New Loads

[sjs]

Three questions please:

1. When working up a load for accuracy with a new revolver, how many rounds do you typically test to feel confident that a given load is or is not a good one?

2. Also, do you think a revolver barrel needs to be conditioned by fouling shots as do rifle barrels?

3. Do you test the entire spectrum of loads for that powder/bullet/primer or do you tend to start with higher, or lower end loads when looking for accuracy?

 

[rockquarry]

Three questions please:

1. When working up a load for accuracy with a new revolver, how many rounds do you typically test to feel confident that a given load is or is not a good one?

2. Also, do you think a revolver barrel needs to be conditioned by fouling shots as do rifle barrels?

3. Do you test the entire spectrum of loads for that powder/bullet/primer or do you tend to start with higher, or lower end loads when looking for accuracy?

I fire ten-shot groups benchrested at 25 yards with each load. Loads that show promise are loaded again and re-fired for verification.

Some revolver barrels don't need fouling shots, some do, but I don't recall ever needing more than one to keep subsequent bullets in a group. However, I seldom shoot anything but my own cast bullets. Probably the same for jacketed bullets, but I can't say for sure.

As for "entire spectrum", I start with a moderate load and work up toward maximum. I go with the most accurate load, whether it's maximum or below maximum.

It's important to do all group shooting benchrested at 25 yards. It's a waste of time and components to shoot at shorter distances where all loads are accurate and all shooters are experts.

 

[boatbum101]

I go to even more extremes as I'm either looking for a hunting load ( good speed with accuracy for that bullet ) or a target load ( group size ) . Handguns ( except CCW ) I test @ 50yds 30 round groups , CCW if I can keep a mag dump on a paper plate @ 25yds , that load will work .

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

One of the most important things is have ALL the copper fouling cleaned out when shooting lead bullets, and have ALL of the lead fouling cleaned out when shooting jacketed bullets!

Ivan

 

[rockquarry]

I go to even more extremes as I'm either looking for a hunting load ( good speed with accuracy for that bullet ) or a target load ( group size ) . Handguns ( except CCW ) I test @ 50yds 30 round groups , CCW if I can keep a mag dump on a paper plate @ 25yds , that load will work .

Agreed, fifty yards is certainly best, but many shooters lack the bench technique, shooting skill and eyesight to benefit from fifty-yard group shooting.

I guess one could use a scope or some other optical gadget, but I think these ruin the clean-line looks, purpose, compactness, and practicality of a revolver, though they would be an asset for load testing only.

25-yard group shooting is a happy medium, but for the very proficient handgun shooters with good eyes using iron sights, 50 yards is the way to go.

Getting a little off topic here, but targets are important. One size for everything doesn't work well. Shoot the smallest bullseye, square, or what have design that you can clearly see without straining at whatever distance you are shooting. Your groups will be smaller.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I do 10 shots @25yards from a rest to check for am accurate load. I usually shoot 1 round before I test but also keep track of those rounds to know cold clean bore changes. ( usually not much if any change in a pistol)

 

[rockquarry]

One of the most important things is have ALL the copper fouling cleaned out when shooting lead bullets, and have ALL of the lead fouling cleaned out when shooting jacketed bullets!

Ivan

I know this is often stated and it may be true and necessary with some guns, but I've yet to see any basis for it. An exception might be a neglected bore that has an excess of any type of fouling. Of course that should be cleaned, but not necessarily to bare metal, depending on the gun.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I do 10 yards for chrony work with a full cylinder.......... ( I'm cheap )

Final test at 25 yards with 10 rounds and top loads will go to 50 yards if for hunting. ( stock iron sights ) on all my revolvers.

I also shoot the same load three or more times (3) with one of the cylinders marked................
to see if one or more of the revolvers cylinders is more accurate than the others
and places the load at my POA.

I just use my wifes, pink finger nail polish............ that does not harm the cylinder.

With 54 years of reloading rifle, shotgun, pistols & revolvers .....
I have 98% of my data logged and only need workups on new
bullets or guns into the family.

This friday will be a test with my DnL's new 9mm pistol, if things work out
plus a test for me with a new poly coated 115 gr lead RN bullet.

 

[mikld]

K.I.S.S.! I reload a minimum of "twos". For revolvers, two cylinders full of handloads, all the same loads. Semi-autos, two magazines, with 7-8 rounds per magazine (a couple of my 9mms have 17 round capacity and that is more than I need). Rifles, two magazines full. This gives me a good idea of where to go next. May sound slow and tedious, but I like reloading, all aspects from processing brass to reviewing and recording results...

