Testing Handloads- How Many Rounds Is Enough?

[Shasta]

I was just wondering, how many rounds do you other handloaders fire to determine whether or not any given load is a keeper? How much testing do you do before you write a load off?

As for me, I shoot strictly handloads with handcast bullets (except of course for .22 LR). When trying a new load or a new component in a load, I usually make up 10 rounds and shoot them off the bench over a chronograph in five shot groups at 50 yards, using a new target for each group. I shoot iron sights, and about two minutes of accuracy is the best I can hope for. Many of my test loads don't shoot all that well, and I give up on them if they don't group at least three of the five shots on one target within a couple inches. I have a file cabinet full of old targets, some pretty good, most pretty bad. They are a great reference for showing me what works. And they keep me from repeating something I tried that didn't work before.

So how many rounds is enough? For me, ten if it's a really bad load!


SHASTA

[JBledsoe]

.

For me it's only three. If it is a good group then I load and shoot more. If it is a bad group then why waste time and ammo with further testing. OK, so I reject some that may have potential, doesn't matter, it will still have the stigma of a bad load and that will be in my mind. So why not just work with the good loads. Sometimes they will turn out bad also, but I will have enough good loads to select one or two excellent loads. It works for me.

.

[KirkD]

I'll usually load one round, step out the back door, and fire it across my chronograph. Once I get a load that is the right velocity, then I'll load 10 rounds and take it to the range and try it out. I have a pretty good idea what powders go best with what cast bullets/cartridges, so usually my experimental loads are pretty good first time out. There are exceptions, however. If the first few shots demonstrate that I got a real bad load, I don't fire the rest. I bring the live rounds home, pull the bullets, and reload to something better.

[Tycer]

One across the chrony, Ten for group and consistency, Fifty for function and different temps.

[adirondakjack]

I load five and put em over the chrony. If they aren't CONSISTENT, , there's little hope of em grouping. If they are consistent ,and in the velocity range I wanted, I make five more and shoot em at paper.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I load enough for 3 groups of 3 which equals 9 according to my genius math skills. I know by round #9 if load is a keeper or not.

[stretch]

I usually load ten of each powder charge and then shoot 5.
If I get a bad group, I've got 5 more to confirm that it's the
load and not the shooter!

Like most of the other guys have said, the really good and the
really bad loads are obvious!

-Stretch

[Don McDowell]

I go with 3-5 rounds then pick the best of the bunch and load 10.
Seldom ever use my chrony, if a load is cutting clover leafs, it matters little what the speed is, unless you're shooting something that has velocity requirments..

[JReed]

I don't have a chrono so I will load 10-20. This gives me enough to rule out my self and ensure proper function and accuracy.

[rimrock]

I'd say it depends. Are you familiar with your gun and optic? Are you sure you hold your rifle in a consistent manner? How much total trigger time do you? Do you want a 1/2" group or is killing accuracy good enough? Shoot it enough that you are satisfied the results can be repeated.

rimrock

[Old Savage]

I generally load 5 for 10. Good loads show up by then.

[J Miller]

There are many variables, but on the average I load 50 rounds. 99% of what I load is from a loading manual or a reliable source so if the load isn't up to snuff accuracy wise, I can use it for plinking.

Also since I have multiple guns in each caliber I need enough to test through all of them.

Joe