Guys, I am go to work up some reduced loads for my .600, and wanted to know what the step, or grain increases margins you use for these big cases. In my 260 bench rest rifle, we generally stick to .5 grains when getting to the mid to upper loads

Half a grain won't be noticed in a 600. For 450s and 500s, I jump in two grain increments.

For reduced .600 loads I use the following. The choreographing was done in the past two weeks as the snow is finally about gone.
All bullets are 900-grain lead cast, no gas check.
Powder is IMR 4831, LRM primer, and Kapok to keep the powder next to the primer.
100 grains for 1230 fps
115 grains for 1593 fps
130 grains for 1719 fps
and...
145 grains for 1764 fps--Woodleigh soft or lead
160 grains for 1882 fps--Woodleigh soft

The first three are great for breaking into shooting after 6-7 months of a no shooting winter.
Cal

Thanks guys, I rather imagined that at least 2 grains wo0uld be acceptable as these are very tolerant rounds until the maximums. Cal I note that you are taking large steps, is that because of your very keen familiarization with the .600?

Motel:
You can take large steps when working far below maximum. In my rifle, 160 grains is max and starting below at 100, big jumps are fine.
Cal

Thank you both, I'll get at it

Cal,
Choreographing your 600????. Must have been a long winter!!!!
On a serious note I've just got my 600 VC and have loaded 135, 137 and 139 grns of 2209, equivalent to h4350.
2grn increments I think is ok.

Cheers

Nick

Yes, a nice and warm spring and I am chronographing all of my loads with a new Chrony. I reload in the winter and cast in the spring or fall so I'm ready when the weather warms. I'd like to see if the new machine differs from my past records. Although I have been shooting the same loads for decades. I've only a few vintage doubles now and some new pickups need work done: a .500 Watson and a .475 no2 Scott. My old standbys of .450-400, .450 no2, and .600, also. Each rifle will get four shots of four loads: the nitro charge with a Woodleigh soft and a solid with a slightly reduced load, 75% bullet weight with full powder and 75% of powder with a full bullet weight.

There is more variation in the bore rifles, 4- and 8- bore with a 2-3 different charges with a ball, conical and Paradox with Blue Dot and also FFg GOEX. Oh yes, the new pickup in this category is the 8-bore harpoon gun by Alex Henry which I will shoot the above loads and may experiment with the original harpoon and black powder.

When one lives alone in rural Alaska whose only company is a Black Lab, life is pretty slow. However, I will post all my findings here when the following are calculated: muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, Taylor's Knock Out value, felt recoil, and group size at 50 yards.
Cheers, gents,
Cal

Nice, Really Nice.

That damn auto spell check replaces words it does not recognize. Chronographing was replaced with choreographing. I hate technology. That is why I love old rifles, old bullets, old vehicles, and old women.
Cal

yep me too, my rifles are analog, my cars are all analog, and come to think of it, I'm analog. Just like singing and dancing, Its all analog. My grandchildren are finding that out...they are amazed at what real music sounds like.

I am one better than analog, and that is LIVE. I play lead trumpet in the local jazz band. Don't need none of the recording stuff to make music......

All good Cal , was having a little fun with you on the Choreographing mate!!!!,!

I,m putting the first few shots through my 600 on Monday , and will be chronographing as well.

About 1900fps for the 900 woodleigh's should regulate??

Cheers

Nick

I'll be doing the same this weekend. 1900 fps is what my old rifle gets to regulate. Keep us posted.
Cal