load development

[GuroChris]

Remember book COAL means nothing unless you're using the exact same bullet in the exact same chamber they used, which you are not. Your rifle's chamber leade is likely not the same as the test barrel. Also, every bullet type's ogive is in a different place relative to the tip of the bullet. So, what to do - this one way at the macro level

1.) Figure out where your max CBTO is using which ever method you deem worthy using every bullet you use before loading anything with that bullet (where the bullet ogive touches your rifle lands)
2.) Figure out where some good velocity/pressure nodes are with the bullet you chose. I usually use a safe CBTO like 0.040in off the lands to avoid bullets jamming on me while doing this step, see step 1 for the starting point of the lands.
3.) Do seating depth tests using the powder load you discovered in step 2 and the max CBTO found in step 1

Using this method I seem to spend way less components than any other basic approach. One of the big things you'll notice during step 2 are the velocity/pressure jump points that you need to stay away from to get good ES/STD. Plus you will be recording lots of good info on your rifle while doing this.

Is all of that still strictly necessary when I'm mag feeding the rifle?

I have an

That's up to you to judge. I don't know what your desires are with this particular rifle. My post was very generic outlining the basic approach I've found and many others have found to systematically arrive at a good result fast. This method will use way less components in most cases to arrive at a good performing load than randomly changing powder and seating depth at the same time. Now if you're saying you want to load to mag length only then you cut out the seating depth step. Shooting a ladder will still allow you to find pressure nodes. Then you can pick powder loads that are in nodes instead of one that might be on a pressure jump point. I did this with my 375 Ruger because I decided to crimp. I picked a specific length then shot a ladder at that length crimped and decided on powder charges. Then shot the powder charges and went with the most accurate from those.

Its like Coues deer hunting. Glassing deer up off tripods with good glasses then closing the distance to a comfortable shot distance is way more effective than randomly walking the hills trying to jump one and get a quick shot. Sure, occasionally you might jump a buck and get a shot but by glassing and knowing they are there is still a higher % approach. Just like randomly picking a charge and seating depth might occasionally produce great results.

That's up to you to judge. I don't know what your desires are with this particular rifle. My post was very generic outlining the basic approach I've found and many others have found to systematically arrive at a good result fast. This method will use way less components in most cases to arrive at a good performing load than randomly changing powder and seating depth at the same time. Now if you're saying you want to load to mag length only then you cut out the seating depth step. Shooting a ladder will still allow you to find pressure nodes. Then you can pick powder loads that are in nodes instead of one that might be on a pressure jump point. I did this with my 375 Ruger because I decided to crimp. I picked a specific length then shot a ladder at that length crimped and decided on powder charges. Then shot the powder charges and went with the most accurate from those.

Its like Coues deer hunting. Glassing deer up off tripods with good glasses then closing the distance to a comfortable shot distance is way more effective than randomly walking the hills trying to jump one and get a quick shot. Sure, occasionally you might jump a buck and get a shot but by glassing and knowing they are there is still a higher % approach. Just like randomly picking a charge and seating depth might occasionally produce great results.

Well, as luck would have it I just picked up a new lightweight hunting rifle that I can try the way you describe. Then I can see if one method is faster/easier for me.

 

[nealm66]

I wouldn't say my method of finding pressure and then bullet seating for accuracy is faster/easier than a powder ladder. It just maximizes fps. Congrats on your new rifle! That's how we learn, buy multiple rifles and force them to like the bullets of your choice!