I am just getting into reloading.

I have a question. The bullet company manuals give loads for their bullets (makes sense ). The powder companies either give a specific bullet or a generic description (180 gr jacketed).

I intend to work up my first load around a 180 gr Nosler partition. It seems I should try 3 powders at least, likely 4, from the recommendations.

I intend to load 3 each at the starting load to the max in 1/2 grain increments. I will mark these and shoot a group with each to check accuracy and velocity. 4 powders x 5 loads x 3 shots = 60 bullets.

Do you regularly use premiums for load development? Will a rifle generally like the same powder from bullet to bullet? Assume general lead/copper jacketed bullets.

Do you start all start so far off maximum and work up in 1/2 grain increments? In other words, do you test 5-6 loads per powder? I understand all saftey aspects, but even starting 2 grains below max would end up in much less total loads to shoot.

I cannot really see the primer pressure indications given in the manual photos I have. Are there any good online reference photos. I have no intention on hotrodding, just would like to have all available info.

Thanks!

I usually choose a single bullet and three powders.I start with a mild load and then load three bullets with each charge.I stagger my powder charges in one grain increments for most cartridges for a total of three charge weights or nine rounds per powder.If I see one powder/bullet combination that shows more potential than the others,I work up that combination further and then experiment with seating depths.My load development for a hunting load is usually complete with about 50 rounds fired if the original bullet works out,but can take more.At one time,I used to develop loads with cheaper bullets then switch to premium bullets for fine tuning,but I have found that changing the bullet can totally change the behavior of the load making all previous testing a waste.Therefore,I develop my hunting loads with the bullet that I intend to hunt with.

quote:

I am just getting into reloading.

Then don't get impatient until you have adequate handloading experience to start cutting corners. Safety is of ultimate importance. That's why every loadbook has a chapter dedicated to it.

quote:

Originally posted by metalman29:
Do you regularly use premiums for load development?

Yes, I work up my loads with the bullet that I intend to shoot. I work up seperate plinking/practice loads with cheaper bullets. Sometimes these cheaper loads perform spectacularily but I have a specific bullet for each load.

quote:

Will a rifle generally like the same powder from bullet to bullet? Assume general lead/copper jacketed bullets.

Some do, some do not. Sometimes I can see that a particular barrel likes one burning rate (ie. one powder) for the same weight/shape bullets.

quote:

Do you start all start so far off maximum and work up in 1/2 grain increments? In other words, do you test 5-6 loads per powder? I understand all saftey aspects, but even starting 2 grains below max would end up in much less total loads to shoot.

2 grains may not be enough of a safety factor in big cases. I generally start about 10% under max and work up from there. I've shot over 100 bullets many times trying to find a great load for one bullet.

I'm a elcheapo....I use Hornady interlocks to workup a load then back off three grains (or so) and switch to A-Frames and work back again


This seems to work but I'd take a different approach with monolithics.

For working up loads to see whether you have a fast rifle or a slow rifle, you can use Hornaday 180gr flat base bullets. They are an inexpensive, very good bullet for anything you will shoot in USA, and accurate. Another alternative is the Nosler BT in 180. Very accurate and good predictor of what the Partition will do. Buy seconds of BT and Partitions from the Nosler store for about half price. They had Partition protected points on sale for 9.95/50 just the other day.

The first thing I'd do is find the seating depth your rifle likes because this is generally the same with all powders and all bullets (You must use a collimator to measure OAL).

Then work up a max load with one of your selected powders with one bullet in a slow fashion. Once you have established that your rifle is slow or fast, it will tend to be that way with the other rifles. Back down an appropriate amount for your next powder and load three rounds and check your velocities. If they are in line with the first powder you worked with, you know you're OK. If not, see if you are faster or slower and adjust as necessary working up your loads for you 2d powder. Using same process, work up your other powders. This way you don't have to go back to the lowest charge which each powder, but be conservative.

I'd check with the info on this forum with searches on prior posts for suggested powders for the cartridge you are reloading for. My observation is that the folks here are pretty good, and their findings match what I have found.

If all your powders give the same accuracy, I'd go with the one that achieves your velocity with the "lowest" presures based on pressure data. It requires the same energy input to reach the same velocity with the same bullet, but different powders have different pressure curves.

Once you have wrung out the powders, I'd switch bullets and work up your data for the Partition. As mentioned above, I'd back off at least a full grain switching from BTs to Partitions. You may be able to add it back a half-grain at a time, but be safe.

If you have a Lyman manual, I'd start with their recommended OAL. If you don't have that bullet in the bullet weight you are loading, try one in a weight you do have, and then "convert" that length to your 180gr bullet. Again, a collimator is absolutely necessary. Kudude

I go a bit diff. route. When I have a new cartridge to work up loads for, I start w/ 1 bullet & 2-3 powders. I look for powders that fill the case as much as possible & give the higher vel. for the case size. I bypass the starting loads, they are very conservative, & go to a charge in the middle. I load one round w/ the selected bullet & increase the charge wt. 1/2gr for smaller cases & 1gr for 06 & magnums, up to the max. load listed in the manual. If you have a chronograph it helps, but what I am trying to do is establish the max. or near max. load in my rifle. Fire each shot from lowest to highest noting the condition of the fired case, bolt lift & vel. as well as noting the increase in vel.(if chronographing). If I get to the book max. (all books have a diff. max. so I usually use two & split the diff.) then I am done & load 3 for test group. If you reach max. before the book, then back off 1gr & use that load for group.
I like to work up my plinking load first, usually, then back off 2gr when substituting a diff. brand of bullet, & work the loadback up. You can do a search on th Ladder method for load dev. It's kind of the same idea but diff.

quote:

Do you regularly use premiums for load development? Will a rifle generally like the same powder from bullet to bullet? Assume general lead/copper jacketed bullets.

No, I generally use Sierra bullets of the same weight to develop hunting loads for use with Nosler Partition bullets. This substitution usually (but not always!!) works out well for me, as the Noslers usually give comparable velocity and accuracy as the Sierras, but the Sierras only cost half as much or less, as you know.

However, this substitution does not always work out, and the only way you'll know for sure in any specific load is to try both bullets after you arrive at the optimum level with the lower-cost projectiles. You may have to do some adjusting of the powder charge when you change over to the NPJ's, but it won't cost you 60 Noslers to get the best load! However, I have never experienced any excessive pressures from substituting a Nosler Partition for a Sierra, either. I cannot say what would happen if I had substituted some other premium bullet, like an A-frame of TBBC for the Sierra.

Here's an example. This group was fired at 100 meters (110 yards) from my 7.65X53mm Argetine Mauser using both Sierra and Nosler Partition 200-grain .308" spitzer bullets and the same powder charge. 3 Sierras, 2 Noslers. I would say that the point of impact of both kinds of bullets is close enough to the same spot, and chronographed velocities were the same as well. Good luck.

I do it pretty much like Fred does. Nothing like reaching max for your rifle with several groups of cartridges left over. Once I establish a pressure baseline, I start load testing with 3 rounds each.
My experience is that once I have found a favored powder for a rifle, it will shoot all bullets better. You still got to shoot the different bullets tho 'cause some will still group better than others.
Are you familar with the ladder system?