SmallCaliberCentral

Guys when load developing a .204 ruger , what stage incroments would you go up in when doing a ladder test, 0.2, 0.3 etc???

And where would you start with the powder, at the bottom of the scale, ie starting load (Min) , or start 10% lower of the max load and work up?

Thanks for your help in advance guys, its a great help


Steve.

Steve/ I start with the start load, then make 4-5 of each load in .5 groups up to the max load shown in the book, I am using.
They when I find one or two of those that look good, I then make some in .1 or .2 groups. From there try different COL/depths on the bullet seating. When I find one, of course, that is what I want then I lock onto that one. At least that is my manner of choice. Bill K

I do mine differently in that I run an OCW. 3 rnd each, round-robbin in .2-.3 gr increments across the load band. That's around 6-7 load values for the powders I've tested. I usually leave out the min load. I've found that I will miss an accuracy node if I pick a larger increment. Especially since most loads are about a 2gr band for the .204.

If you're using the Vmax bullets, watch your seating carefully. They have a secant ogive and it is sensitive to seating depth. .005" either way and your groups will open up. Nosler and Sierra use a tangent ogive and are less sensitive to depth.