22-250 ladder test

[Solaction]

I did the ladder test with 52gr SMK and Varget powder at 500 yards. It looks like I found two nodes. So which would you guys look at working with #3 was 3/8" and #8 was 1/2". The lower charge it a little tighter but #8 was a faster round. Not all the shots read on the chronograph, it got late and I lost the direct sun lite.

 

[Wyo7200]

I did the ladder test with 52gr SMK and Varget powder at 500 yards. It looks like I found two nodes. So which would you guys look at working with #3 was 3/8" and #8 was 1/2". The lower charge it a little tighter but #8 was a faster round. Not all the shots read on the chronograph, it got late and I lost the direct sun lite.

What is your barrel length, COAL and charge? Using your velocities, it doesn't look like you are pushing that 52 grainer hard at all according to QL estimates.

At a COAL of 2.330, you have some room to hit the next highest node that resides just under cautionary pressures and gain another ~ 300fps. I'll hold off on posting any QL estimates for now, but #8 will be a good, safe load hitting around estimated 43603 psi. Are you seeing any pressure signs on the brass? Go with #8 if you are not.

 

[Solaction]

Yea that info would help. It's a Thompson Center Icon with a sporter barrel. I updated the data sheet with the other info.

 

[Wyo7200]

Rock on. You did find two nodes- The next one may be out of reach depending on your components and actual results, but will gain you ~400 fps. Or stay with #8. You said that was at 500 yards- 1/2 inch is not bad at all! Contribute it to added movement from the increased recoil. This is just an estimate, work up and stay safe.


24.0 barrel nodes: 0.8160 0.8948 1.0221 1.1016 1.2282 1.3084 1.4343

Cartridge          : .22-250 Rem. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .224, 52, Sierra HPBT MatchK 1410
Useable Case Capaci: 42.423 grain H2O = 2.754 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.350 inch = 59.69 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon VARGET

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt [B][U]B_Time[/U][/B]
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   84    31.59   3218    1196   33031   9067     87.5    1.159
-09.0   84    31.94   3253    1222   33998   9201     88.1    1.146
-08.0   85    32.29   3288    1249   34994   9334     88.6    1.133
-07.0   86    32.64   3323    1275   36018   9465     89.2    1.121
[B][U]-06.0   87    32.99   3358    1303   37072   9595     89.7    1.108[/U][/B]
-05.0   88    33.35   3394    1330   38154   9724     90.3    1.092
-04.0   89    33.70   3429    1358   39262   9851     90.8    1.078
-03.0   90    34.05   3464    1386   40397   9976     91.3    1.064
-02.0   91    34.40   3499    1414   41559  10100     91.8    1.049
-01.0   92    34.75   3534    1443   42753  10222     92.3    1.035
[B][U]+00.0   93    35.10   3570    1472   43981  10343     92.8    1.021[/U][/B]
+01.0   94    35.45   3605    1501   45244  10461     93.3    1.008
+02.0   95    35.80   3640    1530   46544  10577     93.7    0.995
+03.0   96    36.15   3676    1560   47881  10692     94.1    0.982
+04.0   97    36.50   3711    1590   49257  10804     94.6    0.969
+05.0   97    36.86   3746    1621   50673  10913     95.0    0.956
[B][U]+02.0  102    38.76   3938    1791   59118  11464     96.9    0.891  ! Near Maximum ![/U][/B]
Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     93    35.10   3762    1634   51577  10675     97.9    0.949
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     93    35.10   3336    1285   36541   9616     84.8    1.114

 

[Solaction]

Thanks Wyo7200 for your help. This was my first ladder test, now I know I need to try some more. I just hope I can make that next node with out any problems. I'll have to go slow and look for the signs.