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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Load development technique
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<blockquote data-quote="Rckymtnshooter" data-source="post: 1323205" data-attributes="member: 93937"><p>I have become a firm believer in ladder tests. It requires a minimal number of rounds to complete. The last ladder I did was with a 300wm. I wanted performance and accuracy so I skipped the bottom third beginning charge weights. Loaded one round each and increased the charge weight by .3 grains.</p><p></p><p>You should see accuracy nodes develop within the charge ranges where rounds start start to group together. Go back and work within these accuracy nodes. Start shooting at at least 300 yards and as you narrow down your accuracy nodes increase your distance. I did the last test at 500 yards with my final 3 loads and could have picked any one of the three but settled on the lowest charge for hopefully a little more brass life and a very minimal velocity loss. Once you have settled on the charge weight do the Berger bullet seating test and you should be done.</p><p></p><p>Guys will get lucky and have a rifle barrel combo that will shoot any load well. This last 300wm was kind of like that. I hopped around at first with random charges and finally decided to do the ladder. At the end I am confident I found the best load my riflen will shoot with. </p><p></p><p>From now in for me, new load development will always be done with a ladder test. Lots of info to read on it and also a good way to establish the max pressure load in your rifle.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rckymtnshooter, post: 1323205, member: 93937"] I have become a firm believer in ladder tests. It requires a minimal number of rounds to complete. The last ladder I did was with a 300wm. I wanted performance and accuracy so I skipped the bottom third beginning charge weights. Loaded one round each and increased the charge weight by .3 grains. You should see accuracy nodes develop within the charge ranges where rounds start start to group together. Go back and work within these accuracy nodes. Start shooting at at least 300 yards and as you narrow down your accuracy nodes increase your distance. I did the last test at 500 yards with my final 3 loads and could have picked any one of the three but settled on the lowest charge for hopefully a little more brass life and a very minimal velocity loss. Once you have settled on the charge weight do the Berger bullet seating test and you should be done. Guys will get lucky and have a rifle barrel combo that will shoot any load well. This last 300wm was kind of like that. I hopped around at first with random charges and finally decided to do the ladder. At the end I am confident I found the best load my riflen will shoot with. From now in for me, new load development will always be done with a ladder test. Lots of info to read on it and also a good way to establish the max pressure load in your rifle. [/QUOTE]
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