Do you clean before load development ?

[Lmi3]

Hi Guys,

new to reloading, I'm curious to hear your feedback on this.
My new rifle has about 300 rounds, and i'm planning to start my load development.

1. Should I clean before starting the process? Why? what's the benefit ?
2. When you clean after XXX Shots, do you re-do the load development again ?

Caliber: 6.5 CM
Rifle: AI ATX

God bless y'all

 

[RegionRat]

This one isn't a one size fits all answer. Different cartridges have different volume and use powders in slightly different ways, which means the carbon build up is a variable and different bullets may copper foul differently. That said...

When you have access to a chronograph, it is best to use it to track along with your cleaning and round count. If you notice the changes and they correlate to loss of dope or poor groups, you may have learned the limits of the system.

Starting with an unknown pattern is different than well known patterns like match guns. When hundreds and thousands of the same/similar pattern have been run, and the crowd's common experiences are shared, we don't have as much mystery. Your AI is an example that has lots of data from other users to establish expectations.

In an unknown situation, I would start with a good clean barrel and watch the velocity and the DOPE. If you are paying attention, the gun will tell you when it needs cleaning.

I generally find I don't need to repeat load development, but I do adjust for temperature changes and wear. With luck, the change rates are small and you can stay on point. YMMV

 

[straightshooter1]

Hi Guys,

new to reloading, I'm curious to hear your feedback on this.
My new rifle has about 300 rounds, and i'm planning to start my load development.

1. Should I clean before starting the process? Why? what's the benefit ?

Yes, it's always good practice to start load development with a clean barrel (after just a couple fouling rounds) to get a good baseline. Things can change the more rounds down the tube, so you'd want to be sure you know where your starting point is. I wouldn't want to start load development with 300 rounds down a barrel that hasn't been cleaned as the chances for significant changes can occur after that many rounds and just when "significant" changes might start before 300 rounds can only be determine with detailed record keeping (like MV's, temperatures, etc.). Once you find a good baseline load that works well, it should last for quite a while with good record keeping letting you know when you might have to change things up.

2. When you clean after XXX Shots, do you re-do the load development again ?

Caliber: 6.5 CM
Rifle: AI ATX

God bless y'all

You shouldn't have to do load development again, assuming you've done a good job at identifying a good load, until you actually see the load not work well anymore. That could be 500, 800 or more rounds down the road. And you should be cleaning more often than that. So, simply, the answer to that question is NO.

 

[Lmi3]

This one isn't a one size fits all answer. Different cartridges have different volume and use powders in slightly different ways, which means the carbon build up is a variable and different bullets may copper foul differently. That said...

When you have access to a chronograph, it is best to use it to track along with your cleaning and round count. If you notice the changes and they correlate to loss of dope or poor groups, you may have learned the limits of the system.

Starting with an unknown pattern is different than well known patterns like match guns. When hundreds and thousands of the same/similar pattern have been run, and the crowd's common experiences are shared, we don't have as much mystery. Your AI is an example that has lots of data from other users to establish expectations.

In an unknown situation, I would start with a good clean barrel and watch the velocity and the DOPE. If you are paying attention, the gun will tell you when it needs cleaning.

I generally find I don't need to repeat load development, but I do adjust for temperature changes and wear. With luck, the change rates are small and you can stay on point. YMMV

Thank you Sir !!

 

[Lmi3]

Yes, it's always good practice to start load development with a clean barrel (after just a couple fouling rounds) to get a good baseline. Things can change the more rounds down the tube, so you'd want to be sure you know where your starting point is. I wouldn't want to start load development with 300 rounds down a barrel that hasn't been cleaned as the chances for significant changes can occur after that many rounds and just when "significant" changes might start before 300 rounds can only be determine with detailed record keeping (like MV's, temperatures, etc.). Once you find a good baseline load that works well, it should last for quite a while with good record keeping letting you know when you might have to change things up.


You shouldn't have to do load development again, assuming you've done a good job at identifying a good load, until you actually see the load not work well anymore. That could be 500, 800 or more rounds down the road. And you should be cleaning more often than that. So, simply, the answer to that question is NO.

This goes straight to my reloading notes - Thank you !!!

 

[Shiftyk5]

Why is your gun not already clean?

 

[demarpaint]

I clean my rifles after shooting them, so in your case with 300 rounds through it, it was clean when I put it away. At 300 rounds I have a load for it, unless I'm working with a new bullet or another powder.

 

[Ex E6]

This goes straight to my reloading notes - Thank you !!!

Starting with a KNOWN CLEAN bore ,gives You a Baseline accuracy point . Others may differ in their methods but when I do load development , I start around upper middle of the load charge recommendation . I then load #5 upper # 5 middle and #5 lower .
Known as covering the ladder . From a clean bore " ALWAYS FIRE A FOULING SHOT " before judging groups . Say lower rounds loaded didn't fair well ,save for fouling and ditto with any rounds which don't meet your approval for accuracy .

Don't know if you're running a Bolt or Gas gun ?. I'm running Gas guns ,so MY OAL is gonna be different as MY lede is a tad longer than most . I'm also on the upper end of Charges , so BE cautious IF You decide to use any of this data !!!. Stay 0.020" off the lands .

130's Hornady ELD , 45.2 gr. ALL loads using N560 Berger's 130 gr. VLD 48.6 gr. Fps 2815 and I practice a fair amount using Sierra HPBT bulk bullets using 44.0 gr. Happy to say at 165 Yd. .250" - .410" groups with all these loads . I also have had Really GOOD results using N 540 VV powder as well as Winchester 6.5 StaBall

Again N560 VV powder ELD 140 gr. .44.0 gr. Fps 2726 , 143 ELD 44.8 gr. , Fps 2742 out of 22.5" 1:7.5 Custom barrel .
I'll post some targets from this barrel when I get it broke and dialed in . Photos are for a couple of other 6.5 CM's I've cobbled together .

 

[Kaldor]

I clean them, not to bare metal, but to what I would normally call "clean" for shooting. I run 3 foulers, then test.