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.