Load development
- Thread starter 0-tolerance
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0-tolerance
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Great feedback guys, thanks! I will definitely incorporate some of the things mentioned into my load development.
Do yourself a favor and read these. Jason's version is geared to competition but will work. It just uses more components than really necessary. Alex has it down to a science. I have been using a method in between for years.
http://www.6mmbr.com/laddertest.html
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/tuning-for-long-range.192998/
odoylerules
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Alex's method is my go to. It's worked on multiple rifles for me
User4302021
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Alex's method works no doubt, but with a few caveats.
First, you have to have enough distance available to do a proper test.
Two, you have to have an exceptionally accurate rifle or your vertical will be too messy to decipher regardless.
Three, the shooter has to be good enough and experienced enough to hold vertical at a minimum.
That is a fairly tall order for a new shooter.
First, you have to have enough distance available to do a proper test.
Two, you have to have an exceptionally accurate rifle or your vertical will be too messy to decipher regardless.
Three, the shooter has to be good enough and experienced enough to hold vertical at a minimum.
That is a fairly tall order for a new shooter.
Look, I do not try to be difficult but this is a long range hunting forum. Not the shoot deer at 100 yards forum. If you can not hold tight vertical either because you or your equipment are not capable you have absolute zero business long range hunting. If you desire to learn then this is still the best way to do that. If a rifle will hold .5 moa or less than ladder is perfect period. I would by no means call that exceptional. I have owned $500 rifles that would hold .5moa with proper(ladder or OCW) load development reliably and repeatable. If you do not have the distance use the OCW and if you want to be hunting at long range take the time to learn it. If not why are you on a long range hunting forum???
User4302021
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I'm not knocking the practice or the method or the messenger. I'm just pointing out factors for consideration.
No need to take umbrage.
That was not directed at or towards you. I do not disagree with what you said. I am simply saying if you want to shoot long range then you have to learn to shoot long range. That includes your shooting skills as well as load development. This is one of the best places to do that. It is not easy as some may lead you to believe.
Satterlee Scott
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0-T
I'm glad you found you way into a great load development technique. When multiple folks separated by distance, space and time are coming up with the same technique is pretty exciting (great minds think alike). I'm fortunate to have 100 yards off my back porch and can load a test up in a few minutes and shoot it. I also get to shoot 8-10 rifle rounds annually. A few things to consider is, I have taken care of all of the brass prep possible from trim length, annealing, shoulder bump, using a mandrel for .0015 neck tension etc etc etc. I do this for everything from 223 to 338 LM. The video is a little old and I plan on doing another with Steve and Ed explaining ghost nodes which look good on the chronograph but don't shoot that well and how to handle smaller and larger cartridges. One of the reason I stick to 100 yards is I don't want to work my way into positive compensation (PC), which simplified is tuning your rifle for the slowest and highest velocity bullets leave at different points of barrel deflection and converge at the desired distance. This is awesome for F class and Bench rest guys and absolutely necessary to be competitive in the game they play. For Hunting I'm sure PC would fine as well most of the vital zones on bigger game animals are MOA or better to 1000 yards, but the what I like to do I need the load to be accurate and the ES to be low as well. My method wont work for everyone for a wide variety of reasons.
I'm glad you found you way into a great load development technique. When multiple folks separated by distance, space and time are coming up with the same technique is pretty exciting (great minds think alike). I'm fortunate to have 100 yards off my back porch and can load a test up in a few minutes and shoot it. I also get to shoot 8-10 rifle rounds annually. A few things to consider is, I have taken care of all of the brass prep possible from trim length, annealing, shoulder bump, using a mandrel for .0015 neck tension etc etc etc. I do this for everything from 223 to 338 LM. The video is a little old and I plan on doing another with Steve and Ed explaining ghost nodes which look good on the chronograph but don't shoot that well and how to handle smaller and larger cartridges. One of the reason I stick to 100 yards is I don't want to work my way into positive compensation (PC), which simplified is tuning your rifle for the slowest and highest velocity bullets leave at different points of barrel deflection and converge at the desired distance. This is awesome for F class and Bench rest guys and absolutely necessary to be competitive in the game they play. For Hunting I'm sure PC would fine as well most of the vital zones on bigger game animals are MOA or better to 1000 yards, but the what I like to do I need the load to be accurate and the ES to be low as well. My method wont work for everyone for a wide variety of reasons.
Satterlee Scott
Well-Known Member
Additionally there are quite a few things that folks don't necessarily take care of properly during brass prep as well.
User4302021
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Thank you Scott for taking the time to reply here.
Satterlee Scott
Well-Known Member
OCW is the best way without a good chronograph.
Satterlee Scott
Well-Known Member
LOL I think the 6.5 guys name is gonna stick.
