How many to load for data ?

[bob.dakeelstripe]

I am about to roll my first loads next week.

I have decided to start with .380
Because im out [emoji26]and because they want .36 each before i banned walmart.

The ginnie pig will be a very tight only 100 rounds old P238.

When tring to work out the load you like. How many of each recipe do you make to test with?
Especially when your on the low side and cycling may be an issue.

Thanks
Bob

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[sghart]

I usually load 9-12 rounds for each step. That way I don't have a bunch of leftovers if something doesn't work.

But a few years ago I set up a small box with a portable set up to take to the range. It is really only a Lee hand press with dies, powder, digital scale, a funnel, etc. I have the brass all sized, trimmed and primed, ready to load. That way I can try one powder charge at a time and work up or down.

Here's an example. My son loads for a PTR in .308W. This rifle has a fluted chamber and can chew up commercial brass. We took my travelling reloading show along with a bunch of sized and primed Lake City brass to an outdoor rifle range.

We started at the max load and went down in powder weight until the action would not cycle. We then went up 2 grains and now have a load that is reliable and accurate and also saves powder and brass.

Best of luck.

[kteas1]

I always 10 round it. Let's say manual says

Starting 3.8

Max 4.6

Will take and start with
10x 3.8
10x 4.0
10x 4.2
10x etc. At, . 2gr steps to max.

With each step from low to high, I look at the primers for high pressure signs. Flattened, cratered primers. I never start at max, but then I'm kind of safety cautious. First shot of each step is a safety check, inspect Brass for high pressure signs, then shoot two and check those two again. Powder charge is not the only thing that can raise pressures, very tight crimp, OAL, etc. Safety always comes before desired velocities. Then if I'm plinking, I find a comfortable mid to low range load. Saves me wear and tear on brass, and gun, and steel targets.

If your new to loading, read, read, read.

Reloading is fun and safe if you have knowledge mixed with common sense, and always make safety a priority. Never be in to big of a hurry to work up a load. It always beats buying a new gun, and letting the stitches heal during waiting period. Once I believe I have my desired load, then I make 100 rounds. If it continues to perform well and I like it. I make a thousand.

[bob.dakeelstripe]

Thanks guys i have been reading up for about a year. Im starting with new brass and a simple recipe. Have a good set of calipers due in today. With the 380 the min and max charge are only a couple tenths different so i have a beam and electric scale to double check.

I am finding the hard part of this hobby IS for every piece of info in a book there are 50 people contradicting it.

Sign on the times i suppose.

I just want function ammo and to tell Jerry Brown to kiss my Asphalt

Thanks again
Bob !

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[tonyjr]

I generally do 3 groups of 5 for my ladder tests .
Min , middle load and then just under max .
Then I go .1 over and under the best group .

[kcstott]

well you guys aren't going to like this but I don't "work up" load for pistols.

I pick a bullet i want to use find the powder charge and load it and shoot. I have run pistol loads over a chrono all of three times. the loads never failed to hold 4-6" groups at 10-15 yards. they cycle well and are reliable. I only record what powder charge I used and what the listed velocity was on the box. There is no reason to take things further than that.

Unless you are shooting TC or XP100 there is no match grade ammo for pistols or at least no real need.

[tonyjr]

I kind of agre . We only punch paper .
Still I / We want the tightest group , cleanest gun and the least recoil
figuring the other 2 .
On the 25 , 32 and the 380 ACP's recoil is not really a problem .
On the desert eagles , load becomes important .

[DueceMcGurk]

For small pistol plinking, load development is not critical. Pick a proven recipe that fits your objective (soft vs factory) and shoot, shoot, shoot.

Having said that, I have done exhaustive load development on 45ACP, 38 Super and 9mm for my 1911's. Do it and enjoy it. Don't be surprised if you end up shooting a "classic" load. The joy is in the journey!

My approach would be very similar to Kteas1. I test a batch of 10 per test load. Split it into two 5-round mags. Shoot all variables in the first 5-round set. Then repeat with the second 5-round set.

Welcome to the world of reloading. Let us know if you need help/ideas.

[bubbala]

well you guys aren't going to like this but I don't "work up" load for pistols.

I pick a bullet i want to use find the powder charge and load it and shoot. I have run pistol loads over a chrono all of three times. the loads never failed to hold 4-6" groups at 10-15 yards. they cycle well and are reliable. I only record what powder charge I used and what the listed velocity was on the box. There is no reason to take things further than that.

Unless you are shooting TC or XP100 there is no match grade ammo for pistols or at least no real need.

i will finish the powder i have for a pistol calibre,then try another.

[Chief-7700]

10 for each powder charge, they all get run through the Chrono for power factor.

[bob.dakeelstripe]

Thanks guys the the tiny winy .. 380 is low 3.9 max is 4.1 grain

That is the 60grain lehigh data with HP-38

That little case doesn't have much tinkering room with powder.

Nosler book shows similar min and max a couple tents off.

This is why i decided to use both beam and electric scales.

May trickle the Test loads if im only doing a few.

Do you think a powder drop will stay close enough on that tight of a range ?

Thanks
Bob

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[mjmagee67]

For .380 I'd load 5 at the middle of the range and if they shoot ok and have no pressure signs, thats what I'd use. It's a .380.

I sure wouldn't do a ladder test and load a bunch up. Just get a load that works.

[Dark Hunt]

Like kcstott said, load at 4 grains and go shoot them.

[bob.dakeelstripe]

Thanks ...

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[robert101]

post #2 is mostly what I do as well. I don't work up loads in 380 or pistols much either. I pick a low power of mid-range and load about 20 rounds. I'm so familiar with my guns that I just pick a load from my custom chart and go. I really haven't bought a new gun in 5 years so no need to reinvent the wheel. I will work down a load until I hit the point of non-functioning, then go up a grain or so to make certain with will function fine. Why, because I like shooting the mild stuff most of the time.