Load vs Headspace

I'm reloading and trying to get the best accuracy for my hunting rifles. I've been trying different loads but I've also been adjusting the head space. So my question is which is more critical to accuracy, headspacing or load?

I have both a Speer and Nosler manual and they both offer different overall cartridge length dimensions while the cartrige itself is kept the same. But if I'm trying to get the bullet closer to the lands I can easily exceed the OACL for either manual. Is this safe?

It seems like there is quite a bit of bullet jump when using the OACL from the manuals.

Also, how do you guys sight in while trying multiple loads on the same rifle? My question refers more to the heat on the barrel. Do you shoot a continous 3-5 shots of one load and then wait till the barrel cools down before you move on to the next load and shoot 3-5 shots? Or let the barrel cool down after every shot?

If you find an accurate load out of a hot barrel, will the point of impact be just as good out of a cold barrel? The point of impact out of a cold barrel is more important to me but I've noticed the point of impact change as the barrel gets hot after the 3rd shot.

Sorry to get long winded but these are questions that have been bouncing around in my head.

>I'm reloading and trying to get
>the best accuracy for my
>hunting rifles. I've been
>trying different loads but I've
>also been adjusting the head
>space. So my question
>is which is more critical
>to accuracy, headspacing or load?

Both. I use OCW to get a stable load, then work on bullet seating depth to tine accuracy. Using OCW will get you a charge weight that will be relatively consistent, tolerant to changes in atmosphere, and is usually the most accurate load. Then bullet seating depth will snug up the groups by working towards the correct "time in barrel". The muzzle whips around during firing, the idea is to get bullets to exit the muzzle when it's in the same spot every time.

Occasionally I've found that I can't get a load that works to my standard, so I change bullet weights. My Scout doesn't like 165gr bullets but will eat up 150s all day long. My Tikka doesn't like 150s, but I can cloverleaf 165gr and 220gr bullets with it.

>I have both a Speer and
>Nosler manual and they both
>offer different overall cartridge length
>dimensions while the cartrige itself
>is kept the same.
>But if I'm trying to
>get the bullet closer to
>the lands I can easily
>exceed the OACL for either
>manual. Is this safe?

Generally, yes as long as you have a safe load that isn't showing signs of pressure and you work your way up in COAL. Check for signs of too much pressure while you're doing this. Remember that changing the amount of powder or bullet seating depth changes the volume of air inside the cartridge, which will change how much pressure you generate.

>It seems like there is quite
>a bit of bullet jump
>when using the OACL from
>the manuals.

There can be, depending on the rifle. My Ruger Scout is a lot closer to SAAMI spec than my Tikkas. Some of my 300 WSM loads are a few hundredths of an inch over SAAMI, and my wife's .223 Rem loads for her Mossberg MVP are actually longer than the magazine will accept.

>Also, how do you guys sight
>in while trying multiple loads
>on the same rifle?

I don't zero my rifle while testing candidate loads. My 300 WSM is zeroed at 100 yards using my 165gr Accubond load, which is a pretty good cartridge for just about anything I hunt, and is also the most stable and consistent load I've developed for that rifle. My turrets are zeroed to this load.

When I try other bullets or bullet weights, I just shoot at the paper and note where the bullets are landing. When I have a good load that groups well, I take a pic and note in my logbook what the corrections are for this load based off of my usual 165gr cartridge. For example, my 220gr bear loads are 4 clicks left and 4 clicks up from my zero.

>My question refers more to
>the heat on the barrel.
> Do you shoot a
>continous 3-5 shots of one
>load and then wait till
>the barrel cools down before
>you move on to the
>next load and shoot 3-5
>shots? Or let the
>barrel cool down after every
>shot?

I shoot a round, then let the barrel cool. In hunting, 99% of your shots are going to be cold bore, so you need to replicate the conditions. The name of the game in handloading is consistency, and shooting a hot barrel is not going to be consistent. I usually get to catch up on my reading while testing new loads.

