Reading a 'Ladder Test'

[fseybert]

Hello,

I have been reading the forum for some time, great forum by the way, and have a question.

I tried my first ladder test this weekend and was suprised at the result. The rifle is a brand new Remington Sendero SF II, with a Score Hi muzzle break, chambered in .300 RUM. I broke the barrel in using factory level 1 ammo since I had a hard time finding brass until last week.

I loaded 210 grain Berger VLD's per Bergers recommended data of 86 - 92 grains of Retumbo, R-P brass that was trimmed, chamfered, flash holes de-burred and primer pockets trued, Federal 215 primers. I ran the ladder at 1 grain increments from 86-92 grains, twice, and had the same results. Shots were fired at 200 yards. Vertical spread was less than an inch on both tests. Horizontal, with a gusting breeze was about 4 inches the first time, and about 2 and a half the second.

I was happy to see the minimal vertical spread with a 7 grain change in charge weight, but don't think I learned much as far as where the node is. Both groups showed no real pattern as far as where to go. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[jrw1976]

It sounds like you need to shoot farther away. Try your ladder at 300-400 yards and see what happens. When I run a ladder test I separate each round by only .2 of a grain of powder. Let us know what you find.


JRW

 

[JeffVN]

+1. you need to back up to give your loads a chance to show some difference. I shoot mine at 419 on my home range, but if that is not showing much I back up to 563 yards. I always see some good data at 500+.

JeffVN