I tried my first ladder test over the weekend. It is easy for me to see that there is a definite node, but towards the lower end. It seems like sometimes there is another node towards the upper end, or even just before pressure signs begin to show. I would like to share my results and get some opinions on whether or not I should load the last 2 charges from my first test, along with 2 or 3 more increasing charges to see if there is another node at the top end.
Data:
New Lapua Brass
CCI 250 primers
H4350
143gr ELD-X
22" barrel
Hornady lists 41.5gr as MAX
Hodgdon lists 41.8gr as MAX
I figured I would load one step above the higher listed max, so I loaded 42.1gr as my 10th charge (39.4 – 42.1 in 0.3gr steps). I never encountered any obvious pressure signs on brass or primers, no sticky bolt lift.
There was some light variable wind from left to right. I would have liked to do this at 4-500 yards, but 330 yards is what I had access to. Point of aim was ¼ of a 2in orange dot, so it is 1in point to edge. The second ladder as a whole, shot much closer together than the first (just under 1 MOA for all 10 charges), which may have just been for the barrel getting some good fouling. I shot two sighters from a clean bore prior to starting the first ladder.
To me there appears to be an obvious node around 3,4, and 5 (40.0 – 40.6). It was pretty erratic above this but I started to wonder if it was settling back down around 9 and 10. So I was wondering if I should try something like 9, 10, 11, and 12 (41.8, 42.1, 42.4, and 42.7) to see if there is another node on the higher end. Thoughts?
Data:
New Lapua Brass
CCI 250 primers
H4350
143gr ELD-X
22" barrel
Hornady lists 41.5gr as MAX
Hodgdon lists 41.8gr as MAX
I figured I would load one step above the higher listed max, so I loaded 42.1gr as my 10th charge (39.4 – 42.1 in 0.3gr steps). I never encountered any obvious pressure signs on brass or primers, no sticky bolt lift.
There was some light variable wind from left to right. I would have liked to do this at 4-500 yards, but 330 yards is what I had access to. Point of aim was ¼ of a 2in orange dot, so it is 1in point to edge. The second ladder as a whole, shot much closer together than the first (just under 1 MOA for all 10 charges), which may have just been for the barrel getting some good fouling. I shot two sighters from a clean bore prior to starting the first ladder.
To me there appears to be an obvious node around 3,4, and 5 (40.0 – 40.6). It was pretty erratic above this but I started to wonder if it was settling back down around 9 and 10. So I was wondering if I should try something like 9, 10, 11, and 12 (41.8, 42.1, 42.4, and 42.7) to see if there is another node on the higher end. Thoughts?
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