does load testing ever end

[Evan03]

finaly loaded up some 125 nosler balistic tipps in 3006 cases. had to bump my seater die way down to get the 125s in the kneck. theyre about 1/4" shorter than the same 165 bullets that i have scrapn nose and tail in mag belly so that they can ride on the lands at ignition.

i figured i didnt need to push the light 125s fast. thats what the 2506 is for so i looked through the nosler book and found the load that was movn the slowest that was 56.5grs of 4831 doing 2900 and some change.

i was kinda lookin for load to get 2506 like recoil from the 3006. but i think that isnt going to happen with the powders i have. 2506 useing 4831 and pushn 120s is useing bout 7grs less powder to achieve the same velocities. ooops just checked the book. the list imr4350 as the slowest 125 powder i substituted h4350, thats also theyre most acurate load with the 125.

also switched powder to h4350 pushn sierra 75s in the 2506.

aswell as trying 4831 in the 220.

then on the list to brew today are some 90gr 257 X bullets for the 2506. havent yet decided wich powder i want to try first behind these bullets.
then theres still two bullets on the reloading bench that havent been touched yet. actualy 3 50gr nos 224 bts, 75gr horn hollow points 257 and 75 vmaxes in 257.

cant belive i havent burned myself out on reloading yet. maybe the reloading phase is stickin this time. i sure hope so.

later
Evan

[Rocky Raab]

Evan, Hodgdon lists a "Youth" deer load in the 30-06 with the Nosler 125 BT.

As with all their Youth loads, they use H4895 powder. The 30-06 load calls for 40.5 grains for 2600 fps.

[Evan03]

yeah

i dont have that powder and none of my powders lend themselfs to downloading so about as low as i go is the minumum starting loads. then maybe a hair lower. but i wont spend the money to produce loads that light.

though i would like to get all these 125s loaded and get back to doing the 165s . if i find a load that shoots 1.5" or less with these 125s then ill load up all of em i have in that load and not look back.

[Cal Sibley]

I've been reloading for over 40 years now and see no way it'll end short of closing the coffin lid. It's like a disease. No matter how accurate the load some of us are always looking for one that is even better. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[Catfish]

Load testing for my .17 AH was a 1 day thing. The only powder I ever tried in that gun was H-4227. I tied only 2 or 3 different bullets. When I got to max. loads with the 19 gn. Calhoon bullets and the group was just under 1/4 of and in. at 100 yrds. I thought that was good enough for a carry gun and and the on other loads I`ve loaded for the gun were some Berger MEF bullets and I never even checked the accuracy with these since they are intended for coon at very close range. BUT I`ve always got atleast 5 rifles that I want to do load work on.

[Adam Helmer]

Evan03,

Excellent Post and question! I have often wondered if load testing will ever end since it seems every time I visit my local gunshop there are a few more, new, powders on the shelf. I have pretty much settled on 3 or 4 rifle powders, 4 or 5 pistol and shotgun powders and called it quits on new load development since I have recorded all my accuracy loads.

Working up new accuracy loads is fun, but expensive and time consuming so I just keep reloading my old standbys that are pretty good. A friend visited me last year from England and he was amazed at the huge selection of components we Americans are blessed with. I took him to a few local and well-stocked gunshops and he was in awe. We do have it good in the component department and that is as it should be everywhere.

Adam

[8X56MS]

well, for me anyway, to some extent, load development does end.
I have always tended to try a number of loads for a cartridge. Different bullets, different powders or primers. Once I find a load that really works in a particular rifle or handgun, then I will use that same load for years.
An example is my 7mm Ackley. Once I settled on 3031 powder and a Sirrra Game King, then I stopped. It has done me well for over 10 years now.
Same for my .44 mag deer load. 270 grain Speer GDSP, and H110 powder. Works so well, no need to experiment any more.

[razmuz]

I started reloading in 1957. My purpose was to work up about 1000 perfect rounds for my rifle in case I might move to Alaska where bullets were scarce. Well boys, I ain't got to either place yet.

[bulletpusher]

Evan03,

You asked does load testing ever end. Lord in Heaven, I hope it never ends. I enjoy shooting to much to give it up and load testing is the best excuss I've got.

Working up hand loads can be and is fun. I don't mind the process of loading my own, and some times I find a new powder, primer, brass or bullet that is suppose to shoot like a laser beam and all of the loads will hit in the same hole. (Yea right!) Well, I do keep trying.

Have a good one (what ever a good one is)

Bulletpusher ("BBRSSC #1)

[PaulS]

Every time I buy a new lot of powder, test a replacement bullet or get new cases I begin the load development process. Granted I don't have to do that often, 8 pound kegs of powder go a long way and I haven't had to buy new cases since I got my 358 Win. a few years back. I am going to have to buy a new keg of H-110 and so I will have to check my loads for pressure and accuracy when I do that but only for two of the calibers that I load. Loads change over time for me by small amounts because of differences in lot to lot changes. I standardized all my loads with Hodgdon powders a few years back because Winchester kept dropping and adding new powders. I use Sierra and Speer bullets because they never seem to change and are available in my area. I only use CCI and Winchester primers and loads are worked up with the components that provide the best accuracy over a wide range of environmental conditions over prolonged test periods. I probably am a bit @n@l-retentive about keeping records - even the failures - and have records that date back to the early '70s when I started reloading.
Load development never ends until you stop pulling on the handle of your press - ain't life great?
PaulS
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