I am curious as to what techniques people use when working up a load? I typically start at the minimum and work up in .5 grain increments. I shoot 5 groups at each powder load.

Is this common? Do you let your barrel cool down completely after each shot?

quote:

I shoot 5 groups at each powder load.

I meant to say I shoot 5 shot groups at each powder load.

Briefly for me, I'll oftentimes start with the "accurate" powder & charge listed in the books for the bullet weight I want tot use. I also usually shoot 5 shot groups and increase powder charges in 1 grain increments. Seating depth is the one recommended in the book and I'll chrono the loads as well. I figure I'll get a better sample of the velocity with 5 shots rather thatn 3.
After all that, I'll head off in the direction in which I think things could be improved ie., different powder, seating depth, etc.
This is for a new to me, chambering however and not for something I've had success with in the past.
Bear in Fairbanks

quote:

Originally posted by DPollard:
I am curious as to what techniques people use when working up a load? I typically start at the minimum and work up in .5 grain increments. I shoot 5 groups at each powder load.

Is this common? Do you let your barrel cool down completely after each shot?

I use increments of 0.3gr (3 shot groups) and it makes it easier to get nearer to the best load. When I find good accuracy I would refine it futher.

What about barrel cool down? Do you let it cool completely before each shot?

quote:

Originally posted by DPollard:
I am curious as to what techniques people use when working up a load? I typically start at the minimum and work up in .5 grain increments. I shoot 5 groups at each powder load.

Is this common? Do you let your barrel cool down completely after each shot?

I usually start low using data from a book.....and I really want loads that have pressure numbers associated with them

I start loading up a full grain at a time until I'm two grains under max of the book....I then work up 1/2 grain at a time (usually 1% of the max listed load) until I reach the max or some recognized pressure signs.....usually I reach the max but occasionally I'm forced to stop early!

After I reach the max, if there is a desire and evidence to support it, I'll work up 1/2 grain at a time in three shot groups and I use a chrony all the time....velocity is an important piece of information as it is one of the .
goals of my work.

Sooner or later one reaches a point where he says...."That's enough"....When that happens he should reduce the load three grains and he'll have a load suited for his gun!

Using the ladder method will improve load development efficiency immensely. I believe the technique was developed by David Tubb. It has been discussed on this forum, so you can probably search for it.

quote:

Originally posted by Brice:
Using the ladder method will improve load development efficiency immensely. I believe the technique was developed by David Tubb. It has been discussed on this forum, so you can probably search for it.

I have seen the ladder method discussed on here. It is my impression the ladder is for long range shooting (300+ yards). Is this a misunderstanding on my part?

A lot of the info you're getting is good stuff.
Some food for thought; the increment of increase should be different between cartridges like the hornet and the .378 Weatherby. Coming down to earth *** between the .257 Roberts and the .338 magnum. roger

quote:

Originally posted by DPollard:
I have seen the ladder method discussed on here. It is my impression the ladder is for long range shooting (300+ yards). Is this a misunderstanding on my part?

Perhaps. It is very useful for long range shooters, but it is also useful for short range target shooters and hunters....when it works.

The object when I use it, is to identify "sweet spots" in load development where the accuracy and POI will still be basically the same even if the charge is off plus or minus as much as a full half grain.

That can make match load choice, and the loading of match ammo itself, much easier. Maintaining an exact charge weight is no longer super-critical.

quote:

Originally posted by DPollard:
I am curious as to what techniques people use when working up a load? ...

The always reliable, totally repeateble, never improved upon, Creighton Audette Load Development Method. It is colloquially refered to as The Ladder Method. Mr. Audette was able to put the best Load Development Method ever devised into short, easy to understand, steps.

It is not needed on short range Cartridges like a 30-30, 357Mag, 44Mag, etc., but it can still be used with them at a bit closer distance. The longer distance simply allows the Harmonic Nodes to be spotted easier.

Best of luck to you.