Thread: Testing a conventional approach to load development

Originally Posted by Hunterdave

Quite surprised theres not much focus on seating depth here. Remember watching a podcast with eric cortina and jack nerry (i think his name was) one f class the other benchrest for team lapua. Talking about seating depth has a direct relation on group size, testing in 3thou increments. A example of this is when people buy factory ammo to test what there rifle likes that is the seating depth of the different ammo that determines the better groups.
I think his way of load development makes sense, first stage over chony, no target to distract you, find lowest es
Once powder charge found on to seating depth testing

Cortina's are so last year. They don't even make them any more.

You are assuming that factory ammo brands all use the same powder.
I test powders before I fiddle with length (if ever). Mag length and a couple or three powders at near book max. Usually one of them works. Chrono when it's all over and adjust the charge for target velocity. Then go hunting.