Faster projectiles more accurate as a general rule?

[inventurkey]

Budding reloader's question here if I can...

To get my head around the process and a hands on run of reloading, I got a few different bullet types and did a couple of loads for my .308 with the starting powder weight.

Now that that's out of the way, I will need to do some proper testing with different powder weights to find the right one for me. Question is, in terms of accuracy am I best to start at the max load and work my way down the line?

Faster bullet = less time to drop and be affected by wind in theory, but in practice?

If I could work down from the top to hopefully skip half the bottom loads that would be a time saver I'd appreciate.

I know that this is painting with a pretty wide brush, but in general will a cartridge usually perform better at the higher end of the powder loads due to the increased bullet speed?

Advice? Cheers.

[redrum]

For hunting obviously a faster bullet will be more effective on game, that's not to say it will be more accurate though.

Only load testing will tell you which velocity is most accurate in your rifle.

No use trading accuracy for velocity obviously...

[RealNick]

Yes there's less time for drop, but the faster load might be much less accurate over all and more than cancel out the possible gain.

Most accurate load for your rifle could be anywhere. To find the best possible load you should explore them all from start to max.

[Lorgar]

Nope.

These are the results I got with 150gr Pro-Hunters using 2208 powder in my .308

44.0gr - 0.77" group
44.5gr - 0.97" group
45.0gr - 0.91" group
45.5gr - 0.96" group
46.0gr - 0.80" group
46.5gr - 0.62" group
47.0gr - 1.30" group

good, worse, ok, worse, better, best, worst.

Groups with 150 SST's were:

44.0gr - 1.40" group
44.5gr - 1.50" group
45.0gr - 0.97" group
45.5gr - 0.99" group
46.0gr - 0.76" group
46.5gr - 1.60" group
47.0gr - 1.06" group

worse, worse, good, good, best, worst, ok.

All over the place, gotta shoot 'em all to know.

[Monty]

Most accurate load for your rifle could be anywhere. To find the best possible load you should explore them all from start to max.

This is the answer. Gotta put in the hard yards to find the most accurate hand load.

[Noisydad]

The BIG thing when testing and experimenting with loads is change ONLY ONE thing at a time! Otherwise you wont know which change has caused the shift in point of impact and as others have said don't become velocity happy! You can have the hottest load in history and it wont count for diddly squat if you end up with a group that's more like a pattern.

[Vati]

...don't become velocity happy!

Plenty of people gone down that road already

[inventurkey]

Thanks all.

I was hoping to save some time but that's a no go obviously.

I will do it properly and start at the bottom and work my way up.