hunting load development question

[Catalyst81]

Brand new reloader here. I finally have all my powder, primers, etc., and I'm ready to reload some .308 for a Rem 700P and Vanguard .308 hunting rifle. I was going to try the load development process described here. It seems like it should work well for the heavy barrel 700P, but it seems like I'd be doing a lot of waiting testing like that with a hunting rifle. How do all of you do load development for hunting rifles that heat up quickly? Is there a better way? Do I just need to do testing over a few days? Will that alter the results too much?

[ExtremeX]

When I did load dev for my 243 Win hunting rifle all I did was find the hottest load the rifle could safely shoot first... I verified velocity through my chrony across that range just to understand what to expect. From the starting charge to about mid way up I actually only loaded 2 rounds each for Chrono results and to check pressure signs.

After that, I worked backwards from the hottest load to something that shot well.

Most of my target loads are much lower than book max, but my hunting load was actually towards the high end of the book max. I could have made it shoot tighter, but I opted to maintain a higher velocity.

Once I found what load I was going to use, then I started worrying about where my cold bore impacts were going.

It might not be the right way, or the best way, but it works for me.

[Whiterabbit]

If your barrel heats up, nothing doing except to wait a few minutes between shots. However you want to run your load development. It can take weeks, but when you are done, you KNOW where that bullet is going to go, cold bore, first shot.

Or, you just develop it hot, and go back over a few days to re-confirm and re-sight. Less confidence, much faster.

[CSACANNONEER]

IF you are using lead free bullets, DO NOT use load data for lead cored bullets of the same weight and profile. If you are loading Barnes bullets and need load data for them, please contact Barnes. They will be more than happy to help you and send you load data for their bullets.

[Whiterabbit]

Good point. I've said this many times, but Ty is the man. He has steered me wrong exactly zero times.

[CSACANNONEER]

Ty is definitely "the man"! He has dug up old load data for me that either hasn't been published or isn't in the last couple Barnes reloading manuals and emailed it to me. The one thing he could not help me with was load data for my K31.

[Divernhunter]

I do a lot of load testing. What I do is to take several rifles(3-10) with me and allow them to cool before the next set. I shoot over a Chrono and look for accuracy.
Since I am testing HUNTING rounds I test with hunting bullets I plan to use. I want speed for less bullet drop and more power etc. That is why I never waste bullets at starting levels. I go to(Barnes data) the top or near the top with all others and try the top speed powders. Why waste bullets that are going too slow. Why get 2500FPS (even if in one hole) from a cartridge that is a 3000FPS cartridge. That is a load I will never use.

I shoot 5 shot groups and usually can come up with a load(or more than one) that is fast and very accurate. If I run into a load that shoot 3-4 shots into a cloverleaf then the other farther out I will note it and maybe come back to see how it is again with the 3-5 shots.

Testing over time is a good idea.

I have spoke to Barnes people and TY many times on the phone as well as in person at the SCI Convention. Also the Swift people. Also the Hornady people at the convention. Plus mag articles from knowledgeably people.

If you let me know what cartridges you are testing for I may be able to help you sort out loads that seem to work well and some that do not for whatever reason. Just PM me with the cartridges in question.
I have no data for 270win or 243win as they are not anything I would own let alone try to hunt with. My 223 data is limited to what I use. That would be 55gr/40grV-max or BT/36 and 50gr Barnes VG. The 223 is a squirrel/yote gun and not for big game.

[Catalyst81]

Thanks for all the suggestions. This load will be lead, but its good to know to contact Barnes directly once I work up a lead free load.

[SBsasquatch]

I'm in the same boat. Albeit, 3006 but some good info here.

Divernhunter - you wouldn't happen to have any info on the old aught six would ya? Thanks

[Divernhunter]

I have lots of it. I have for Barnes 130 and 150TTSX. I have for Speer 130grHP which is my favorite Calif deer bullet. I have data for 150gr Nosler PAR and BT bullets and maybe some for 125gr BT bullets. I have for Swift 165gr A-Frame only because they do not make a 150gr A-Frame.

