accuracy and velocity so I made about 50. My first batch was great, around 1700 fps out of a carbine. My next batch wasn't as good, but I'm trying to find the reason. I may have to pull some bullets I made more to test next time out.
...3 to 5 in an ammo box. Each row is an increment, probably increase of .2 grains/row for pistols. Testing accuracy takes more. If I like something I make more. The last round I tested was a 95 grain bullet in 9mm. I had a max load I was testing in pistols and carbine for accuracy and velocity so I made about 50. My first batch was great, around 1700 fps out of a carbine. My next batch wasn't as good, but I'm trying to find the reason. I may have to pull some bullets I made more to test next time out.
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twodog max
Member
Most of my testing these days are rifle cast bullet loads. I usually load 10 to test a new bullet. That way a couple of 5 shot groups get me on the path. I also can test how they feed through my lever guns.
If I do not get rained out I got 10 of a new bullet in the 45/70 I may try this morning.
If I do not get rained out I got 10 of a new bullet in the 45/70 I may try this morning.
sourdough44
Member
Another thing I think about is the cartridge itself, talking about age & pressure limits. Take the 38 special, a very old, and low pressure round.
Say I’m loading for a very modern 38 special revolver, or as is often the case, a 357 gun. I don’t mind starting right near the top of the data, may or may not be the +p column. I just don’t feel the need to spend much time at starting charge levels, unless I want true bunny fart loads.
Now jump to the newer, high pressure 327 Federal round, loaded some recently. With that I loaded right at the starting level with Hodgdon Universal. Even that was a fair bit more than top end 32 H&R mag loads.
That starting level was about right for me, plenty in a lighter gun.
Say I’m loading for a very modern 38 special revolver, or as is often the case, a 357 gun. I don’t mind starting right near the top of the data, may or may not be the +p column. I just don’t feel the need to spend much time at starting charge levels, unless I want true bunny fart loads.
Now jump to the newer, high pressure 327 Federal round, loaded some recently. With that I loaded right at the starting level with Hodgdon Universal. Even that was a fair bit more than top end 32 H&R mag loads.
That starting level was about right for me, plenty in a lighter gun.
For initial load development, I usually load 10 rounds in each increment of powder charge. Once I find the velocity range I am seeking, 20-25 of the final two to four increments for both velocity and accuracy testing. If it ain't accurate, velocity means very little to me.
gwpercle
Member
I load at least 25 ... and shoot 5 five shot groups on paper targets .
On the targets I write the load data and number them 1 through 5 .
I keep and use these for reference ...
This may seem like a lot of shots but for realy testing a load ...
it seperates the good'uns from the not so good un's .
You need to shoot enough shots to tell the true story of a load ...
some 3 and 5 shot groups are just flukes and not indicative of it's real grouping ability . Better to shoot more than shoot less .
Gary
On the targets I write the load data and number them 1 through 5 .
I keep and use these for reference ...
This may seem like a lot of shots but for realy testing a load ...
it seperates the good'uns from the not so good un's .
You need to shoot enough shots to tell the true story of a load ...
some 3 and 5 shot groups are just flukes and not indicative of it's real grouping ability . Better to shoot more than shoot less .
Gary
Are you just shooting targets at different yardage,
or are you also checking out the fps of your loads.
Two cylinders of a load will start to give you results, in my 686 revolver.
or are you also checking out the fps of your loads.
Two cylinders of a load will start to give you results, in my 686 revolver.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Is this new adventure in .38 Special or you are just changing powders?
I have a 686 Plus (seven shooter) so 14 rounds of each loading. I could not find Bullseye so I had to do W231 and I have not used that powder in 30+ years. I did one batch with 4.0 and the other was 4.4. 4.0 was the best so I repeated the Test. This time with 14 of 4.0 and the second batch of 4.2. Once again 4.0 was the better load.
At 25 yards is the best way to test loads JMHO because I shot PPC Competition.
The other thing you can post what powders you have and ask others and you will get lots of tips.
The 158 grain lead bullet has been very popular for 80 years so you will get a lot of tips. An example is 3.5 grains of Bullseye great accuracy but 3.8 and 4.2 is good too.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
For a 1911 pistol I do five shot groups.
But for revolvers if it is a six shooter I do six shot groups. My 686 Plus I do seven shot groups.
But for revolvers if it is a six shooter I do six shot groups. My 686 Plus I do seven shot groups.
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A Chronograph is pretty much essential as well. Without one, you will not really have hard data.
venomballistics
Member
I typically do strings of 10 AND 15.
You have this fairly fresh new load, so expect it to be in business for itself. we start the string with 15, as we will probably be chasing a bullet hole to start.
this should produce at least a 5 shot group to represent the starting load.
the rest are groups of 10 to represent each subsequent level.
You have this fairly fresh new load, so expect it to be in business for itself. we start the string with 15, as we will probably be chasing a bullet hole to start.
this should produce at least a 5 shot group to represent the starting load.
the rest are groups of 10 to represent each subsequent level.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
If you are loading with common weight bullets and like older types of powder, get hold of a Layman #45 loading manual. It has the most accurate load per bullet, and often Factory duplication loads.
Sierra manual 2 & 3 have similar for the bullets they make.
Ivan
Sierra manual 2 & 3 have similar for the bullets they make.
Ivan
