Load Development Process: How to Start?

[Phil3]

I am armed with all the reloading equipment I need. I have cases, primers, powders, and bullets. My local range is out to 100 yards and am shooting 223 Remington. Where does one start and what best process does one use to develop high performing loads? Select a bullet and starting powder loads and document? Select one powder and change out to different bullets? Use one bullet and specific powder load and adjust bullet seating depth? Or...? Many different variables and trying to understand the process of navigating through all of these in a logical way that gets me to high performing loads.

Appreciate the guidance.

Phil

[kmca]

Yup, you got it. For me, it's a real pain to work up a new load. I usually get tired of looking and just say "that's good enough". It's a very time consuming process, especially if you have to drive to a range. Patience is going to be your friend

You could start with a few "proven" loads and powders, but you're still going to have to run the comparisons yourself.

BTW, start with lighter powder charges (following published recipes) and work your way up. I can't recall the last time the most accurate load has been at the maximum charge.

[joelogic]

You have to start with "What kind of ammo am I going to make?"

Blaster, pick any cheap bullet/powder, find most accurate load with give components.

PF specific, decide if you want fast and light rounds or Slow and heavy rounds. Chose bullet that you can afford and feed well in your gun, chose clean burning powder, load to PF.

Precision, find given loads at snipershide based on rifle/barrel. Fine tune from there.

With the internet there is no reason to buy 10 different bullets, primers, powders, and cases to find what your rifle/gun likes.

(Adjusting seating depth only matters for bolt guns.)

[Whiterabbit]

Start with the stuff that affects accuracy most and narrow in from there.

For example, if you are 2 grains off in your 223 load, changin OAL ain't gonna fix it!

So start with what affects performance most: bullets. Pick one that'll work in the gun. Then powder, I'll usually pick one I've used before or is recommended here or has easy data to find. Then I load my changes every .5 grains. No need to load to every .1 grains, that's a waste of powder. Once you find the best since you'll be around 20+ grains in the case, if you want to narrow down to .2 above and below your best jsut to see, knock yourself out. Then start playing with OAL. Then the weird stuff like caseprep, primers, etc. I usually find that that stuff does nothing for me.

If it's not shooting, try another powder. Try another bullet. no need to waste time with something like OAL for example, if it's not working.

[EmmaGoldman]

This is incredibly useful:

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

[Whiterabbit]

wow, that website is awesome.

[Fjold]

Figure out what your goal is first.

Plinking, accuracy, terminal performance, long range, etc.

Pick a projectile to fit that performance requirement.

Select a powder that will work with near maximum velocity or has a track record for better accuracy in that application. I generally like powders with a loading density of 90% - 105%.

Generally I'll use standard primers for everything but extreme accuracy or long range performance then I'll use benchrest primers.

Select your case prep requirements for those same goals.