Load development questions

[762cavalier]

OK I have been reloading for almost 2 years now. Mostly just plinking ammo for my Arisaka and K31. I want to start developing a load for my AR with accuracy in mind. How do I go about this. I will be using either Varget or BL-c2 and 69 grain SMK in a 1/7 twist 16" upper. Can someone give me the rundown on how to start load development,i.e. powder increments, seating depths etc.

[Cazach]

I am sure there are a million variants of this, but here is what I do:

1. Consult multiple sources for load data (2-3 books typically)
2. Start with load near the bottom of the scale and work up in half grain increments. (some may use a better resolution like tenth of a grain)
3. Test fire and check for performance and safety
4. Take the best performing load (or range of loads) and fine tune the powder
5. Repeat step # 3
6. Tinker with seating depth, oal etc.
7. Repeat step # 3

Everyone has their own bugaboos about sorting, cleaning and prepping brass, and my only comment here is whatever your routine, keep it consistent throughout this process. IMHO this is the last variable you play with as generally you get the least amount of performance from these tasks.

[brando]

Just remember that velocity doesn't always mean accuracy. My two most accurate .223 loads are not at the high-end of the velocity/pressure max.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Some rifles and loads are just given facts.. for the AR and Varget and 69gr SMK's (especially for HighPowerCompetition) you simply use 24.0 - 25.0 Varget.. seat the bullets out to mag length (if you want to shoot rapid fire) and have at it.. for slow fire, single shot shooting.. seat .020" off the lands......

[PistolPete75]

consistant brass length, powder charge, and oal is key for precision loads. use bthp type bullets, smk or nosler cc.

get competition seating dies like a forestor micrometer die.

electronic powder dispenser will save you alot of time.

if you can splurge, go straight to the giraud trimmer, which trims, chamfer, and deburs at the same time!

get descent brass, and stick with one brand of brass. don't mix.

varget and rl15 type powder are more consistant in velocities than temperature sensitive type powders like imr4064.

[30Cal]

With a match bullet, you should not have to work hard at all to get well inside 1MoA using standard reloading gear.

I do all my load development with worst case stuff--I pick out oddball cases, bullets, etc and intentionally vary my powder charges by much more than I expect to see out of my powder measure (this is one of the few cases where I'll bother weighing individual charges).

[6079Winston]

Some things, like most matchking /AR combo's have been pretty well worked out. For more combinations visit www.njhighpower.com or www.whiteoakprecision.com. Other advice would would be to try other brands and weights of bullets if you don't get the results you want with the 69gr sierra, some rifles show a preference. Don't forget to get and use a cartridge headspace gauge to make sure you are resizing (full length or small base, depending on the depth of your paranoia) your brass enough to chamber easily but not so much as to create excessive headspace (pretty hard to do). Also seat your primers to the bottom of the pocket and make sure they do not protrude above the case head. High primers and incorrect cartridge headspace don't play well with autoloaders.

[Pthfndr]

Some rifles and loads are just given facts.. for the AR and Varget and 69gr SMK's (especially for HighPowerCompetition) you simply use 24.0 - 25.0 Varget.. seat the bullets out to mag length (if you want to shoot rapid fire) and have at it.. for slow fire, single shot shooting.. seat .020" off the lands......

+1 to what HPS said. Probably 95% of High Power shooters using an AR use either Varget or Reloader 15 in the 24.0-25.0gr range with a 69gr SMK when seated to mag length. Those 2 powders are virtually interchangeable, and both offer excellent stability over a wide temp range. Something that cannot be said about ball powders.

Unless you are going to shoot the heavy bullets (80gr SMK, etc) don't even mess around with seating depths. The lighter, shorter bullets won't get close to the lands. Seat to mag length.

[Fjold]

Concentrate on one thing,

Consistency

Make everything the same;
Brass dimensions, prep etc.
Powder charge
Cartridge overall length
Primer seating depth
Neck tension
etc.

Once you find the load that your gun likes, absloute consistency is the last step.

[30Cal]

Concentrate on one thing,

Consistency

Make everything the same;
Brass dimensions, prep etc.
Powder charge
Cartridge overall length
Primer seating depth
Neck tension
etc.

Once you find the load that your gun likes, absloute consistency is the last step.

I do the exact opposite for load development. That way, it'll always be better. I'm not interested in a load that works only when everything is perfectly aligned.

Ty

[want_ar]

To cut down on load development time, you might want to get a Sierra reloading manual. They specify accuracy and hunting loads. Their accuracy load is generally a good estimate of what powder/weight works best for a certain caliber/bullet weight.

Shoot me a PM if you want me to look up recommended loads for a certain caliber/bullet weight (verify before use of course).