Thread: My first load development

Originally Posted by Remmodel7

So I shot my first ladder test today.
Some promising results with one load looking like a goer.
This load is half a grain below book max. Can some of you more experienced loaders tell me if the primers look ok it are they getting too flat?
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Groups shot
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Best load is second column from the left.
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Greetings Remmodel7,
As a first time load developer I suggest that you load a small batch at 27 grains and go hunting with it. You can test other loads later. If you can get your load chronographed you can then compare your velocity with your load data (adjusting for barrel length) to see if your components match theirs. This will give an indication of pressure. Gazing at the fired primers will tell you nothing other than one load may be hotter than another and possibly not even that. Ejector marks on the case head tell you that you have gone too far already for your brass. Additionally one three shot group tells you little about the long term accuracy of a load. The average of three groups of three shots each will tell you more. One last thing buy yourself a decent load manual for the projectiles or powder that you use. Some of the older ones from around 30 years ago are good as well. Treat everything you read on the internet including U tube with suspicion unless verified by the load development sections of the manual.
Periodically someone on the forum blows up a rifle due to an overload. The honest ones own up to it, the others perhaps not. Go slowly and make sure you don't go down that road. Happy to answer questions. The Grendel is a great cartridge, wish I had one.
Regards Grandpamac.