RockyMtnMT
Official LRH Sponsor
I like to do this at 300y if possible. Makes the target give you more information. We do it a lot at 200y because our local range is 200y max. Biggest thing I look for is a comfortable top end load. So I pay more attention to vel and pressure signs. Depending on the size of the cartridge I like to find that point when it is showing pressure or we have gotten speed too high for comfort. I know that is kinda gray. If I get up to the point that I am showing an ejector mark or starting to get a bit stiff on the bolt then I will back down a couple of grains on the big guns and maybe .5 to 1g on the smaller stuff. Then at that point I will start to look for the group. During the work up I watch the target more to see if it is just plain erratic or if it is showing a nice group as the load goes up. You can watch this target and if there is a cluster of bullets within a few charge weights that can be an indication of a forgiving spot. As general rule I am looking for a top end load that is as close to 100% case fill without compressing. This usually gives me the best consistency. With our Hammer Bullets I have pretty much stopped watching the workup target for a cluster or a node. Our bullets will almost always stay very close to moa through the work up process.
It generally only takes a few shots to see if the chosen powder is going to see pressure before the target vel or going to run out of case capacity before getting to the desired pressure/vel. Once I have found that top end safe load then shoot for group. The farther out the more you will know. At that point if the load is not sub moa I will start to seat the bullet deeper and shoot for group. About .002" at a time, or about a 1/4 turn on a threaded die. Again if the 1st 2 shots out don't group there is no point in shooting another, unless it is a poorly executed shot.
Most bullets will load up well like this. Only the most finicky will cause you grief.
Good luck.
Steve
PS.
We do custom load development with other brand bullets, not just our own Hammers. We charge more for non Hammer Bullets because they take more fuss, but if you all are interested just let us know. We like to work with ours but we are not that fussy.
It generally only takes a few shots to see if the chosen powder is going to see pressure before the target vel or going to run out of case capacity before getting to the desired pressure/vel. Once I have found that top end safe load then shoot for group. The farther out the more you will know. At that point if the load is not sub moa I will start to seat the bullet deeper and shoot for group. About .002" at a time, or about a 1/4 turn on a threaded die. Again if the 1st 2 shots out don't group there is no point in shooting another, unless it is a poorly executed shot.
Most bullets will load up well like this. Only the most finicky will cause you grief.
Good luck.
Steve
PS.
We do custom load development with other brand bullets, not just our own Hammers. We charge more for non Hammer Bullets because they take more fuss, but if you all are interested just let us know. We like to work with ours but we are not that fussy.