>If you find an accurate load
>out of a hot barrel,
>will the point of impact
>be just as good out
>of a cold barrel?

Generally, it will be off. It could be a lot or not much depending on the barrel, how hot it is and a lot of other factors.

>The point of impact out
>of a cold barrel is
>more important to me but
>I've noticed the point of
>impact change as the barrel
>gets hot after the 3rd
>shot.

This is normal. The characteristics of the barrel are changing as it heats up. The bore is getting larger, causing the rifling to not grip the bullet as well. The barrel's harmonics may change as it gets hot as well, which will effect accuracy and consistency.

OP,
Are you confusing headspace with OACL?
You cannot adjust YOUR headspace unless you have a way to rechamber. You can only push your shoulder back farther than it needs to be, thus creating excess headspace.

OACL or bullet seating depth is probably limited to the length of your magazine but this isn't a hard and fast rule.

You have to determine the MAXIMUM bullet protrusion or maximum length seating depth and then you can begin to incrementally seat your bullets deeper until you find the sweet spot for your rifle.

I usually shoot 3 or 5 in about 5 minutes and that's my group. Some rifles shoot better by waiting longer and some shoot better if you keep them warm (kind of hard to do in the field).

For hunting, it's most important for my first shot, out of a cold-seasoned barrel, to shoot right exactly where I want it.

I hope some of that helps you but the more I read your post, the more questions I have.

Zeke

My apologies Zeke. I was referring to bullet seating depth not headspace.

So it seems like the load is the 1st step towards accuracy and then the bullet seating depth to fine tune.

Yes, I am limited on some of my guns to the length of the magazine for the bullet seating depth but not on others. I can really have the bullet sticking a good ways out of the case above COAL and still not be touching the lands.

I have not concerned myself with the OACL as listed in the book. Find your lands and back off between 10 to 50 thousandths depending on what shoots best in your gun. There can be more to it than just throwing a load together....if you want the most out of your accuracy. It can be pricy too with several components that you only sample and don't use right away.

The most important components in order (according to Zeke):
Bullet (projectile)
Powder (propellant)
Case (empty brass cartridge)
Primer (ignition source)

Generally, when a bullet shoots well in my rifle, I can switch powder and it will still shoot well or perhaps even better. When a bullet doesn't shoot reasonably well, there seems to be nothing I can to to achieve the accuracy performance that I want.
You can fine tune with powders, amounts and seating depths of the bullet until you achieve what you want. Your experimentation can almost be endless so just STOP when you get what you want.
Remember that some rifles will shoot (accurately) almost anything while others need more TLC and others yet are just junky!!!
Good luck bro!
Zeke

ElevenBravo/Zeke,

Very much appreciated.

Granddaughter drew a quality bulk elk tag,my son drew a so so bull tag, and I drew a quality mule deer tag. Hoping to put some accurate loads together for 3 different guns.

Happy hunting.

Willie

>My apologies Zeke. I was
>referring to bullet seating depth
>not headspace.
>
>So it seems like the load
>is the 1st step towards
>accuracy and then the bullet
>seating depth to fine tune.
>
>
>Yes, I am limited on some
>of my guns to the
>length of the magazine for
>the bullet seating depth but
>not on others. I
>can really have the bullet
>sticking a good ways out
>of the case above COAL
>and still not be touching
>the lands.


Don't concern yourself so much if the overall length is longer than what the magazine will accept. My handloads for the wife's .223 is longer than the mag, we get around that by using a stock sock with some cartridge loops and feed through the ejection port.

Good luck with the reloading and I hope you find some sweet loads.

Remember: every rifle is different even if they're the same cartridge, brand, model etc. Case in point: my brother's 300 Win mag shoots 165's really well and I've tried several brand bullets and multiple powders and charges and mine will not shoot them acceptably but it shoots 180's and 200's really really well.

And....even better luck with the bucket of tags!!!!!
Zeke

What cartridges are you loading for? What bullets are you loading in them? Give us some info and we can give some help.