Load testing

Bushmaster · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Load testing

Three shots with rifles and five shots with pistols/revolvers. 100 and 200 yards with my rifles and 25 yards with pistols/revolvers.

PaulS · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: Load testing

I shoot with two targets - one on top of the other.
I shoot five shot groups into each top taget and leave the bottom target in place for at least five groups when testing the repeatability of my loads.
That way I have five five shot groups and an aggregate group of twenty five. I do this several times to make sure that the load is not only reliable but repeatable in a number of different conditions.
I shoot under all kinds of conditions and the groups do change with environmental conditions - a lot sometimes. The loads that change the least are the ones that i settle on. I use average group size when i quote group sizes - never the best size which is often sub caliber.
I tend to be a bit fanatical when it comes to accuracy. After I work up the load for the smallest - most repeatable groups I use a chronograph to get the velocity of the load. That way I can predict trajectories reliably for the conditions that I will be shooting at. I always sight the rifle in under shooting conditions at hand - especially when hunting.

OBOne · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:17 am Post subject: Re: Load testing

WOW! What a lot of terrific info. I have been reading and following interesting links for more than a couple of hours. This is better than going back to school. Can I get a load testing degree after studying all this? I'm gonna try the OCW method. I guess the final test will be at the 200 yard range.
Thanks for all the great info.
OB