Procedure for working up a load

**dk99358** · December 31st, 2015, 03:14 PM

My procedure is similar to what daschoz posted. I pick the bullet (for hunting ammo, I start with Hornady) and a suitable powder for the cartridge. I used to jump the powder charge just as he suggested, lately I've taken the max load, then load at 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 98% and sometimes 100% of that max. I usually load in groups of 3.

Shoot them off, see what the groups look like. From there, I take the best charge to refire and also go above and below halfway to the next charge I tested. These I load 6 and shoot 2 groups of 3.

From there, I select the best charge and then vary the seating depth. I load mostly hunting ammo so I always start at the COAL because I want absolute reliability in feeding from the magazine. After that, if I don't have the results I want, I try another powder or two. If I'm still not where I want to be, I try another bullet.

Dale

**Twoboxer** · December 31st, 2015, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ooglar

I just started reloading and was wondering what procedures to go through to make accurate ammo tailored to a gun. . . . just tested my first batch of 223. The 223 grouped around 3-4moa. What variable do I change first, powder charge? Bullet type ( I am using cheap winchester powerpoints)?

Can't emphasize this enough . . .

1) Read frankski's post #2 very carefully.
2) Read the articles he linked.

Then come back and ask the question again. You will know more, you will include more information, you will get more focused answers.

One final thought . . . accuracy starts with a quality bullet . . . and ends with consistent handloading and shooting. There's quite a few details in the middle, too

**cephas** · December 31st, 2015, 04:21 PM

You've gotten some good advice. All boils down to the same thing. Make a bunch more under and over your current load. I usually start with 1 grain increments and narrow in when I see them coming together. This may happen at a couple points when working up. I like using a chromo when working up loads to check the deviations but the target is what counts. As a final test ten shot groups don't lie.

**1st8th83** · December 31st, 2015, 04:58 PM

Thought this was a thread to a bad porn movie

**RockIsland** · December 31st, 2015, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by 1st8th83

Thought this was a thread to a bad porn movie

Use a fluffer?

**deadctr** · January 1st, 2016, 06:18 AM

Working up accurate loads is a lot of fun, and takes quite a bit of time. Lots of great advice above. Enjoy.

I might have missed it in previous comments, but you should also check to see at what OAL your bullet contacts the rifling. Then shorten it a couple hundredths. Be aware though that shortening the OAL will increase pressure. It's not great practice to load to an OAL which has the bullet on the rifling.

**Ooglar** · January 1st, 2016, 12:20 PM

I really need to not make new posts in the middle of night shifts, I'm half asleep and not thinking about the thread title.

My rifle is an 18" 1 in 8 twist ar15 chambered for 223 wylde. I'm shooting from a bench at 100 yards with a bipod and a 9 powered Nikon M223 scope in an ADM mount. My initial batch was loaded with 24gn of powder and a 64gn Winchester powerpoint bullet. The COAL was 2.250"

Last night a made batches of ammo ranging from 22gn to 25gn, same bullet and COAL, I'll test those today and hopefully get a better idea of what range of powder my rifle likes.

Thanks for all the input, anymore tips or suggestions are appreciated. I've been reading a ton and still feel there is so much left for me to learn and understand.

**BobGun** · January 1st, 2016, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Ooglar

I really need to not make new posts in the middle of night shifts, I'm half asleep and not thinking about the thread title.

My rifle is an 18" 1 in 8 twist ar15 chambered for 223 wylde. I'm shooting from a bench at 100 yards with a bipod and a 9 powered Nikon M223 scope in an ADM mount. My initial batch was loaded with 24gn of powder and a 64gn Winchester powerpoint bullet. The COAL was 2.250"

Last night a made batches of ammo ranging from 22gn to 25gn, same bullet and COAL, I'll test those today and hopefully get a better idea of what range of powder my rifle likes.

Thanks for all the input, anymore tips or suggestions are appreciated. I've been reading a ton and still feel there is so much left for me to learn and understand.

To get the best results I would use sand bags instead of a bi-pod. Even the best bi-pod will have wiggle built into it. When I test loads I use sand bags under the forearm and the butt stock. I also barely put the stock in my shoulder. This means you are testing the loads and not your ablilty to control your movements.

**PAwhitetailbowhunter** · January 1st, 2016, 11:15 PM

So an AR---Okay you are going to have a OAL that will allow you to fit the bullets in the magazine and feed reliably. 2.250" seem about right.
1-8 twist and You have 64 grain bullets. May a suggest Sierra Match King 69 grains or Hornady 75 grains? I have not used Winchester 64 grains they may be great, I just haven't used them
24 grains of WHAT powder? Like I posted before Varget and H-355 are both great .223 powders. Follow the published data for powder and bullet weight check for pressure signs such as flattened primers and you will get there.

Good luck.

**Hawk** · January 2nd, 2016, 10:25 AM

If you are only shooting at paper at 100 yards I don't see any advantage to using anything other than 55gn bullets (plus they are cheaper). Now if your shooting range was 300+ yards, I'd want to use a heavier (longer) bullet to help with the wind.
It's been my experience when working up and shooting .223 loads, the faster the bullet the more accurate it is. I typically start at 1.5 gns below max recommended load and work up from there in 1/2 grain increments. You'll need to be aware of temperatures when working up you loads. If you work them up in 30 degrees and try shooting them next summer in 80 degrees you may notice a change in group size. Varget is pretty popular because of its performance across wide temperature changes.