 

[Biggfoot44]

I have enough knowledge of my abilities with two hand braced @ 25 yds to be confident in my load evaluations .

Usually I have an accuracy goal in mind. If I meet that , I will usually declare Victory at that point .

 

[Nevada Ed]

It also depends if the loads will be shot off hand..........

sitting with sand bags............

or walking for an hour after game ?

Each has it's special type of accuracy needed and what can be expected.

 

[sjs]

It also depends if the loads will be shot off hand..........

sitting with sand bags............

or walking for an hour after game ?

Each has it's special type of accuracy needed and what can be expected.

If it is going to be used off hand while walking/hunting at short range do you test accuracy off hand or only off the bench?

 

[rockquarry]

If it is going to be used off hand while walking/hunting at short range do you test accuracy off hand or only off the bench?

The bench shooting, if done right, will tell you whether or not your load is accurate. If it is, then do offhand practice with it.

 

[gwpercle]

1.) Testing is done with 50 shots . 4 targets - 10 shots each @25 yds . handheld with a good rest for my arms ...but not resting the gun on a solid surface .
I'm looking for one ragged hole about 1 1/2" inch in diameter .
If I see that ... I shot target #5 - 10 shots and really concentrate .
You don't want loads that string out or have wild fliers .
All of this was done in the days of cheap , unlimited primer & powder supply ... If you don't have primers ... I don't know what to tell you .

2.) Not as important as rifle . Short range and short barrel . In NRA Bullseye Match you had shots to sight-in and foul the bore ...take them . In a defensive shooting situation ... don't worry about a fouling shot ...you could fire a "Warning" shot but that might be sorta sketchy .

3,) Except for 38 special Target Wadcutter loads with 2.5 to 3.0 grs. Bullseye powder ... I have found starting in the middle , half way between minimum and maximum , puts you in a range closer to best accuracy with mid and upper range loads than starting at minimum and working slowly up ....you waste a lot of P & P (powder & primers) , Accurate mid range loads usually fall between the middle and towards the Maximum ... But Not Always ...So I start in the middle and work a little higher and a little lower and let the groups tell me where they want to go .
There are many Tried and True loads that just work ...Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton have some loads like that ...pay attention to the old guys , they knew their stuff .
Gary

 

[DWalt]

The statistically-correct answer is to fire at least five-10 shot groups, and take the average of the extreme spreads of each group. But most won't want to expend that much ammo. If so, I recommend using the average ES of two-10 shot groups. Five-shot groups tell you little, at least from a statistical reliability perspective, unless you fire 20 or so groups and take the average ES.

Remember that firing a single 10-shot group is the approximate statistical equivalent of firing five 5-shot groups. And, believe it or not, that is a mathematical fact.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If it is going to be used off hand while walking/hunting at short range do you test accuracy off hand or only off the bench?

My test usually are done by targets, with chrony data with
sand bag and standing off hand shots, to see what is taking place.

The loads 1st have to qulify as "Good" or better than the rest of my test on paper.
If for hunting, bullet energy is #1 with accuracy #2.

Any load that clears the muzzle is good enough for waper work.

 

[glenwolde]

I don't do much testing any more. I've been reloading for a long time and have worked up enough loads that I don't really need to.

When I did it, I'd load 25 rounds. I fired five shot groups at 25 yards at a 2" white square with a 1" black border. I'm looking for sub 2" groups. I start low and work up. I only shoot cast bullets.

Anything under 2" is good for me.

 

[dave1918a2]

I load 6 rounds of each load and shoot bench rested at 50 yards. Pretty much sorts them out.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Just a heads up.........

Vibrated my 357 magnum cases and put them in my 100 count plastic box.

Low and behold... eight of the priming holes were blocked with walnut parts.
Glad that I caught that !!

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

I generally shoot 12 rounds (or two cylinders worth) of ammo at 25 yards and chronograph them at the same time. Good loads then get shot at 50 yards and further. Good loads at 25 yards generally hold well out to a couple of hundred yards.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

Just a heads up.........

Vibrated my 357 magnum cases and put them in my 100 count plastic box.

Low and behold... eight of the priming holes were blocked with walnut parts.
Glad that I caught that !!

I always vibrate my cases with the fired primer still in the case. De priming after vibrating then pushes any media out of the flash hole, although a visual inspection never hurts.