Ive only ever used 100m to test the group size when trying out new ammo. I have a indoor range close to my house but they only go out to 40yards. Going there to test a new load would save me huge time. Is 40yards enough room for the bullet tho?
is 40yards far enough to test a new load?
- Thread starter AKD
- Start date
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Depends what you're shooting and how accurate you need it to be.
I would say 100 is the standard, but you might get an 'okay' idea at 40.
I would say 100 is the standard, but you might get an 'okay' idea at 40.
It would certainly give you an idea and it depends what your shooting and what you want it for. For my cowboy action shooting 45colt (Marlin 1894/Ruger Vaqueros) 40yards is penty, actually I go 25 then 50. Same with a 44-40, etc.
If you have a rifle in 30-06 or somthing similar in usable trajectory I'd be wanting to try it out at 100. 100's Pretty much the standard. If you plan to shoot at 100, 200, 300 yards then I'd practice at those exact distances.
Good luck and straight shooting.
If you have a rifle in 30-06 or somthing similar in usable trajectory I'd be wanting to try it out at 100. 100's Pretty much the standard. If you plan to shoot at 100, 200, 300 yards then I'd practice at those exact distances.
Good luck and straight shooting.
You could see all the same pressure indicators regardless of distance. If you have a chrony, and could use that, it'd be fine too. Accuracy wise, I don't think it'd be a waste of time, but it certainly wouldn't tell you everything you'd want to know.
If you are planning on shooting out past 100yds or meters then I would test at longer than that.
I do my load testing at 200, this is usually far enough to tell me what will happen further down range and whether my load is holding together or not.
40yds probably won't tell you much as you would most likely have nothing but one hole groups at that range.
I do my load testing at 200, this is usually far enough to tell me what will happen further down range and whether my load is holding together or not.
40yds probably won't tell you much as you would most likely have nothing but one hole groups at that range.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I would say no. Too close unless you're talking handgun reloads. Then fill your boots.
Probably ok for a first round especially if you use a chrony.
You'd be able to see the really bad loads - if they're bad at 40 they ain't going to get any better down range.
If using a chrony you'd be able to see velocity and standard deviation and such.
The combination of these two could narrow your focus for further testing at greater distance.
But you won't be able to detect any of the good loads, especially for distance.
You'd be able to see the really bad loads - if they're bad at 40 they ain't going to get any better down range.
If using a chrony you'd be able to see velocity and standard deviation and such.
The combination of these two could narrow your focus for further testing at greater distance.
But you won't be able to detect any of the good loads, especially for distance.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
40 , yes, use a spitzer , and the changes will be small, but I can see a good load show up at that range.
I keep reading this type of thing all the time, from the experts on these threads, but no one has bothered to say why this is so.
It is usual to sight a hunting rifle, with the commonly mounted scope position, to hit from two, to three inches high at a 100 yards. Up to, and somewhat beyond this range, the hunter simply aims at where he wants to hit. His cartridge type, often called calibre, will determine what the actual "somewhat beyond this range," will be.
With a 30-30 class it will be to about 150 yards, or a bit more. With the 30-06 class of cartridge it will extend the range to where he can aim straight at the spot he wants to hit, to about 250 yards.
There are many trajectory tables out there to determine where the shooters extended range will be.
Doing this sight adjustments at 100 yards is completely satisfactory, for normal hunting.
If some one is going to say the rifle and load may perform well at 100 yards, but be erratic, at say 250 yards, I will make a pre-empt call and say, Bull biscuits.
H4831,
For all your claims of all your experience, that's about the stupidest thing you could have said. You really should go back to reading 50 year old magazines and dreaming.
It has already been pointed out to you that 40 yards is OK for working up your loads. Sighting is the only thing in question.
Since your original post, I did some digging into it. Jack O'Connor and his succeeder at Outdoor Life, Jim Carmichel, both recommend 100 yards as the sight in distance. Jack states about exactly like I stated in a post on here, which is, two to three inches high, at 100 yards, depending on what size game you are after.
Jim Carmichel goes deeper into the distance the scope is above the rifle bore, in talking about a shorter distance than 100 yards for sighting. He talks about the often quoted 25 yard sighting, but points out how a higher mounted scope can upset the hoped for figures. He points out there is just half the error at 50 yards, but 100 is the usual, using the standard trajectory figures. He also states that 250 yards, or the distance you want it to be zeroed at, is better yet, if you have the facility to do it.
I read the reply's and sounds like your all talking but no one ever tried.
I went to the indoor range with my 22-250 and 5 different gn loads. If you think 40yards is to short to get testing loads ur completely wrong. It is very obvious witch load was the best. my optimal load of 40gn of H380 with 40g nosler's I was able to put 5 rounds threw the same hole. 39gn was close but u get the idea.
I wont say u can do it all @ close range. ill still be tweeking at 200m but going indoor to get a base gn saved a lot of time and gas $$$
I went to the indoor range with my 22-250 and 5 different gn loads. If you think 40yards is to short to get testing loads ur completely wrong. It is very obvious witch load was the best. my optimal load of 40gn of H380 with 40g nosler's I was able to put 5 rounds threw the same hole. 39gn was close but u get the idea.
I wont say u can do it all @ close range. ill still be tweeking at 200m but going indoor to get a base gn saved a lot of time and gas $$$
My friend, at least two of us told you that 40 yards was OK for working up your loads. I have done accuracy tests like that at 25 yards.
I then said sighting was the only thing in question.
I really don't appreciate that remark about us being all talk and no testing.
I then said sighting was the only thing in question.
I really don't appreciate that remark about us being all talk and no testing.
Depending on what bullet you happen to be using, some bullets don't go to sleep until they are at the 300M (VLD's for instance). BT's will sleep a little sooner and flat base will sleep almost the instant they leave the barrel.
I have had loads that shoot 1 holes groups at 100 and 200m but when I tested them at 300m it was a whole new ballgame. Load adjustment was necessary for the longer distances.
The main thing to do is make sure your load is repeatably accurate, remember, fliers can land inside the group just as easy as they can land outside the group.
I have had loads that shoot 1 holes groups at 100 and 200m but when I tested them at 300m it was a whole new ballgame. Load adjustment was necessary for the longer distances.
The main thing to do is make sure your load is repeatably accurate, remember, fliers can land inside the group just as easy as they can land outside the group.
AKD,
Just reread and noticed that you were moving out to 200 anyway. Your 40 grain load will vaporize gophers, I shot out a couple barrels at 40-41 grains with the 40 grain V-max. One thing to watch with H380 is it is rather temperature sensitive. A load that shoots in the summer can get sour in the winter. In other words your 40 grain load can turn into your 39 or 38 grain load.
Just reread and noticed that you were moving out to 200 anyway. Your 40 grain load will vaporize gophers, I shot out a couple barrels at 40-41 grains with the 40 grain V-max. One thing to watch with H380 is it is rather temperature sensitive. A load that shoots in the summer can get sour in the winter. In other words your 40 grain load can turn into your 39 or 38 grain load.
