Where do you start?

[bjtraz]

Ok, so I'm sitting down stairs loading a few rounds for my new Winchester M70, in 7mm-08, and I get to thinking (dangerous, I know). How do you know what powder/bullet/case/primer to start with. I mean, I get the concept, 'every gun shoots a certain load better than others'. But where do you start? Do you try every possible combination of powder/bullet/primer/case there is? I'm being facetious ;-), I know, but where?

I was loading Varget, which lists my bullet at one of the fastest speeds. I'll bet the book lists a dozen different powders for the weight bullet that I am using, and there is at least 6 different weights listed, and that is just ONE book. Do you try a fast powder, medium and then slow? Then do you change the weight of bullets, and start all over? It's mind boggling, if you play it out to it's inevitable conclusion. 

Just wanted to know how some of you approach loading for a new gun. While you ponder my questions, I've included a couple of gratuitous photos of said gun.     Sorry, no toes!

Brian

[ellis4538]

Kinda depends on what you want the load for and how high your expectations are for your rifle/load.  There are proven "Target" loads which work well GENERALLY if you want subMOA loads!  There are "Hunting" loads for different classes of game which your rifle/cal combo is suited for which, with a well placed shot will take down game quickly.  Two of the same brand/cal rifle off the line one after the other will often differ in what load/s they prefer so asking someone with the same combo as yours may or maynot work out.  Once you start to experiment it can be addictive and time consuming and costly.  A couple reloading manuals (usually the more the merrier) can be compared.  I would pick combos in the mid velocity range with the weight bullet you want.  Some loads will be more accurate at lower vel. and some at higher.  I wouldn't buy too much too quickly because you can end up with a lot of unusable/unwanted stuff that you may or may not be able to sell.

Yours is a tough question to answer and there is no one right answer!

Good luck,

Richard

[Solus]

Bitraz,  

If you don't have a bookshelf full of reloading manuals on hand, you might want to check out  LoadData at

http://www.loaddata.com/home/index.cfm?CFID=17041191&CFTOKEN=59060699

you can get a lot of loads for a particular cartridge without paying for the whole book, but they do charge for their info.

The loads you will find are there because guys who work at this found them worthwhile.

You will a selection of different powder types used and if you plan to reload for other cartridges, you can get that data too and find some common powders and start your load development with a few of those.

If you find a load that seems sweet for your terminal ballistic requirements, be it a tight group or enough ooomph at 400 yds to bring down the ram you are after, you got your load.  

If you like to fiddle, give another powder a try to see if you can improve on either the performance or cost of the load.

Powders come is several different configurations, some better for certain types of cartridges than others.  You might want to stick with the configuration type(s) you find used in the load data for your cartridge unless it just isn't getting close to where you need to be.

[alfsauve]

I've learned not to try to re-invent the wheel.   So I look at any new handloading cartridge two ways.

First, what's the MOST tried and true powder, if there is one, for that cartridge.   You can kind of tell by looking at as many different tables as you can find which powder seems to stand out as the standard.  The one every gun writer talks about using in that cartridge.  Now there are reasons for not going with it, but it's a starting point.   For example Unique in .45ACP  or H-110 in .357 mag or H-335 in .223).

Then, I look at what gives me the highest velocity for the lowest pressure.   What powder will put the least stress on the gun but give me the highest velocity at the same time.  Not the highest velocity necessarily and not the lowest pressure, but a balance. And what powder (especially in smaller pistol cases) gives me the most leeway between minimum and maximum loads.  (not necessarily applicable to rifles.)   

Those are my starting point.  Bullets of course, depending on what you're trying to do at the target end and the twist of the rifle.  I usually something in the middle of the range recommended for the twist I have.

[tombogan03884]

Others are covering the technical aspects, so let me point out the practical aspects.
The rounds purpose is the overriding detail.
My own objective was to get the best performance for several calibers with the minimum of powders, and to use the most available products. If I had to travel to Albania and learn the secret handshake I don't care how well it performs, it's not a practical component. If you only have one caliber, or you are looking for a 500 yard cloverleaf your only option is to buy or borrow some of a dozen different powders then load small batches and shoot them recording conditions and results  including chronograph data.

[Sponsor]

[fullautovalmet76]

BJ,
I would PM M25Operator. He is an excellent resource for things like this. I don't want to jinx him or put him on the spot, but I have never gotten bad advice from him.

Best of Luck!
-FA

[blackwolfe]

I haven't started reloading yet, but I have a few reloading manuals that I have been studying and gathering information from places like this.  A common thread that I have read seems to be that quite often the fastest loads are not the most accurate.  I did buy some componets and had a friend construct some cartridges for me for a .32-20 that I have.  When I bought the powder, which I don't recall what it is right now, I remember looking for a powder that was common to some other cartridges I may load for at some point.  I also looked for a powder that would yield a moderate velocity at fewer grains per load which would give more loads per pound of powder, therfore costing less per cartridge.  It's the Dutch in me.