How many do you load

[Johnnyjr]

How many rounds do you load for load testing with cast bullets. I usually only load 3 in increments of .3 grain's of powder. Most testing in done at 25 to 30 yards. Oh,this is in my Henry big boy 44. And if the weather is nice I might shoot them over the chronograph. I keep a log book on all my loads and number of loads shot thru the rifle..

[Rifletom]

In my .45 Colt Henry, I first loaded 10, as it is a old stand-by load for it. Three may tell you something. Was it plain luck or not? For me, I need more than three to see where the consistency is. Sometimes five, but, usually ten. Same with my .357 Henry. I forget about jacketed bullets; haven't shot those for a while now. Hope this helps a bit.

[Headhog]

I'm with Tom. I load 10 rounds of a particular load for testing and then fire 2 - 5 shot groups for accuracy. When I chrono I shoot 5 round test for average velocity , standard deviation and extreme spread. I feel I get a more accurate representation of the load.

Paul

[Johnnyjr]

Sounds good. Maybe I'll start loading 5 but my thought is,if it is not looking like a good load with 3 why waste the other 2 shots. It's the way I used to do it when shooting the F class matches years ago. Appreciate your replies.. Johnny

[Ridgerunner665]

To figure out rough velocities for a new load....1 at a time until I find the speed I'm looking for.

For accuracy testing, 5 rounds.

I don't shoot much cast, it's usually stuff like Swift A-Frames or Cutting Edge solids...too expensive to fire any more than necessary... even XTP's, I still try not to go through too many with load testing.

[Johnnyjr]

Interesting. Jackets are too expensive for me.. retired limited income..

[Ridgerunner665]

Yeah I hear you, I don't shoot near as much as I used to...except a good bit of 22 to keep the trigger finger in shape.

I'm still shooting on 300 XTP's I bought a few years ago when I got the Henry... that is to say I don't have much to spend on them either.

[tcpip95]

Following this thread as I'm looking to start reloading shortly.

[Vaquero]

I generally load 5 rds. in .2 increments, then whichever shows best. I do .1 increments up and down from there.

RP

[Johnnyjr]

I used to do 5 but dropped to 3..I have some different cast bullets to try so I might go back to 5. Damn weather makes for tough range time..

[JVogler]

I only shoot 22lr, 38 special 357magnum. I reload for38 and 357. When working up a load for a new bullet I usually load 10 across recipe minimum to maximum, fire 5 in GP100 and 5 in Henry Big Boy Brass. I grade in order from best to worst for 3 categories, best revolver, best rifle and best combination.

[Johnnyjr]

Sound like a plan.. Appreciate it

[GunnyGene]

Since I don't reload in the context of this thread, I just keep everything loaded 24/7. When I shoot up a box, I buy 2 to replace it. That's how I reload. Been doing that for years.

[Ceapea]

When I’m investigating a new load, I’ll load 15 to 20 of a particular recipe. I know that for any given 5 rd or so, I can screw up. So I usually shoot 5 rd at 3 or 4 targets to get an idea of what a load will do for me.

[JVogler]

When testing a recipe I don't use a rest, I free hand it but I'm not that steady. My Big Boy Brass 357 is way more accurate than I am. Some recipes the revolver will be all over target whereas the rifle will almost pattern the same.