Factory Loads

[Cammy]

It is important that you understand that I am not getting into reloading to "tune" loads to shoot .000015 5 shot groups at 1000 yards in an 80 mph cross wind with a 130 grain titanium tipped bullet running at light speed. I am in this because the cost and availability of ammo for my WSM is getting out of hand. I just need to be able to build reliable hunting ammo through this process.

I recently purchased a chronograph (Magneto speed V3) to get an idea of how fast some of my favorite factory loads are going. I know that manufactures have propriety blends of powder and that what I will buy will never match factory burn rate and pressure curves. Should I, when looking at load recipes, look for loads close to factory ammo speed? If my factory ammo runs at 3000fps, should I look for recipes that list that as a potential speed? (Yes I know what ladder testing is).

Don't want to fall into the hole when all I need is a round that closely mimics factory ballistics and speed. Sometimes I have to remind myself that not everyone is in this for recreating "factory" results. I also know that I do not know enough about this yet to not ask basic questions.

 

[std7mag]

The crono is good for checking that something is not way out of wack.
If you suddenly get speeds that are say 200fps faster over velocities in the manual, something is wrong.

Myself, I don't use the crono much.
I focus on making accurate ammo, not chasing velocities.
A deer isn't going to know the difference if it's 50fps faster or slower.
Most of my reloading is done with hunting in mind.
So I can get behind wanting to have ammo available for obsolete, hard to get, or flat out expensive cartridges.
I like being able to load my obsolete cartridges with powders and bullets that you'll probably never get in factory ammo.
Like a 115gr Berger VLD over a charge of RL17 in my 250 Savage.

Bottom line, do your ladder test. Look for the accuracy.
Don't chase velocity.

 

[mtmuley]

Not using a chronograph for handloading is foolish. mtmuley

 

[Alpine01]

Should be able to get factory velocities without too much effort. All of my handloads are better than factory speeds; not by a bunch but certainly noticeably better. Once I get acceptable velocities (with no pressure signs), then accuracy dominates. I have yet to have the fastest load also be my most accurate. Agree with @mtmuley, not measuring your velocities seems rather short-sighted. Just my $0.02.