Folks,

Is there a good reference (book, article, internet post) that explains a process for shooting, cleaning, and cooling a barrell when testing loads at the range? I have seen plenty of information about load development strategy at the reloading bench, but not much regarding how to properly test the loads at the range.

Here are some of the questions floating around in my head:

Do you clean the bore after each load? (I usually load 5 rounds at the same powder weight)

How do you clean the bore between loads?

How much time do you give between rounds and loads? I currently load a 270 and 300 win

Thanks.

generally start out with a clean bore.
Shoot 1,2 or3 fowlers to dirty the barrel
let cool for sevreal minutes.
shoot 5 shot groups. for accuracy
after each group let the barrel cool.It depends on how much of a hurry you are in on the coolin, i cool to touch./.
if it a hunting rifle i only shoot 2 or3 shot groups.
clean before you fowl up and accuracy goes/
It will depend on the rifle.
Shoot the fowlers and start again.

It is probably a good thing to break in a new rifle , with a shot and cleaning, then two shots and cleaning, and then three and so on until you get to five. Then clean after every five shots for about five times. Don't let the barrel get hot to the touch. This is a good way to get brass for your new rifle using the cheapest factory fodder you can find.

Once broken in, start your testing, unless you are willing to refoul the barrel after each cleaning. That could take a lot of shooting!

Although I confess that I forget to do it (I forget a lot of things nowadays!), clean the barrel when you change powders. This doesn't have to be a total to the steel cleaning, but you want to get the residue out.

Otherwise, I'd "short" clean after every twenty round or so. My experience is that rifles will shoot better cleaned and dirty, than clean. When you get done, clean it with Wipe Out before storing it. Foul it again before heading to the field. Kudude

I believe you are asking for load development techniques.
The 2 Most commonly used are the Audette Ladder and the Optimal Charge Weight (OCW) methods.

This is Dan Newberrys OCW site.

I can't find a the Audette site but it involves shooting a number of rounds at .2 to .5 gr increments and watching for the spot where 3-4 shots are closer than the rest and doing further testing in that range.

Here's a good site I came across many moons ago:

http://www.frfrogspad.com/loaddev.htm

This assumes that you have gone through some break in process.

quote:

Originally posted by Swamp_Fox:
I believe you are asking for load development techniques.
The 2 Most commonly used are the Audette Ladder and the Optimal Charge Weight (OCW) methods.


I can't find the Audette site

No, there is no site of Audette's. For some practical suggestions, go also to https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2511043/m/571104925 or visit http://home.snafu.de/l.moeller/Englisch/Laddertest.htm.

Nice day,
Jan.

This is what I do:

When I get to the range I squirt Bore Foam down each tube. Let it sit for a while while I'm setting up all my other supplies. Then I patch out each tube until I get clean patches. I clean each bolt then wipe out the chamber incase any solvent leaked into that area.

Out of the clean barrel I fire a 3 shot group loaded w/ the same powder as that of the load testing rounds. I then let the barrel cool to the touch, Fire a round, cool, fire, cool etc. until I've fired a group. I like to place flaging tape on the target so I can get somewhat an idea of the wind at each shot. Calm days are the best of course but, if there is alittle breeze I try and wait until a lull to fire.

After that group, I'll fire another when the barrel is cool if it is w/ the same powder. If a differing powder I will fire at least one fouler w/ that type of powder.

I fire a fouler when switching powders because I find that different powder residue in the barrel can cause a flyer.

I'll shoot for groups until I've got around 15-20 rounds down the tube then, I clean w/ bore foam and shoot foulers again.

It can be a time consuming process for sure but, I feel it leads to fairly good consistency.

Also, keep good notes. Write down the date, firearm, load components, outside temp, approx wind speed, and write every speed reading from the chrono.

I look for a load that groups tight consistantly w/ preferably a spread no greater than 50 fps(spreads of 10-20 are real nice as well). Some loads will group great w/ large spreads and that really will not hurt you until you get to longer ranges.

Good Luck

Reloader