So for Large rifle cartrages, how many grains do you increase when working up a load near max. So lets say that you have a powder that the load is listed 47-50g do once you get to lets say 49g do you work it up like 49.5 then 50 or would you just jump right to 50? What about inbetween? 47, 47.5, 48? how do you do it?

Gotta say Zap I usually go one grain at a time. So many of the manuals start really low. I know that at this point in time I'm 3 grains over max shown for my Rem 8mm mag with H4831 and though it's a hot load I'm not showing any pressure signs. Seems to be the norm for my loading all the high capacity cases I use.

When I was developing loads for the new Ruger 204 cases with Alliant 10X powder loads were stepped by .2 grain at a time. Much smaller case capacity and pretty good jumps in velocity with those small steps.

I sure reccommend a Chrono as part of your reloading tools. It's become invaluable for me in working up loads. Ranchdog has been using some pressure testing equipment with good results and that may be a good step for any reloader flirting with top or above the top loads.

I've long advised people to work with percentages of charge rather than absolute grain weights. Percentage works no matter what the charge weight is.

Begin with START loads, obviously and always. You aren't using the EXACT components nor rifle that the ballistic lab did.

Assuming the start load is safe, bump up the charge by two percent of the maximum load. (Example: The book has a start charge of 63.0 grains and a max charge of 70.0 grains for that bullet/case/primer/bullet. Your second test load should be bumped up by 2% of 70, or 1.4 grains. Round to 1.5 for ease.)

Continue working up in 2% intervals until you get to a 95% charge level. (In the example above, 95% of 70 grains is 66.5 grains.) From there on up, use 1% intervals. (Or 0.7 grains in the example)

Stop when you get to the first of three conditions: 1. signs of high pressure; 2. the tightest group; or 3. the book MAXIMUM charge.

If you are lucky, you'll get your best groups somewhere about 2% under the book max. If you like, you can tweak the load by loading .5% either side of that "best" charge, but you may not see any appreciable differences.

Rocky's got a good point. Often the hottest load is not the most accurate. I've always prefered loads that are accurate (small group size) than the top of the fps chart.

I doubt that any animal you shoot at would know the difference between even a couple of hundred fps at most ranges we take game at.

With a few notable exceptions, I've always found the most accurate loads to be just under published maximums. Yes, the maximums vary all over the place with differing manuals, but if you look at how they established the loads you will note the variance with action/barrel lengths, primers, cases, brands of bullets, etc.

Try to pick one that most represents the combination you will be using or the manual you have the most faith in.

As for me, I work up in .5 gr increments until common sense says the upper limit is reached, then back off .5 or 1.0 grains, or the best accuracy is indicated.

Thanks! for the info.

Again, the major point I wanted to make is that you really can't set a hard and fast "x grains" per load increment. If you're working up a load for a .22 Hornet, 1.0 grain increments can take you from safe to blown case in one step, whereas using 1.0 grain increments in some mega-ultra magnum is just wasting time and components.

Percent of charge is the correct and sensible way to do load increments for workups.

I go up .5gr at a time for both 30-06 and 338 WM...

I've found what kdub suggested to be the rule rather than the exception. It's exactly what I do and always get good results. My best 25-06 load is slightly over "max published data" but no high pressure signs at all and more importantly, extremely accurate. My 243 is right at max, my 300WM, 7mm RM, and 45-70 are all just under max. I will add I generally do load development with powders/bullet weights that require a full case of powder with the lowest published pressure. That way I always have a little head room to work with, sort of like a built-in safety margin.

For most calibers, I agree with the above. .223 and .30-06, usually most accurate is a step or two below max. The biggest exception is my 22-250. It absolutely loves hot loads - no matter what the bullet, I start at mid-range and have poor groups, and watch them tighten as I go up. Then at max or slightly over, I'm at .5"

Definitely need a Chronograph for that rifle...

Overall I follow what Kdub and others indicated. I have always moved in .5 increments. I ditto the other comments about the most accurate loads. Both in my 30-06 and 308 the most accurate was just under the posted max.

On the other hand I liked what Rocky shared. I may be trying that process next time. My concern would be that by changing the load by over 1 full grain, I may miss that sweet accurate spot if for some reason it is well below the max load listed. That said, I will give it a try next time.

Brad S
Hebrews 10:39