••• COLUMN
LOAD
DEVELOPMENT
FRANS DREYER
- achieve the accuracy potential of your rifle
THE RELOADING OF AMMUNITION HAS RE- ALLY TAKEN ROOT OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF YEARS , PARTICULARLY AMONGST HUNTERS . IN THE PAST THE RELOAD- ING OF AMMUNITION WAS MOSTLY DONE BY TARGET SHOTS .
The main reasons for the reloading of ammunition are affordability and the wide selection of reloading components , which in turn enable shots to reload tailor-made ammunition with an optimal performance in a specific rifle .
The development of a load for a specific rifle is , however , often easier said than done ! There is no easy technique and time on the shooting range is inevitable . The time on the shooting range should , however , be approached in the correct manner in order to ensure that the cost saving objective of reloading ammunition does in fact realise .
Various load development techniques are in use . These techniques vary from shooting 5 rounds in 0.5gr increments from the minimum to the maximum load as recommended by the gunpowder manufacturer to using the QuickLOAD programme to identify a guide load . A 5 shot grouping exercise is normally a time consuming and expensive process since the shooter will have to shoot at least 10 groups of five rounds , with even more groups thereafter in order to refine the results of the best groups . The human factor and environmental factors also play a role during the group shooting sessions . QuickLOAD on the other hand is becoming more and more popular amongst reloaders . The problem is , however , that very few reloaders really understand how the programme works and the requirements for determining a safe guide load for your rifle . One calculation error with QuickLOAD can have catastrophic consequences . Nevertheless , QuickLOAD specialists are available who can do the calculations at a cost on behalf of the client . Many a shooter has been helped in this way , which emphasises the cost and time-saving advantages of QuickLOAD .
This article will focus on a safer method for the average reloader , namely the Incremental Load Development method , developed by the Frenchman , Creighton Audette . Reloaders talk about the ladder or sweet spot-method . This method works well and in addition to the standard method , this article will explain a confirmatory method which will assist the reloader in identifying the correct shot in the sweet spot bundle for group tests .
HOW DOES THE LADDER METHOD WORK ? The point of departure is usually to purchase the correct components for your rifle . The choice of bullets , primers , brass manufacturer and propellant is normally a subject in its own right , but not the focus of this article .
30 JUN / JUL 2016 • SENWES Scenario