Thread: New to reloading - to what fraction of a grain do you test new loads? 0.5gr, 0.3gr...

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Pav,
Your question above got me thinking. Rather than major changes I seem to have refined the process as my understanding of it has increased. Initially I was limited partly by my equipment and partly lack of understanding. Time seems to deal with both of those. I moved from full length re sizing to neck sizing early on to help with brass life but now use minimal full length re sizing for some of the more tapered cases which seems to work better for them. Early on I chased the maximum velocities for my hunting rifles but currently am happy with the softer current book max loads with some exceptions. Rifles used for target shooting and my old soldiers get reduced loads. Interestingly my handloading started with a Lee Loader and a .303 which was none too successful for a number of reasons. Currently 50 years later I am loading for a .303 using a Lee Loader and reduced loads and getting good results. The difference is knowledge.
One thing I do quite differently now is the use of graphs in load development. I plot the load data from different sources on an A4 sheet of graph paper with velocity on the vertical axis and charge on the horizontal. This gives some interesting results. I then plot my chronographed selected start load and you can see how your powder and rifle compares with the various data sets. You need to make an adjustment for barrel length, about 20 fps per inch of difference for the two cartridges you mention.
Last year I wrote some articles that were published on the NZ Guns site. These are now open access so you can read them on line. One talked about graphs and loads for the 6.5 x 55 and there was a two part one on loads for the .308.
Happy to answer any specific questions.
Regards Grandpamac.

Thanks @grandpamac, I have found and read the two parts on 308 last night but can't seem to find the 6.5x55 article. Does anyone have a link they could please share...?
There was something strangely satisfying shooting my own hand loads for the first time last weekend, and fair to say I've now got the reloading bug to go with all the others... can't wait to load some more rounds for the 308 & hit the hills and get started on a load for the Vixen. This week I was offered an old .303 from a hunting buddy so I may need to pick your brain in the near future.
Cheers
Pav