Thread: Keeping it Simple for New Handloaders

Originally Posted by caberslash

Personally don't agree with this methodology.

Started out reading that this was the way (chase the lands, seat X thou off etc.), didn't have terrible accuracy but not that awesome either.

Learned about bullet designs and Tangent/Secant/Hybrid ogives.

Researched the original cartridge specs.

Then started to load 'jump friendly' bullets to factory length, and magic happens. This was most pronounced on the .308.

Does not help when there are no clear definitions on target vs. hunting loads, seen guys trying to replicate some sort of F-class load on their hunting rig.

If your rifle is wearing a factory barrel then neck-turning/reaming won't do anything and seating to the lands is probably going to make the rifle a single shot due to mag length restrictions.

If I were to start someone off I would say find a factory load that shoots good, then replicate that 1:1 or as close as possible, then progress from there.

Reloading is either about saving money or working up a super-tuned load, trying to do both at the same time usually doesn't work!

I should have said "don't worry about the lands". It would have made more sense.

As you note, most of the time there is a big jump just to fit in the magazine.

What I really meant is chose a distance from the lands and work on powder charge and don't bother worrying about it. As apposed to finding a powder charge for velocity and then adjusting the seating depth for accuracy.

Seeing as we are disagreeing with things, I don't agree with duplicating factory loads.

Unless you are using a high BC projectile, getting it to group better than 2" at 100m is a waste of time anyway.

Nothing more pointless than wind sensitive flat bases that shoot tight groups at 100m if that's not their sole purpose.

You won't need those tight groups until miles past the useful range of an ordinary projectile.

Duplicated a 55gr V-max load in a 22-250. Got it shooting better then the factory half inch loads. Took forever. Had to change powders and brass. Then realised a 12lb varmint rifle was useless at long range shooting a low BC projectile. It was nothing more than a mediocre 100m target rifle.

Still fun though.

A VLD shooting 1.5" would be more useful at range than a corloct shooting 0.5"

Tight groups at 100m is precision, not accuracy.

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