Armory Sponsor
Posted: 8/22/2008 5:05:02 PM EDT
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When strarting this procedure, how many re-loads do you make before adjusting to the next charge? Knowing the published max charge is 23.4gr do you stop there and make 1-2 re-loads watching for pressure signs finding the limit? |
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I have a "Working up Loads" sectino here www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=469 Figure you max and min charges and make 5-10 loads total from min to max for starters, fine tune after that. |
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When I started reloading for .223, I had the benefit of a borrowed chronograph. I reloaded five for the max load for my powder and my bullet that the powder mfr. listed. Then I backed off .2 grain and loaded five. Then I backed off .2 grain more and loaded five. I did this until I got to the minimum published load. Then I took them to the range and started with the mildest load and worked up. The more powder, the more consistent by the chrono. Then I got to the point where primers were squashed and consistency went to hell. My new "load" is .2 less than that maximum. |
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I probab ly waste alot of ammo, but what the hell...It is fun I go from the lowest load published to the highest load I find others having success with. This is usually higher than the published high load. I make 2, 5 shot groups at 0.3 grain increments from the bottom to the top, watching for pressure signs along the way. When I hit on a high pressure sign, I stop and use a bullet puller on whatever remains. Doing all that, I find a couple sweet spots, and I do those over in 50 round batches starting at 0.2gr below, and going to 0.2gr above in 0.1gr increments and again at 2, 5 shot groups. I'm sure it take me longer than most to find my prefered power charge, but every group was good practice, and all fairly accurate, so I don't consider any round down range wasted. |
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