Here is my dilema,..I currently re-load for 6 cartridges. But have to travel to get to a range.
What are your tips for developing multiple loads with limited range access/time?

Currently I usually pick one cartridge, load the various combinations of powder/bullet I want to test in .5 or 1gr increments and spend the day at the range when I finally can.

Any tips on how to organize things or simplify the procedure is appreciated.

Since it don't take much of a press.....seat the bullets at the range....take only primed cases and powder and bullets to the range.....It can be done in the back of your pickup or other place....work on that idea.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewp...productnumber=410804

This is the most portable reloading press I've seen and once again with a Lee product if it doesn't work to your satisfaction, you're not out much.

I'll take 3 or 4 rifles with a box of work up loads for each.

Shoot a group out of one, open the chamber, set it aside and let it cool while I work through groups for the next 2 or 3.

Analyze the targets and chronograph results at home, and decide on my next move....

If you use ball powders you can:
get graph paper and draw a line 1/2 in from top to bottom and left to right.

Set your powder measure on "0" and weight five charges after you throw one or two to settle it. Weigh them and average. Write that down. Move the setting to "10" and repeat. Go to 80gr in increments. Plot those numbers up and to the right after you mark the graph squares. You now have the Idaho Spread Sheet.
You can take the measure and powder to the range and load test.
Creighton Audette is widely credited with the "Stepladder" method of developing loads.
Go up in .3gr or so increments and just load two rounds of each. At some point two subsequent charges will group pretty small and close to each other. That area, if the velocity is where you need it, is where you fine tune.

I would suggest starting .020" off the lands. You can find that by long loading a bullet and Sharpie Black Marker coating the entire ogive. Polish the inside of the case neck with some 0000 steel wool on a used cleaning brush. Ease the long seated round into the chamber gently and establish contact (on the lands) OAL that way. Set your seating stem, then back off that .020".
It will show you what your rifle likes with that powder and bullet, and you will become a better shooter.

Rich

Hey Big Bird, The main tip would be to use the never improved upon, quick to point out the best Harmonic Node Creighton Audette Load Development Method.

Once you locate the best Harmonic Node, then you can Fine Tune the Load by varying the Seating Depth a bit.

If they allow you to be on your Range at Dawn and Sunset, the wind typically calms for about 20-30min. That does not apply when a storm is headed your way though.

If they do not allow you on the Range at that time, try to find some place private where you can shoot 300yds. You won't have a bunch of "brilliant people" wasting a lot of time setting-up and re-setting-up chronographs that fall over, get shot, or hear lots of because their Load is 78fps too slow.

Shoot at the "Corner" of a Black Square. You can ease the scope right up to it on any of the 4 sides and know you are Locked-In sight wise. That is not possible when shooting toward a Circle unless you have a "Dot" in your scope. A square is quicker and more accurate.

Try Dry Firing your rifle in dark, quiet room with your eyes closed. Just hold the firearm and squeeze the trigger as gently as possible. If you feel any creep or drag, either fix it, or take it to someone who can fix it. No use shooting Bad Groups due to a trigger out of tune, which would be a serious time waster.

Coffee and Tea give a person the shakes if too much is consumed. If your time is limited, you do not need to be fighting the "Shakes" when developing Loads.

Once you get in the Sand Bags and ready to shoot, close your eyes for a few seconds and then reopen them to see if the sight picture has changed. If it has, then you also need to practice sitting in position. This reallllllly eats a lot of time, so get that practice done prior to Load Development.

Best of luck to you.