re-loads- accuracy question

[Harley Fan]

forgot to post this- I'm retiring the Lee loader. There are two things IMO that the Lee loader doesn't do- re-sizes all the case, and there's no way to be consistent with the crimp.

My son's birthday is in July, mine June. We laid plans to get some decent equipment, and in the interim, I'm thinking about a single stage press.

 

[Bkreutz]

I want to add to this discussion by saying that shooting different loads and comparing the accuracy is not always like one would think they would be. An example is that I just switched over to Autocomp because of the unavailability of W231. With 231 my most accurate load is 0.1gr below maximum published, with Titegroup it's 0.2gr below maximum so when I switched to Autocomp I was expecting a similar result. As usual I loaded 50 rounds each starting at 4.8 and going up to 5.4. I shoot action pistol matches (IDPA, USPSA, SCSC) so I don't measure accuracy with a rest or slow firing since I never do that, instead I shoot 5 shot groups on a shot timer at the same target ranging from 7 to 25 yards because this replicates how I will be shooting the ammo. The surprise came when the best results came from 5.0gr, 0.2 above minimum. One never knows until you actually test the load. Just my .02 ($ not gr)

 

[Pocketfisherman]

I have found in 38 special that .2 grain can make a big difference in accuracy with some powders. What I typically do is build 15 rounds of each .2 grain increment of powder weight starting with the minimum load working up to max. Then off to the range to shoot from a rest. Usually I'll find the most accurate charge weight at around the 60-75% area of charge weight range for that load. Be aware that your grip, even from a rest can have a big factor on how the rounds group. Be consistent with your grip going so far as to take the gun out of your hand and re-establish your grip between each round. I recently worked up a load for 38 spcl 148 grn plated double ended wad cutters with W231 powder. Started at 2.4 grains and worked up to 3.6 in .2 grn increments. I found a good group at 2.8 grns, but an even tighter group at 3.4 grns, so that is what I'll be using for that 4" Ruger Blackhawk. Every gun is different, and the beauty of this hobby is that you can experiment and find what works best in your gun, usually exceeding the performance of factory ammo.