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Posted: 12/7/2014 12:51:09 AM EDT
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Just getting into reloading 223 and was wondering for finding the best bullet with how much powder how many bullet do you load at a time then test accuracy before changing the amount of powder. 10, 20, 30?? |
| I do 5 per charge. I shoot through a chronograph at a target. I usually do not accomplish everything in one trip to the range. I start shooting with low powder charges and if the velocity is much less than expected I don't shoot all 5. When velocity starts to get into expected velocity ranges I also look at accuracy. I only make a few 5 round tests usually 5 or 6 groups of 5, If you try 1-3 tenths increments from start charges up to maximum book charges you'll end up shooting a lot of test rounds and take all day shooting them and in the process use a lot of bullets and primers. If I find a promising load in the velocity range that shows good accuracy I usually load another test group at one tenth grain intervals a little below and slightly above my previous promising load. Sometimes in the 1st load test I find good velocity and accuracy in one range trip but usually it takes me two trips. Then I load my best load and do a triple check the next range trip to make sure they still produce the accuracy as before. Then I use this load for that powder and bullet combination for years hopefully. Just my method. |
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In reality, I know what my load is most likely to be before I load a single round.
Research the cartridge and the loads in manuals and web sites. Ask for help on loadings on reloading forums like these. Do you really know nothing about which bullet to use, or which powders are most appropriate? Even if the cartridge is totally new to you, we can still help before you buy anything or load anything. For example, what do you plan to use the cartridges for? Surely you know that. We can tell you which bullets are best for whatever your application. It is through this kind of study or research that you can narrow down a vast field of choices to just a few component and powder types and a fairly small range of powder charges. Really, this is hugely important. I typically load about 20, or even 50, of what I know to be a mild/midrange load for the new cartridge. These allow me to zero the new rifle and get a handle on group size for what is a typical, appropriate load. Of course, every single case, especially the first few, is inspected for signs of pressure. I will typically also load enough for ladder test. After that, I am usually tired and have tons of data to analyze. I take keep targets and segregate the cases. |
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Quoted: Just getting into reloading 223 and was wondering for finding the best bullet with how much powder how many bullet do you load at a time then test accuracy before changing the amount of powder. 10, 20, 30??  I suggest you do some reading in a reloading manual. Lyman 49 is a good one. The front part will explain the tools used, press, dies, ect, and the components. Brass, bullets, powder, primers. The back part will have the loads you use. Each bullet will have lists of powders and how much to use. You should begin loading at the "start" load, lowest charge listed. Load 3 at this level. Continue to load 3 at each step until you are half way to the max listed charge. (or the highest charge you are comfortable with) At the half way point, load 5 or 10 at each step. Be sure to shoot groups to see what load your rifle likes best. As you work up watch for pressure signs. (page 46 in Lyman 49) Be sure to do some reading at the top of the page. FAQ's and in Tutorials, look for the 4 part "how to load 223" posts.
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| I do 3 until I get close, then more. If 3 is bad 5 won't make it better. Problem with 3 is, you may get two touching and a flyer and it may be that the two touching is by happenstance and it may in reality be a bad load. Problem with me is I have too many choices. The upside to that is you usually find something that works. A true game of tradeoffs. |
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If the OP was loading a wildcat, or some such oddball cartridge, the recommendations might be different. He's reloading for 223 - a very well understood cartridge. There are the equivalent of "industry standard" reloading recipes for this cartridge.
What bullet are you planning for? What powder and primers do you have? |
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