First load development

[UndFrm]

Hi

This is the very first load development. I have read and watched stuff but wanted to run it by you guys to ensure this is the most efficient.

6mm Dasher
New chamber and barrel
Alpha brass

Got a starting and safe powder load.
Loading 2 (or 3?) cartridges per load and increasing it by .1 until I find the consecutive nodes (at least 2).
When I do find the node, do the seating depth with the said powder charge with varied depths.
My starting load will be, let's say 31.6
Which means I'll have a total of at least 20 cartridges if the ideal load is 32.5, or more if I have to go above.
Should I do 3 shots per charge?

Any other critiques?
Will be watching the velocity and the pressure signs. Not going to go above 2950fps, according to the loads I have read, unless absolutely 0 pressure signs.

Thank you

 

[db2000]

I go in 0.3 gr increments. Honestly, not sure being new at this, if you can accurately measure 0.1 differences. Hell, I have an AutoTrickler V4 and Fx-120i scale and doubt I’d be confident doing that. If all that sounds foreign, give it some time. You too will be dropping $1K to save time. Welcome to the rabbit hole. I also don’t start at the lowest point with something as well known as 6 Dasher w/ Alpha brass. More like 2 gr below max usually for a bolt gun. Gas guns will run higher pressures in case you’re not aware. Be careful reloading for those.
You haven’t specified what powder(s) you’re trying though and what chrono to record velocity.

 

[UndFrm]

I go in 0.3 gr increments. Honestly, not sure being new at this, if you can accurately measure 0.1 differences. Hell, I have an AutoTrickler V4 and Fx-120i scale and doubt I’d be confident doing that. If all that sounds foreign, give it some time. You too will be dropping $1K to save time. Welcome to the rabbit hole.

The reason for .1 increment was the case capacity. I might be skipping over nodes if I am with .3 and will run out of the capacity.

Although, you have a good point. Will I even read and notice the difference with just .1 difference.

Thank you

 

[db2000]

The reason for .1 increment was the case capacity. I might be skipping over nodes if I am with .3 and will run out of the capacity.

Although, you have a good point. Will I even read and notice the difference with just .1 difference.

Thank you

Yeah, it won’t be accurate, trust me. People have their own opinions on finding the perfect node as well. You’re gonna get plenty of opinions, mine is just the first. I don’t look for nodes. I look for results down range. Not saying that’s the best but it works for me.

 

[Kickin45]

Go with the .3 increments and 3 rounds each.

 

[UndFrm]

Go with the .3 increments and 3 rounds each.

When I do find a suitable node with .3 increments, do you think then there will be a point to go +/- .1 or .2 to be precise? Or, I'll be just wasting time because I cannot measure that accurately yet.

Thank you everyone

 

[diggler1833]

The reason for .1 increment was the case capacity. I might be skipping over nodes if I am with .3 and will run out of the capacity.

Although, you have a good point. Will I even read and notice the difference with just .1 difference.

Thank you

.1gr increments will not be noticeable, and and "differences" in group size will be purely based upon the small sample.

To put it in another perspective, a .1gr charge increase in an extremely efficient cartridge like the Dasher is still going to get you ~ 9-10 FPS increase in velocity...how much change in accuracy do you think that will make?

I'm a fan of 1% increases...so about .3gr in your case with thus cartridge. Others will have their own preferences.

I do wish you the best of luck. You picked an easy one to load for starting off...which is great.

 

[diggler1833]

When I do find a suitable node with .3 increments, do you think then there will be a point to go +/- .1 or .2 to be precise? Or, I'll be just wasting time because I cannot measure that accurately yet.

Thank you everyone

Crap, I hate double quoting people. If I get two consecutive "good" groups while doing charge weight testing (eg. 35.4 and 35.7), I'll load in between those and try again. If it holds up, then I'll try that between load again at distance to see if it still holds up. If it does, then I consider the load done.

There are multiple ways to this. We like to argue them a lot.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I didn't know you had to develop dasher loads

Seriously go .3 tenths but again not sure what powder you are using and what conditions you shoot in.

 

[Doom]

We usually go with 0.2 gr in 223 because the nodes are around 0.6 gr apart (25 gr loads). At 31gr I would go with 0.2 gr but that's me. When you find a node the going +/- is usually a good check and will also identify if a slight adjustment will fine tune the load.

 

[jsthntn247]

What bullet, powder and brass. The Dasher is the easiest cartridge to load for in human history.

 

[UndFrm]

What bullet, powder and brass. The Dasher is the easiest cartridge to load for in human history.

105 VLD, Varget and Alpha brass.

 

[Seymour Fish]

Hi

This is the very first load development. I have read and watched stuff but wanted to run it by you guys to ensure this is the most efficient.

6mm Dasher
New chamber and barrel
Alpha brass

Got a starting and safe powder load.
Loading 2 (or 3?) cartridges per load and increasing it by .1 until I find the consecutive nodes (at least 2).
When I do find the node, do the seating depth with the said powder charge with varied depths.
My starting load will be, let's say 31.6
Which means I'll have a total of at least 20 cartridges if the ideal load is 32.5, or more if I have to go above.
Should I do 3 shots per charge?

Any other critiques?
Will be watching the velocity and the pressure signs. Not going to go above 2950fps, according to the loads I have read, unless absolutely 0 pressure signs.

Thank you

Assumptions: 1)bbl already broken in 2) cleaned well 3) adequate bench setup 4) same delivery every time 5) at least one wind flag 6) ability to identify and shoot the same condition. Load 5 fouler, then one charge each at .2 grain increments. Keep exact copy of target on the bench and mark each successive shot on that tat before firing the next. Number each from 1 to….N. Notice node. Focus on vertical placement. Next load a matrix of powder and seating depth, 3 of each. 27 rounds. Shoot each three on separate bulls. Identify 1) same vertical displacement 2) generally tight round groups for short to mid range, and “snowman-shaped groups for 1000.