My Basic Load Development Method (no QuickLoad required)

[Petey308]

My Basic Load Development Method (no QuickLoad required)

TL;DR: Find max OAL for the bullet/brass, hunt a powder-charge node with a chrono (3-shot groups, 0.2 gr steps), pick the middle of the node and verify with 5–10 rounds, then (if needed) check seating-depth in 0.003" steps. Always start below published loads and use safe procedures.

Why use a chronograph
Group size alone is often misleading. A chrono lets you find a velocity node — a range of charges where velocity flattens — which gives you a load that tolerates small variations.

Step 0 — Setup & safety

• Work from published load data and start at or below recommended starting charges.
• Inspect components and follow safe reloading practices. If you don't know max pressure for a combo, be conservative and look it up.
• Use a reliable chronograph and log everything.

Step 1 — Establish usable OAL

• Find max OAL for the bullet/ brass in your rifle. I typically start ~0.015–0.020" off the lands, or at the max magazine length if feeding is required. Be consistent in which OAL you choose to start with.

Step 2 — Powder charge node search (chrono method)

• Load 3 rounds at each charge weight.
• Increase charge in 0.2 gr increments (good resolution and safe step size).
• Shoot each 3-shot string over the chrono and record: Shot 1, Shot 2, Shot 3, Average, SD, ES. Example record:
  

  Charge X.XX gr
  1-
  2-
  3-
  Avg-
  SD-
  ES-

• Plot or inspect average velocities. Typical increase is ~20–30 fps per 0.2 gr. A node shows as much smaller increase or a flat/negative change.
• Ideal node width: ~0.5–1.0 gr. Note start and end of the node.

Step 3 — Validate & pick your charge

• Pick a charge in the middle of the node.
• Load 5–10 rounds at that charge and shoot for groups. Record group sizes and chrono data. If groups and MV/SD are good, you’re nearly done.

Step 4 — Seating depth node (only if needed)

• If groups aren’t where you want them, test seating depth in 0.003" steps (small enough to find nodes, not so large as to change pressures dramatically).
• Load 3–5 rounds per seating depth, test groups, and pick the best OAL. Avoid big jumps like .010–.020".

Step 5 — Final checks

• Zero the rifle and verify at hunting distance. Record true MV and SD/ES.
• If you want more repeatability: uniform primer pockets, sort brass by lot/weight, use comparator base-to-ogive OAL, mandrel sizing and anneal as needed.

Extra tips

• Barrel tuners can help you find a harmonic sweet spot to reduce sensitivity to seating depth.
• If SD/ES remains high, check brass uniformity, primers, scale precision (0.02–0.05 gr recommended), and neck tension before swapping powders.
• Keep a detailed log: charge, seating depth, OAL, primer, brass lot, temp, MV/SD/ES, and group sizes. Data > memory.

Aaron Peterson — Hawkeye Ammosmithing