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scooterman>>
Welcome to Huntchat! Lots of good information here!
I don't claim to be an expert, but what I do is start with
a bullet, usually from Sierra or Hornady, that has a
reputation for reasonable accuracy. Next, I'll research
the powder recommendations for a specific cartridge,
information that you can always find here by simply
asking. Then, I'll start with a load well below maximum
for the particular powder I've chosen. I'll load 3 rounds.
I'll then bump the charge and load 3 more. I'll bump it
again and load 3 more. Next, I'll choose another powder
and do the same. I will often pick a 3rd powder and do
the same.
When I head to the range, then, I've got, in this case,
nine different loads using three different powders.
I'll fire a "fouling round," usually using a factory load.
I'll then shoot the loads I've prepared, typically keeping
each powder on a different target. I'm not so much
looking for which 3 shot group is the most accurate as
which powder shoots the different loads to the same
point of impact, give or take.
If I find a powder that shows some promise in this regard,
I'll work up more loads with that powder, bumping the
charge gradually towards max or even supra-max.
I'll shoot this time over a chronograph for sure, though
often I'll even take the chronograph on the first trip.
If the powder continues to show promise this second
time out, I should be close. If not, I'll look for another
powder and start over.
With a promising powder, it is at this point that I may
start playing with seating depth in an attempt to eek
out as much accuracy as possible. It is also at this point
that I'll try perhaps a different bullet.
When all is said and done, I can usually find a load that
will shoot with a respectable degree of consistency,
using a bullet designed for the task at hand, driven at
a velocity appropriate for the cartridge. If it's not
exactly shooting little cloverleafs, though, I have a tendency
to revisit the project each subsequent year.
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