Load Testing Methods

[Kerplow]

Now that i've finally got some powder and projectiles i will soon start making some .223 loads to see what my gun likes. at this point i only have 1lb of varget and a box of 100 Sierra 69gn HPBT Match Kings so my thoughts were i would make 10 different loads of 10 rounds each and see which one does best. if i find one i like I'll buy more projectiles and load up a bunch.

Should 10 rounds of each be enough to do a decent test run? im not sure exactly how i will carry it out, maybe a couple 3 shot groups at 100 and see if i can hit the steel @ 300+ yards with the remaining 4 rounds?

what are your methods for load testing?

[Fjold]

Unless the steel plates are 3" or less in diameter shooting them at 300 yards won't tell you anything. Shoot paper and record the group sizes.


I'd load 10 rounds of a starting load of Varget and then go up in half grain increments up to about one increment below maximum. Shoot two 5 shot groups with each load and write them down. Figure out where your best groups are and load some within .2 grains above and below that. If you're best load is 20 grains (example) try 19.6 g, 19.8 g, 20.2 g, 20.4 g and see if they tighten up more.

[kmca]

And then you get to do it again with different bullets and powders. It takes a lot of patience.

[Divernhunter]

I only load 3-5 of each then shoot. I use .5 grains jumps in powder. With that I can pick the ones most promising and work on them more. I also shoot over the chronograph. Speed also matters with hunting loads. Not so for strictly target shooting loads.

[bruceflinch]

What barrel twist rate doe you have to go w/ the 69 grn bullet?

[Kerplow]

I'm running a 1-7 20" SDM from WOA. I would have liked to go heavier on the projectiles but the 69's were all I could get my hands on. The best group I've shot with the gun happened to be with 69 gn Black hills, however.

[Fyathyrio]

I like to make 20 at each powder level. 10 for the chrono and 10 for the target. Make up a batch of 100 (20 x 5 diff powder levels) and go play. Depending on results, tweak a bit like mentioned above and try again.

[uscbigdawg]

Dan Newberry Optimum Charge Weight Theory for me. Works EVERY TIME!

Rich

[10fcp]

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/#/ocw-instructions/4529817134

This is a great read here. I usually load up 5 each from low to min to max in .3 grain incriments. The good looking ones I will load 15 or so more and shoot those in seperate 5 shot groups to confirm my findings.