Ladder test or round robin to find node

[BuckyFan69]

I've always started at minimum loading 3 rounds to mag max length increasing in 1/2 grain increments up to max. From 100 yards slow firing each 3 round group with a 4-5 minute break between groups to find my node. Then going with the best group(s), and loading 3 rounds in 1/3 grain increments.....ya get where I'm going, lol. Then shoot at 200, 300 etc til I reach how far I'm going to shoot with that rifle, making adjustments as needed. Have never tried a ladder test but giving the lack of supplies lately, my theory is I could use less ammo starting at 300 yards with assumption if its on at 300 it should be at 100.


The max for this particular rifle will be 500 yards. Any thoughts and/or opinions from you guys who've done both would be great.

 

[emn83]

I've done it the same as you have, round robin shooting, for under 500 yards, I'd say you're good to go the way you have. I've done ladder tests as well, and they work, but they really just verified what I learned shooting round robin. Nowadays, I follow what the Jerry Teo article on this site recommends for full load testing and it works well for my shooting, and I always post on here to get feed back

 

[barnesuser28]

I've done it the same as you have, round robin shooting, for under 500 yards, I'd say you're good to go the way you have. I've done ladder tests as well, and they work, but they really just verified what I learned shooting round robin. Nowadays, I follow what the Jerry Teo article on this site recommends for full load testing and it works well for my shooting, and I always post on here to get feed back

Do you have a link to this article?

 

[JackinSD]

Do you have a link to this article?

Load Tuning

 

[barnesuser28]

Thanks, thats almost exactly what i am planning on doing for load development on my next rifle.

 

[jasent]

I. Ladder test at 300 or 400 yards at 1% increments then ladder test each node in .5% increments then shoot groups from the best node to verify results. Has worked great for me!

 

[lloydsmale]

im a group shooter. Never bought into the ladder method. Ive tried it a few times and it seemed to work with some guns and not others.

 

[jasent]

Nice thing about ladder testing is it shows you your harmonics' if you shoot it over a chrono. Example: record your speeds and it relation to poi. It can help accuracy with temperature changes, if you shoot often enough and keep good records. Such as if it shoots at 3000fps @35* and at 3050 @65* then you have already shot that speed and know the poi shift you can plan for it. Normally if I'm testing at low temps then I choose the slowest part of the node so I can help my gun stay in its node at a greater temp range. Like wise if I'm testing at mid or high temps I go with the appropriate side of the node. Also keep track of poi on each side of the node. Just my method

 

[boomtube]

"Any thoughts and/or opinions from you guys who've done both would be great. "

Both methods work fine, both done properly will get you to exactly the same place; how quickly you'll get there is largely up to how you do it.

Neither method will give instantly perfect results without further testing (and refining) to confirm your initial findings. And then you'll need to do it again to find the best seating depth.

IMHO, if anyone gets inconsistant results with either system it's more likely due to an erratic shooter than a failing of the testing method.