I have loads ready to test(hopefully Sunday) 150gr Swift Scirocco and maybe some 125BT Noslers.

Send me an E-mail and I will scan and send you what I have including targets shot using only a front sandbag. Many are quite good. I have Chrono data and the respective 5 shot targets.
My Email Dougs50cal@gmail.com and be sure to put 30-06 in the subject line.

[Fjold]

I do a lot of load development for hunting rifles from 22 caliber up to 45 caliber.

The first thing that I do is pick the bullet for the game and conditions that I want to hunt. A cross canyon deer bullet in the 308 Win has different performance requirements than a heavy pig load.

After you settle on the bullets that you want to try then it's time to start loading for velocity as every bullet has an optimum performance velocity.

Then it's time to fine tune for accuracy.

When testing at the range, bring a bunch more guns. As you've already figured out, there is a lot of waiting between test loads.

[LynnJr]

I only read part 1 but there is just way too much shooting using that method.
I would pick the bullet you plan on shooting and load up 3 rounds at 1% charge increments. In a 308 that is 0.4 grain increments.
Also as this is a hunting rifle you can't seat longer than magazine length.
Now look up a book load seat to your longest length that will function smoothly out of your magazine and start shooting 3 shot groups.
Once you have a promising load move the seating depth in 0.005 increments until best accuracy is seen.
As you can not go longer due to the magazine this shouldn't take many shots.

[SBsasquatch]

Done & done. You guys rock

[Metal God]

OCW does not account for variances in muzzle velocity that may result in relatively tight groups at close distances but may open up at long ranges. Adherents to the approach are told to focus on group size and this presents a problem at longer distances as velocity variations lead to vertical dispersion. This is not opinion but mathematical fact – just consult your ballistic calculator. As such, velocity variations have to be taken into consideration and minimized.

16. After you have carefully measured group sizes and distances and directions from the bullseye, you will know which three groups come the closest to hitting the target in the same POI. You now choose the powder charge which represents the center of this string. For example, if 34.7, 35.0, and 35.3 grains all grouped about 1.5 inches high, and about 3/4 of an inch right of the bullseye, you would choose the 35.0 grain charge as your OCW (optimal charge weight). This charge will allow 34.7 and 35.3 grain charges to group right with it. This will be a very "pressure tolerant" or "resilient" load.

17. Remember, don't get "bowled over" by a tiny group which falls outside the OCW zone. You can tune any of the groups to be tiny with bullet seating depth changes. After you have determined the OCW, you may want to try seating the bullets deeper or longer in .010" increments to see where your particular rifle does its best. I have often found that OCW recipes are so reliable that seating depth alterations--especially for hunting cartridges--often don't seem necessary.

The two bold sections seem to indicate the writer in the link did not actually read the OCW test instructions . I have found this to be true with just about every person that I've ever seen or heard talk about the OCW test . They always have changed something from the Dan Newberry original method . Now that's fine if you want to tweak the method but don't change the method then claim it does not work or you have a better way because your tweaked way did not work . .

Dan's method is specifically designed to find that velocity sweet spot in which you will not have those velocity variations .

When I read things like the link above and right off the bat the guy does not show attention to the details of what he's talking about . It causes me to question everything else he has to say .

As for the method in the link . It's not to unlike a traditional load development really . It also makes sense to shoot each 5 shot group with out breaking your position "IF" you are a military sniper . IMHO it does not really benefit a hunter .

When hunting your first cold bore shot of the day is the most important shot . So IMO the round robin method and letting your barrel cool after each shot is better . The reason is because that way of testing will best represent hunting in the field just like never breaking position will best represent snipers in the field .

I think Linn is pretty much right in his suggestions . I'm not sure you'll even need to play with seating depth though . I've found a good number of 1moa loads ( all you need for hunting ) pretty much doing as Linn suggests with out later adjusting seating depth .

[CSACANNONEER]

I just found a digital copy of some Barnes 30-06 load data. I used 55 grains of Varget under a 130 grain TXB and was able to shoot just under 1moa out of my old sporter Mauser. I hope I attached it right: