Thread: Strategy for reloading for Berger VLD

I'm interested in getting forum members' methods for load development for these - the quickest way to find an accurate load with the least amount of experimentation ?

As a general rule for a new bullet I'm trying out I would look to try a few powders in the target burn range first, and for each powder load one batch at maybe 50k peak PSI and a second at 60k. Having shot these, the powder producing the tightest group/s is then used to load up over a range of powder weights starting from say 50k peak PSI up through to whatever my maximum is, looking for group size and POI variations. A second powder might also be tried or held in reserve. Any powder that could only deliver 2moa up front I'll reject without further consideration. Seating depth is third on the list and tweaked as a last refinement.

With the VLDs, where seating depth is that much more critical, should the order for determining these three (powder type, charge weight, jump) be changed around ?

If the seating depth window for best accuracy is missed when trying out the different powders, have folk subsequently found they initially passed over a powder that with further experimentation gave good - or the best - results ?

And is the order above still a usable stategy if trialling the newer classic hunter VLD that are more forgiving with seating depth ?

Did using Bergers tech bulletin recommendations work for you ?
http://www.longrangehunting.com/foru...r-rifle-40204/