Need reloading help

[sierracharlie338]

Ok heres the deal, I have two weeks to get a load together for a rifle that traditionally has given me fits in terms of reloading. Max range for the upcoming hunt will probably be 300 or less. Gun in question is Ruger Mk II in 257 Rob AI. It has a new quality barrel hence the AI and less than 50 rounds through it.

What is the quickest most efficient way to iron out a load in your opinion? I am open to suggestions because in the past I have never been under time constraints to find a load and needless to say it wasn't done in a timely fashion. For what its worth, I have some fire formed winchester brass, 1x fired, and non fire formed Nosler brass. Only have access to a 200 yard range for the next two weeks and a limited time to be at it, maybe 2-3 trips max. I have a magnetospeed for data collection as well.

What would be your methodology if you were in my position?

 

[mtwarych]

I'm not sure what components you are using but I have had real good luck using the most accurate loads shown on the Nosler reloading data site.

Maybe you can get an idea where to start. There is 257RobAI data on the site. good luck.

Nosler Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.

load-data.nosler.com

 

[sierracharlie338]

Im looking for speedy process suggestions not component suggestions. I have the components ironed out but thanks for the suggestion. The main concern is getting a load worked up in the two week time period.

 

[Laguna Freak]

I'm not sure what components you are using but I have had real good luck using the most accurate loads shown on the Nosler reloading data site.

Maybe you can get an idea where to start. There is 257RobAI data on the site. good luck.

Nosler Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.

load-data.nosler.com

Good starting place. Then I would probably seat .010 to .025 off lands in 3 shot groups at .005 intervals. If that did not produce results I like, I would probably seat .040 to .075 off lands in .005 increments, looking for accuracy.

I would think you can find a satisfactory load for 400 yards minus in pretty short order.

 

[sierracharlie338]

So take the accuracy charge from the Nosler load data and play with seating depths?

obviously working up to the charge to make sure its safe

 

[mtwarych]

Yup, that's pretty much what I intended.

I was not suggesting components just a place to start.

I use the Nosler load data to get my 257Rob Ruger Hawkeye to shoot very well.

Good luck.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Yup, that's pretty much what I intended.

I was not suggesting components just a place to start.

I use the Nosler load data to get my 257Rob Ruger Hawkeye to shoot very well.

Good luck.

Got you thanks for the reply.

 

[aushunter1]

Im looking for speedy process suggestions not component suggestions. I have the components ironed out but thanks for the suggestion. The main concern is getting a load worked up in the two week time period.

Find someone with quickload!

OR

Load 4 rounds at 1gr increments from Min to Max powder charge seated 10thou off the lands.

Pick the best group from that then load 4 more each @ 5thou, 4 more @ 15thou, 4 more at 20thou

= 2 trips to the range & 28 rounds.

If there is only 3gr between between Min & Max load then consider .5gr powder charge incriments instead following the same process as above = 36 rounds.

If you are able to load at the range then that would speed things up.

 

[JMW67]

You said you have the components ironed out what bullet and powder combo are you looking at using you must have some data with these so it would be a good starting point

 

[Jud96]

I would find your lands. Then start .020 off. Seat bullets in .005 increments deeper and shoot 3 shot groups until you find the best one. Then start with powder. Pick your powder of choice, start 2gr under max, load from 2gr under max to book max in 0.5gr increments. Stop if you hit pressure. Pick the load that either has the lowest ES or the load that meets your velocity goals and still has low ES. If you're only shooting 300 yards, I would focus more on accuracy than an ES that's low. Anything with an ES under 30 will be good enough.

 

[Vossman5]

Will be starting to reload next year, so going to follow for info

 

[just_jon]

Without knowing what components you have on hand, I can only tell you what works for me, I'm shooting a 100 gr Nosler BT seated 0.020" from the lands with 49.5 grains of IMR 4350. I'm getting 3,230 fps with ES of 12 and SD of 5 in my 26" T/C Encore barrel. I started with IMR 4350 because my 250 Savage AI shoots lights out with it, I had a ton of it and it is Nosler's most accurate powder tested in multiple 25 calibers.

Given your time crunch, I would use the 1x fire formed brass.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Find someone with quickload!

OR

Load 4 rounds at 1gr increments from Min to Max powder charge seated 10thou off the lands.

Pick the best group from that the load 4 more @ 5thou, 4 more @ 15thou, 4 more at 20thou

= 2 trips to the range & 28 rounds.

If there is only 3gr between between Min & Max load then consider .5gr powder charge incriments instead following the same process as above = 36 rounds.

If you are able to load at the range then that would speed things up.

Thanks for the info. I will most likely be pulling some equipment together to load at the range just for this scenario. Know anyone with quick load

 

[sierracharlie338]

You said you have the components ironed out what bullet and powder combo are you looking at using you must have some data with these so it would be a good starting point

Powder will be the same but bullets will be different. At the risk of going on a tangent, that fire forming powder charge choice and bullet combo were atrocious. Basically just loaded some rounds to fire form and save the accubonds for fire formed brass.