30 Nosler Ladder Test Input

[fnlights]

I ran my first ladder test below and thought I would post the results (Berger 215, H1000, CCI250, ADG Brass, 81.5-86g, 500 yards). This is my first one, so don't be afraid to let me know if these are not good results. Looking for any tips or advise. What should I do from here? The thing I'm noticing, and I guess it could have been me, but one of the shots for each 81.5, 82, 82.5, 83 are all pretty much in the same spot and one is not (grouped in the black). Maybe the gun doesn't like the seating depth or maybe I was pulling one from each load?

I didn't seem to run into pressure - which I expected to at the 86 grains. The bolt might have seemed slightly stiff to open - but that could have been my mind thinking there should be pressure lol. Has anyone ran over 86 in a 30 Nosler?

Here is a picture of my brass at 86 and 78 for comparison. You will notice that both have a swipe - I don't think this is a sign of pressure because no matter what load I shoot my gun does it.

 

[Tidus56]

Is your brass virgin or once fired? If it's virgin that is likely why you aren't seeing the pressure at 86.

 

[fnlights]

Is your brass virgin or once fired? If it's virgin that is likely why you aren't seeing the pressure at 86.

It is once fired

 

[Tidus56]

Well that's nice then…looks like your brass can take that load. Did you chrono it all and look for spikes as you went in velocity or flat spots? Should help you find a node and pressure

 

[Tidus56]

I am about to do my 30 Nosler testing so I will be keeping an eye on your results. I am shooting the same combo 215s and H-1000

 

[fnlights]

I took my chrono and only got to 82.5 grains before the battery died. I only have a cheap one, so I do not pay much attention to it anyways. I wanted to see though to get a rough idea of those 83 - 86 gr

 

[L.Sherm]

86.0 is way higher than I have ever ran a 30 Nos pressure signs or not.
What distance was this shot?
How many rounds on your barrel?
Length of barrel and freebore?
Was it chambered with saami reamer?
Its alot easier to see whats going on if you circle each charge weight into a group. ADG brass and some custom actions hide pressure, depending on barrel and freebore you should end up around 82.5-84.0.with H1000

 

[Gamesniper19]

It appears you have 2 nodes in your ladder - Right about 81.5 and then up at 86
I have the same caliber that I have been shooting for 8+ years and have never run up to 86, even in ladder testing - I currently run 82.1 grains at 3014 FPS using 210 ABLR's

What barrel are you using?
Do you know your chamber specs?
Did you measure your brass before and after shooting to gauge stretch - OAL, and shoulder?

 

[L.Sherm]

Here is my suggestion, load up 3 rounds of 82.0-84.0 H1000 in .3-.4 increments with the 215 Berger .030 off using a CCI 250 primer then do the same with Fed 215 primer.
Color your bullets it makes it easy to see the results on paper then circle each 3 shot charge.
The farther the distance the better.

 

[fnlights]

86.0 is way higher than I have ever ran a 30 Nos pressure signs or not.
What distance was this shot?
How many rounds on your barrel?
Length of barrel and freebore?
Was it chambered with saami reamer?
Its alot easier to see whats going on if you circle each charge weight into a group. ADG brass and some custom actions hide pressure, depending on barrel and freebore you should end up around 82.5-84.0.with H1000

I agree that 86 does seem really high

500 yards, 24in barrel, 75 rounds on barrel, chambered with a Berger 230 reamer.

It appears you have 2 nodes in your ladder - Right about 81.5 and then up at 86
I have the same caliber that I have been shooting for 8+ years and have never run up to 86, even in ladder testing - I currently run 82.1 grains at 3014 FPS using 210 ABLR's

What barrel are you using?
Do you know your chamber specs?
Did you measure your brass before and after shooting to gauge stretch - OAL, and shoulder?

Proof barrel

Here is my suggestion, load up 3 rounds of 82.0-84.0 H1000 in .3-.4 increments with the 215 Berger .030 off using a CCI 250 primer then do the same with Fed 215 primer.
Color your bullets it makes it easy to see the results on paper then circle each 3 shot charge.
The farther the distance the better.

The 83-83.5 seems decent on my targets. I just didn't like the big jump from 83.5 to 84 and from 82.5 to 83

 

[L.Sherm]

I agree that 86 does seem really high

500 yards, 24in barrel, 75 rounds on barrel, chambered with a Berger 230 reamer.

Proof barrel

The 83-83.5 seems decent on my targets. I just didn't like the big jump from 83.5 to 84 and from 82.5 to 83

This is why you have to test different primers.
Really keep track of your velocity right now, your barrel may have sped up or maybe not, I dont believe in flat spots i believe only what the target tells me.

 

[fnlights]

Here is my suggestion, load up 3 rounds of 82.0-84.0 H1000 in .3-.4 increments with the 215 Berger .030 off using a CCI 250 primer then do the same with Fed 215 primer.
Color your bullets it makes it easy to see the results on paper then circle each 3 shot charge.
The farther the distance the better.

I like the idea of testing the primers here - but not so much sending another 20+ rounds down the 30 Nosler barrel lol

 

[fnlights]

This is why you have to test different primers.

Do you think I could get away with just doing 1-2 charge of each instead of 3?

 

[L.Sherm]

Do you think I could get away with just doing 1-2 charge of each instead of 3?

If your confident in 2 yeah, but the reason I like 3 is the shape of 3 gives a better idea big or small. I look for triangle shape stuff and a node were impacts wanna group in a certain charge weight range