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Posted: 7/26/2012 5:04:43 PM EDT
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How do you work up your loads? Basically I have been reloading for a while now, but only one recipe and only for one rifle (338 win mag). I want to expand to my other calibers and I also want to use this load in different 338 win mags. The books say to cut the load and work up in small increments. I think when I first made this load for my 338 I started at 68 grains and went in 1 grain increments to the load I liked at 72 grains. I had loaded 3 rounds of each weight and then shoot them thru my rifle in order. I guess my question is how many rounds of each increment need to be made? Is the one grain stuff too small? Too little? The time required to work up the loads has stopped me from expanding my reloading into my other rifles as my reloading time is limited (as is my range time). What about moving to another 338 win mag rifle, do I have to make the reduced loads again? Any comments are greatly appreciated. |
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Quoted:
How do you work up your loads? Basically I have been reloading for a while now, but only one recipe and only for one rifle (338 win mag). I want to expand to my other calibers and I also want to use this load in different 338 win mags. The books say to cut the load and work up in small increments. I think when I first made this load for my 338 I started at 68 grains and went in 1 grain increments to the load I liked at 72 grains. I had loaded 3 rounds of each weight and then shoot them thru my rifle in order. I guess my question is how many rounds of each increment need to be made? Is the one grain stuff too small? Too little? The time required to work up the loads has stopped me from expanding my reloading into my other rifles as my reloading time is limited (as is my range time). What about moving to another 338 win mag rifle, do I have to make the reduced loads again?[/div] Any comments are greatly appreciated. IMO that decision would depend on how big a configuration change from one 338 win mag to another. Is it similar bolt and chamber design? Is it same brass and powder and bullet? Is it same bbl length? How close to a "hot" load are you with the current rig? Any high pressure signs? Are you at what you would call the "Max" load with your current rig? Are you making brass measurements before and after firing? If your current 72 grain load is just "warm" then perhaps fall back to 70 grains and start back up. |
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Quoted:
Quoted: How do you work up your loads? Basically I have been reloading for a while now, but only one recipe and only for one rifle (338 win mag). I want to expand to my other calibers and I also want to use this load in different 338 win mags. The books say to cut the load and work up in small increments. I think when I first made this load for my 338 I started at 68 grains and went in 1 grain increments to the load I liked at 72 grains. I had loaded 3 rounds of each weight and then shoot them thru my rifle in order. I guess my question is how many rounds of each increment need to be made? Is the one grain stuff too small? Too little? The time required to work up the loads has stopped me from expanding my reloading into my other rifles as my reloading time is limited (as is my range time). What about moving to another 338 win mag rifle, do I have to make the reduced loads again?[/div] Any comments are greatly appreciated. IMO that decision would depend on how big a configuration change from one 338 win mag to another. Is it similar bolt and chamber design? Is it same brass and powder and bullet? Is it same bbl length? How close to a "hot" load are you with the current rig? Any high pressure signs? Are you at what you would call the "Max" load with your current rig? Are you making brass measurements before and after firing? If your current 72 grain load is just "warm" then perhaps fall back to 70 grains and start back up. [div] |
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Quoted: What calibers are you talking about reloading for that are new to you? Rifle make and model will also help. Your question is a little vague for a good answer. Currently 338 Win mag for Ruger M77. Want to reload for my Ruger M77 in 30-06 and my remington 742 semi in 30-06. Others are Ruger M77 in 6.5x55, browning a-bolt in 7mm WSM. |
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My load work up process
I do a new load work up any time i change powder bullets or col. Noone should just grab a random load someone posted on line and expect it to be safe. Not to insult anyone here but i would never trust any load someone recommends without first doing my due diligence. My due diligence includes: getting load data from the bullet and powder manufacturers (if I can), looking in my load manuals, going to my LGS and looking in all of their load manuals, going to my friends house and looking in his manuals and then of course a thorough load workup generally in .2 or .3 grain increments using the average minimum acquired from all of those sources for a start point and I will usually go up to 1 increment over max at least with jacketed rounds. During my load work up I fire the first round of a particular charge weight and then inspect the case for pressure signs then i fire the rest for a group. 5 shot groups minimum 10 is much better If at any point I see any pressure signs I stop and pull the rest of the cartridges that are a higher load than what showed pressure signs. The factor for how I decide which charge shoots best from my particular firearm is vertical grouping. I look for a charge which has very little vertical spread which has charges just above and below it that also group well. |
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Not hot at all, as I never even worked the load up to having even the slightest signs of over pressure. If I do fall back to 70 grains, what are your usual increments, 0.5g? 1g? and how many rounds at each increment?
