Really wanting to shoot it but I only have 2f on hand, any suggestions on a starting load?
Load development is pretty strait forward. I rough in my sighting so that I'm at least on paper at 50 yards.
This process will take place over time, not a one day trip to the range.
Post a target and write on it the load being used, patching material, primer and any other data that you think is pertinent.
Shoot a 3 shot group from the bench. Replace target and increase the load by 10 grains and shoot another 3 shot group. Post another target, increase load by 10 grains and so on and so forth.
At some point you will hit a load where your shots will nicely group and then at another load your shots will noticeably open up...This load where the group opens up is the
end point. From the
end point go back a couple loads and repeat the process but now you are only increasing each load by 5 grains for each target group.
Eventually you will find a load that is the most accurate with that combination of Ball, Patching and primer. Once you are satisfied, sit down and put the final touch on the sites.
I had a friend out working on a load for his gun and he selected a load because it grouped nicely around his point of aim. I looked over his targets and asked him, "
What about this load here...that group is about 1/2 an inch...it's the smallest group you've got?" His reply, "
Yeah but that group is low and not in the bullseye" So I showed him how to adjust his sites...so yeah..know the difference between
accuracy and
precision...they need to work together.
I'll use several different patching materials and change ball sizes...eventually you'll find a load for that gun that is perfect.
.45 calibre using 2fg powder...start a bit low say 30 to 35 grains and go from there...might find a real accurate squirrel load and a solid deer load as well.
Once you get some 3fg, try it again and see what changes...if nothing else you'll learn a lot about your gun and where it hits at various ranges etc.
I have a sweet little .45 that I use for deer and I patch it with heavy denim and a .40 calibre RB to hunt squirrels and rabbits...so it becomes my squirrel rifle at times. Pillow ticking and 6o grains will put a .440 ball into the vitals on big game every time out to just beyond 100 yards. Heavy denim patching and 40 grains is deadly with a .390 RB hunting squirrels....