1st I pressure test the loading..Example: 1 round 36.0, next round 36.5 and so on till I reach the max recommended powder load...IF I had no pressure signs (heavy bolt lift and the like). All shots at different bulls. Looking for the dead on zero, If there is one. Checking and recording my sd, es and ft /s. Pick a good sd, es and ft/s to start out with. Load up 3 rounds on where I want to start, utilizing a known good CBTO. If the CBTO isn't known I'll start 20 thou off the lands and utilize that through this stage. I do the 3 round work up per .5 gr step process rechecking groups and sd/es, ft/s. when I find a group with the results I want I load up 5 rounds and step up my gr weight .2, .4 and see if it improves. If not then I start playing around with the seating to see if it'll improve. when I find something I like...I go with it. Of course I do this with each and every change of components (brass, primers, lot # of powder, lot # of bullets). Long and drawn out I know..but it works for me.