It's impossible for me to say what I would do with your load as I do not know the details of it. The only info provided is that it has 72gr of powder. I may try it in another rifle as is or I may drop the charge down and work back up, but without complete details it is impossible to say what I would do. |
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I build up loads for each rifle. I typically have two loads - one reduced "plinking" round, and one precision round. If the planets are in alignment, they can both be the same load. I start similarly to OBO - I gather as much data about the powder and recommended loads from all the sources I can and sort of average them. See what the recommended safe range is. Then I work up a ladder test (http://www.6mmbr.com/laddertest.html) for that particular powder and the bullets I purchased and a single headstamp brass all sized and trimmed alike. Go to the range and see what the ladder test produces - eg find the nodes - take lots of notes especially if there are multiple nodes I can use later. If I have multiple rifles in that caliber, I check my notes and see if they all have nodes that happen to line up - that would be my "plinking" round - especially if it happens to be a lower powder weight. Then each rifle gets a log book for each powder - bullet - brass combo specifying the nodes and my recommended plinking load and precision load and maybe a 3rd "compromise load" that might not be a ladder test node - but is workable for all rifles in that caliber. It sounds like a lot of work, and it is. I figure if you're going to use your reloading gear, you might as well squeeze every ounce of precision out of it with good documentation. Once all that documentation is done, it's done. My friends all wonder why I have such confidence in my reloads and precision; it's all the log keeping! And since I don't sell guns often (almost not at all) - the data keeps pretty much for life, or the barrel wears out - whichever comes first. |
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Decide on a goal for the load you want; Precession Hunting Plinking/ practice/ inexpensive Then pick bullet to suit your goal. Look at loading data and pick a couple of powders to try. Then work up loads beginning at "start" load. (lowest charge shown) Watch for pressure signs. Shoot groups as you work up, then you will know what your rifle likes. |
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One grain increments are fine for medium to large cases. 338 Win mag is large. I usually start just above the min and load in one grain increments one round at each building up until I see some pressure sign on the primer. Never go more than 1 grain over your published data without a chronograph. I don't waist time and components shooting groups until I'm close to my velocity goal.
Like the others said, If you current .338 load is middle road or average to the factory load it should be ok in another M77 or comparable bolt action rifle but it is a hand load. I would load one round each starting 3 grains under, if your current load is 2 or 3 grains under max. I would not reduce it below the minimum start. That is not recommended. I doubt many people on here including myself could even tell the difference between a .2 or .3 grain change in a cartridge that uses 72 grains of powder. Most "good" shooting rifles are not even sensitive to +/- 1 grain. |
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Quoted: One grain increments are fine for medium to large cases. 338 Win mag is large. I usually start just above the min and load in one grain increments one round at each building up until I see some pressure sign on the primer. Never go more than 1 grain over your published data without a chronograph. I don't waist time and components shooting groups until I'm close to my velocity goal. Like the others said, If you current .338 load is middle road or average to the factory load it should be ok in another M77 or comparable bolt action rifle but it is a hand load. I would load one round each starting 3 grains under, if your current load is 2 or 3 grains under max. I would not reduce it below the minimum start. That is not recommended. I doubt many people on here including myself could even tell the difference between a .2 or .3 grain change in a cartridge that uses 72 grains of powder. Most "good" shooting rifles are not even sensitive to +/- 1 grain. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
One grain increments are fine for medium to large cases. 338 Win mag is large. I usually start just above the min and load in one grain increments one round at each building up until I see some pressure sign on the primer. Never go more than 1 grain over your published data without a chronograph. I don't waist time and components shooting groups until I'm close to my velocity goal. Like the others said, If you current .338 load is middle road or average to the factory load it should be ok in another M77 or comparable bolt action rifle but it is a hand load. I would load one round each starting 3 grains under, if your current load is 2 or 3 grains under max. I would not reduce it below the minimum start. That is not recommended. I doubt many people on here including myself could even tell the difference between a .2 or .3 grain change in a cartridge that uses 72 grains of powder. Most "good" shooting rifles are not even sensitive to +/- 1 grain. Yes one per increment is all you need. Lion, You never gave us the other half of your load, the bullet you are using. Yes dropping back 3 grains will be fine ""IF"" your current load is not either under or over the max published data. Or by dropping 3 grains it will not put you under min. A quick look into one of my manuals tells me a 3 grain reduction for most powders with the .338mag is equal to one step. So IF your current load is at book max you better start 5 (five) grains under. I'll give you a good hint for your other calibers. Sierra lists both a "Accuracy Load" and a "Hunting Load" in their data for most calibers. I have had very good results using those loads. Usually the hunting load gives up a little accuracy for max velocity so I often go with the accuracy load. Again, you start a few grains under and test for pressure. I did this last deer season when my brother unexpectedly gave me a 7mm mag the day before season opening. I started 3 grains below Sierra's accuracy load. Loaded one each up to the load then 20 rounds more. (I knew if it didn't work I could pull them.) Opening day turned out to be a crappy day so we hit the local range at lunch time. That Weatherby Vanguard ended up shooting Sierra's "accuracy load into a .8" 5 shot group at 100 yards. Shot buy my 14 year old son. Who then took a nice doe with it on Wednesday. |
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