Need help identifying "node" on test targets

[Cookie114]

Ive been reloading about 5 years now but have never done any type of ladder test. Ive always just thrown loads together until I find something i like.

Specs-
Savage Ultralite 280AI
Hornady 4x
Rl26
210m
168 VLDH
100y

For this test I loaded 8 charges in .3-.4 increments and fired 1 at each dot which has the charge listed. The speeds are verified with a Labradar.

** I did load a group up at 62.7g but got really bad vertical strings. 2 shot would be touching and 1 shot would be 2-3in high. So where should I go from here

 

[MagnumManiac]

What range?

Cheers.

 

[Cookie114]

100y

 

[Justice1327]

My understanding for a latter test is that they need to be shot at a distance of 3-400 yards with the same point of aim. You must keep track of where each shot (load) goes in comparison to the POA and the other shots.
I would shoot at least 3 shots per load to help narrow down the node and have more data points.
What has worked for me is the following:
Load up in .3-.5 increments (depending on case size) at .020 off the lands. Load 3 shots of each load. Measure velocity for each shot. Find the widest node. Load 3 more rounds for each increment. but break down the node into .1 increments . Repeat a measure velocity. Find the node and shoot 5 for group. Then adjust seating depth in/out in .03th increments to find best seating depth node. Then verify with 10 shots at one POA with velocity at distance

With what you currently show, I would say it is 61-62.5

 

[Cookie114]

My understanding for a latter test is that they need to be shot at a distance of 3-400 yards with the same point of aim. You must keep track of where each shot (load) goes in comparison to the POA and the other shots.
I would shoot at least 3 shots per load to help narrow down the node and have more data points.
What has worked for me is the following:
Load up in .3-.5 increments (depending on case size) at .020 off the lands. Load 3 shots of each load. Measure velocity for each shot. Find the widest node. Load 3 more rounds for each increment. but break down the node into .1 increments . Repeat a measure velocity. Find the node and shoot 5 for group. Then adjust seating depth in/out in .03th increments to find best seating depth node. Then verify with 10 shots at one POA with velocity at distance

With what you currently show, I would say it is 62-62.5

I appreciate the response.

Honestly I do my load work up at 100y just for the simple fact that I dont trust ME with a 6lb rifle to shoot very consistently at 200+. Im afraid I would have flyers that I couldn't confirm if it was the load or myself which would lead me chasing my tail in circles. But I definitely see the reasoning behind the 2-300 test

 

[JTB]

You may want to consider skipping the ladder test in the particular situation. You really need to be able to fire with consistency at a minimum of 300 yards to effectively identify a node and best if all rounds fired/marked on one target. You may elect instead to load 5-round sets at .3 grain increases until you find a set that groups well at 100-200 yards around your target velocity. The load on the accuracy node will also reduce the recoil jump and that 6lb rifle will be much more manageable. Then you can work on seating depth, neck tension, etc. I use this method at 300 yards for my pack rifles and am able to dial them in.

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

I'd load a 3-5 rounds at 61.4 and see how they group. If that groups decent, then play with seating depth.

 

[Cookie114]

You may want to consider skipping the ladder test in the particular situation. You really need to be able to fire with consistency at a minimum of 300 yards to effectively identify a node and best if all rounds fired/marked on one target. You may elect instead to load 5-round sets at .3 grain increases until you find a set that groups well at 100-200 yards around your target velocity. The load on the accuracy node will also reduce the recoil jump and that 6lb rifle will be much more manageable. Then you can work on seating depth, neck tension, etc. I use this method at 300 yards for my pack rifles and am able to dial them in.

Makes good sense... thanks

 

[Pdyson]

I would confirm that flat spot between 61.3 & 61.7. I would load and Chronograph at charge weights .2 gr apart from 61 to 61.8 to find the center. Then load 3 shot groups and tune seating depth

 

[ShtrRdy]

I would suggest using the 'Optimal Charge Weight' approach for load development. It sounds like you need a way to factor out some inconsistencies due to the light weight rifle and you.

If you load up a range of charge weights with 0.4 grain increment, (assuming the case uses 60+ grains of powder), and load up 4 or 5 rounds at each charge weight . Then shoot the 4 or 5 into a group and move on to the next charge weight. Then you can discard 1 or 2 of the shots in each group so you have a 3 shot group to consider.

 

[Cookie114]

I would confirm that flat spot between 61.3 & 61.7. I would load and Chronograph at charge weights .2 gr apart from 61 to 61.8 to find the center. Then load 3 shot groups and tune seating depth

Thanks for pointing out that flat spot. Im not sure how I overlooked it but I did. Im going to give your method a go.

 

[TheLongRanger83702]

Ive been reloading about 5 years now but have never done any type of ladder test. Ive always just thrown loads together until I find something i like.







I





























I used this method with great results:

https://youtube.com/user/ryandpahl

Specs-































































































































































































































































Savage Ultralite 280AI































































































































































































































































Hornady 4x































































































































































































































































Rl26































































































































































































































































210m































































































































































































































































168 VLDH































































































































































































































































100y































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































For this test I loaded 8 charges in .3-.4 increments and fired 1 at eacIh dot which has the charge listed. The speeds are verified with a Labradar.































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































** I did load a group up at 62.7g but got really bad vertical strings. 2 shot would be touching and 1 shot would be 2-3in































































Ive been reloading about 5 years now but have never done any type of ladder test. Ive always just thrown loads together until I find something i like.































































































































Specs-































































Savage Ultralite 280AI































































Hornady 4x































































Rl26































































210m















































































168 VLDH































































100y



For this test I loaded 8 charges in .3-.4 increments and fired 1 at each dot which has the charge listed. The speeds are verified with a Labradar.































































** I did load a group up at 62.7g but got really bad vertical strings. 2 shot would be touching and 1 shot would be 2-3in high. So where should I go from here















































high. So wherehttps://youtube.com/user/ryandpahl should I go from here

 

[Ucsdryder]

I did my last ladder at 725 yards and STILL struggle to read results. At 100 I don't think there's any reason to do it other than to track velocities and find a good node. For comparison here's my ladder.

 

[Philward]

Consider between 62.3 and 63 grains, that is the only area that showed any consistency to me. In case you want a different opinion...

I'm guessing those are 1" or 1.25" orange dots.