cahunter805
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 27, 2014
- Messages
- 2,559
This is what I would try also.
Magnum works great in the 257Wby in my experience. So does H1000.
Ladder test interpretation
- Thread starter golfer
- Start date
Magnum works great in the 257Wby in my experience. So does H1000.
mevertsen
Well-known member
Here's my thoughts.
I've been reloading for 20 years.
I have not reloaded a magnum cartridge.
My largest is .30-06.
Obviously, it seems you are dealing with a new gun, but it appears it handles pressure fine. Some guns will show pressure early. (I have to be a bit conservative with my .223 single shot and .30-30).
For my .223, .300 BLK, .30-30, .243 I load in .5 grain increments when testing for pressure.
For my .30-06, I load in 1 grain increments (IMR and H4350), .5 with IMR4895.
For my PISTOLS, I load in .3 grain increments with FAST powder.
I load in groups of 3, 1 for pressure, then 2 for at least an initial group, after checking pressure. I start at the MAX listed charge, go down about 7 to 10 percent and divide it up there. My pressure ladders will only be about 5 rounds.
The trend for me loading that way usually means by the time I am near the top; I know two things.
a. Where is my max? Or is the max load safe?
b. As I go up, those two shot groups should start getting closer to each other, or at least, I'll have a real good idea.
I will also see clear differences in primers, sooting, etc.
I run the single pressure (often without a speed), then check the "group" with the other two rounds. One thing at a time.
When I find something promising, I will then load a few more, check velocity and a 3 or 5 shot group to confirm.
I want all this done in less than 20 shots. If I can't even get close with that, I'm wasting time.
Now, for your .257 Bee?
I'm going down from max in 1 grain increments.
15 shots. 5 to find pressure, and 2 to get an idea on accuracy. Its obvious your gun...
a. is ok with higher pressure loads, so as long as you're not going out in to truly no man's land, experimental bullets, data that isn't available, etc., I would be comfortable with that latter.
b. your gun is reasonably accurate, so space your charges out a bit to see a difference
You are burning a metric shit ton of powder. Your tests are so close in powder wise, you are almost in the area of error on any individual component. The percentages are so small, you are just wasting time and energy.
My bet is if you space things out a little, you will see better patterns.
Good luck.
I've been reloading for 20 years.
I have not reloaded a magnum cartridge.
My largest is .30-06.
Obviously, it seems you are dealing with a new gun, but it appears it handles pressure fine. Some guns will show pressure early. (I have to be a bit conservative with my .223 single shot and .30-30).
For my .223, .300 BLK, .30-30, .243 I load in .5 grain increments when testing for pressure.
For my .30-06, I load in 1 grain increments (IMR and H4350), .5 with IMR4895.
For my PISTOLS, I load in .3 grain increments with FAST powder.
I load in groups of 3, 1 for pressure, then 2 for at least an initial group, after checking pressure. I start at the MAX listed charge, go down about 7 to 10 percent and divide it up there. My pressure ladders will only be about 5 rounds.
The trend for me loading that way usually means by the time I am near the top; I know two things.
a. Where is my max? Or is the max load safe?
b. As I go up, those two shot groups should start getting closer to each other, or at least, I'll have a real good idea.
I will also see clear differences in primers, sooting, etc.
I run the single pressure (often without a speed), then check the "group" with the other two rounds. One thing at a time.
When I find something promising, I will then load a few more, check velocity and a 3 or 5 shot group to confirm.
I want all this done in less than 20 shots. If I can't even get close with that, I'm wasting time.
Now, for your .257 Bee?
I'm going down from max in 1 grain increments.
15 shots. 5 to find pressure, and 2 to get an idea on accuracy. Its obvious your gun...
a. is ok with higher pressure loads, so as long as you're not going out in to truly no man's land, experimental bullets, data that isn't available, etc., I would be comfortable with that latter.
b. your gun is reasonably accurate, so space your charges out a bit to see a difference
You are burning a metric shit ton of powder. Your tests are so close in powder wise, you are almost in the area of error on any individual component. The percentages are so small, you are just wasting time and energy.
My bet is if you space things out a little, you will see better patterns.
Good luck.
Wind Gypsy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2017
- Messages
- 2,226
Who's data is that?
If you're not seeing pressure signs, load 10-15 at 75 or 76 and see what you get for accuracy and velocity. Loading one round at each charge is a waste of time in my opinion. I know some guys like it but it's just not enough data
TheJason
Well-known member
Personally I’d look at a different powder.
