Thread: Trying something, Eric Cortina method of load development

Right finally have my new press installed and loaded up final load test and confirmation.
I loaded up 6 rounds a month ago on my old press and it was bloody diabolic trying to seat accurately.
I took those 6 rounds to the range and shot them.
The first 3 were seated at 2.834" ogive length and whilst the speed was consistent it was a bloody awful group
Which surprised me as I had already found this seating depth and charge weight to shoot very very well.
I also shot 3 at 2.831" ogive and this shot a half inch group which is what I expected from the first load.
My mate pointed out to me that when i shot the first group i was lying prone but nearly 70° to the rifle which would likely have thrown my parallax out and possibly the cause of the poor group.
So rather than suffer using my old press again I bought a new press off a forum member and waited for that to arrive before loading anymore rounds.
Fast forward 1 month.
Loaded up 3 more at 2.834" on the new press and what a delight it was to use a press that seated accurately every time.
Went to the range and put 3 factory rounds through just to check the rifle was all good and foul the barrel.
Then shot my 3 hand loaded Berger rounds.
I think I'm done.
But I'll let the pic do the talking.





Today's fps are circled down the bottom of the list and are consistent with the last lot that I made up at the same spec as per 2 lines above.