Load development

 

There are two ways in getting that perfect load by doing a specialized load development. I offer the following options:

Online load development.

As I am situated in Worcester and you might not be close enough to visit me personally, it is just as easy if you have the principles of reloading under the belt. You can go to the loading development questionnaire and fill in the required information. The is also a clear description of how to take measurements. These include to name a few, barrel length, case length, H2O volumes, bullet lengths etc.  an auto generated email will be sent.

On receipt of the data, I will work out two load based on the information, one high, and one low. You will need to load 5 rounds of each of these loads. Visit the shooting range and shoot these through a chronograph allowing time between shot for the barrel not to get too hot.

Supply me with the data and photos of the two groupings. I will use the information to calibrate how the powder performs in the combination (specific heats, expansion, etc.) Based on the calibrated data I will be able to calculate the optimum load for your rifle.

You will need to load 5 bullets and take a second trip to the range, shoot these through the chrony and make sure they group as required. If for some reason the grouping is not perfect we will continue with re-calibrating until the rifle shoot true.

Wildcat calibers tend to take a bit more effort.

 

Personal load development (One on One sessions)

If you live in the Western Cape or close by, you can jump in your vehicle and come and visit me in the breathtaking views of the Breede Valley. I will personally do all the measurements of the rifle and components, I will load the two loads, and off we go to the shooting range.

I am setup, so that we do not have to leave the range before that load is perfect. My vehicle is rigged with inverters for electronic powder measure, presses, Labradar, shooting rests etc.

 

After the load is perfect, time and weather permitting, I will load some extra rounds for you to get some range time. I will supply you with a drop-chart based on the actual performance of your rifle and load to test at the various distances. All load developments are printed out and emailed so that you can duplicate the load in the convenience of your setup at home. 

Contact me for the different price packages

Online load development

 

please send me a email to: info@burgerprecision.co.za

How to take measurements

 

Barrel length measurement

·         Close bolt without pulling trigger,

·         Insert cleaning rod into barrel from front-end right up to the bolt face.

·         Make a mark on the rod and measure to the front-end of barrel in millimeters

Measure COL Cartridge overall length

·         Remove bolt and insert an intended projectile in rifle – pointed down so that it rests against the lands.

·         Use two cleaning rods – insert from the front until it reaches the projectile

·         Insert a rod through the bolt opening till it reaches the projectile base

·         Move the front and rear rods to move the projectile to just touch the lands.

·         Make a mark on the rod and measure.

·         Subtract this length from the barrel length to obtain the COL

·         Repeat this at least 5 times.

·         Measure in millimeters

 Determine twist rate of barrel

·         Remove bolt

·         Use cleaning-rod and place the correct jag and insert the rod from the rear end (lands side)

·         Use a steel ruler and make a mark from a flat section of the action at least 20” on the top side of the rod.

·         Move the rod one full turn inwards – making sure you only hold the rotating handle.

·         Now, measure the again in inches how far the rod moved to make one full rotation.

·         The inches moved will be the twits rate 1: 8 or 1:10 and so on.

Bullet length

·         Measure each projectile (at least five)

·         Using a caliper from the base to the tip

·         Work out the average of the five projectiles

Bearing surface

·         Determining the bearing surface is critical to determine the “Shot Start Pressure”

·         Place the projectile on a piece of abrasive paper and move it forward so that the paper makes a clear mark on the projectile.

·         Measure the length of the abrasive marks on the projectile.

·         Take note: do not measure lock-ring or lower-ends of driving bands on monolithic projectiles.

Case length

·         Measure the intended cases with a caliper from the base to the top of the neck

·         Repeat this for five cases and determine the average.

Case volume H2O

·         Use only case of the same batch already fired in the intended rifle, Fire-Formed, not sized, and must still have primer.

·         Place the empty shell on scale and zero the scale.

·         Use a syringe and fill the case to the top.

·         Use a little soap in the water – MAKE sure the water is perfectly level with the top of the case.

·         Take the reading in grain, repeat at least five times.

 

·         Beware of droplets alongside the cases as this will negatively influence your measurements.