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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Audette / Ladder Test / OCW Explanation
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<blockquote data-quote="flashhole" data-source="post: 445860" data-attributes="member: 21375"><p>I have done several successful ladder tests during load development. If you have access to a 300 yard range you will be able to get good results.</p><p> </p><p>The idea is simple. There are certain nodes (harmonics) where your gun barrel will exhibit almost identical performance using a range of powder charges. You are looking for the optimum charge range when you do the test. The test is used to determine where the nodes are. </p><p> </p><p>Vertical shot location is more important and telling than horizontal location, the thinking here is you can ignore wind drift but the bullet will drop by a controlled amount (gravity). When you examine your target(s) draw lines across the target to make it easy to see where good vertical consistency is achieved. Where the bullets hit the target in small groups (smallest vertical deviation) is evidence of a node. Some tests will yeild multiple nodes. Usually you want a charge range that exhibits good grouping with highest velocity.</p><p> </p><p>When I do the test I load 3 each of the different powder charges in the range of interest and do the test 3 separate times with 3 different targets. I'm looking for consistency. It takes some patience and you need to mark your bullet holes when executing the test so as not to get them confused. I have seen some pretty dramatic results from the tests.</p><p> </p><p>A good rest with a repeatable point of aim is an absolute must to get good resuslts. I let my barrel cool to cold before each shot. It can take a couple of hours to do a test.</p><p> </p><p>Once you determine and select a charge range you can refine the test in smaller incremental powder changes. </p><p> </p><p>All that being said, I have had occurances where the bullet I was trying to develop a load for just would not shoot in my gun worth a hoot.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="flashhole, post: 445860, member: 21375"] I have done several successful ladder tests during load development. If you have access to a 300 yard range you will be able to get good results. The idea is simple. There are certain nodes (harmonics) where your gun barrel will exhibit almost identical performance using a range of powder charges. You are looking for the optimum charge range when you do the test. The test is used to determine where the nodes are. Vertical shot location is more important and telling than horizontal location, the thinking here is you can ignore wind drift but the bullet will drop by a controlled amount (gravity). When you examine your target(s) draw lines across the target to make it easy to see where good vertical consistency is achieved. Where the bullets hit the target in small groups (smallest vertical deviation) is evidence of a node. Some tests will yeild multiple nodes. Usually you want a charge range that exhibits good grouping with highest velocity. When I do the test I load 3 each of the different powder charges in the range of interest and do the test 3 separate times with 3 different targets. I'm looking for consistency. It takes some patience and you need to mark your bullet holes when executing the test so as not to get them confused. I have seen some pretty dramatic results from the tests. A good rest with a repeatable point of aim is an absolute must to get good resuslts. I let my barrel cool to cold before each shot. It can take a couple of hours to do a test. Once you determine and select a charge range you can refine the test in smaller incremental powder changes. All that being said, I have had occurances where the bullet I was trying to develop a load for just would not shoot in my gun worth a hoot. [/QUOTE]
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Audette / Ladder Test / OCW Explanation
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