A Question about load development

arcticcathonda

arcticcathonda

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This will be the first time taking my rifle out since I have got it, barrel is very new maybe (20 rounds through it). When I go to shoot my ladder tests this weekend I made sure to make up some foulers/sighters. Do I need to clean the barrel after that and then begin to shoot the ladder? Also, throughout the ladder test I am going to work through 40 rounds, do I need to clean the barrel at any point throughout this process?

I was planning on shooting at 200 yards as my fixed 10X might have trouble seeing at 300m. Going to try and get the rifle as steady as possible and shoot the 3 rounds per load.

I would greatly appreciate any shared wisdom!

As always, thank you.
 
No, the purpose of the foulers is to foul the barrel, you don't clean after them or at any time during the test.
 
fire a few fouler rounds first and shoot your ladder, if your clean your barrel after the foulder then they were pointless as your barrel is no longer fouled !

most any barrel will make it threw 40 rnds with out any change in accuracy, if your rifle cant go 40 rnds with out taking a #### in the accuracy department id be looking at a new barrel haha

IMO your 10x should be able to get out to 300 easily, but i guess it depends on how thick your retical is , that would play a big part in consistant aiming
 
I just went through the same exercise. For my 100m testing, I kept my barrel cool and shot each load from the ladder ( 3 different charge weights) alternating between each load, so I spread any shooter error equally among the test targets. After I found what I considered my best load (46.1 H4831sc for my .260), I started with a clean barrel, shot 3 foulers at 100, then shot a confirmation target for zero at 100m. I then went to 300m to test the load at longer distance. This worked for me. I'm not too smart so I have been asking for help and reading lots of articles on this topic.
 
arcticcathonda said:
Going to try and get the rifle as steady as possible and shoot the 3 rounds per load.
Click to expand...

In the ladder method you shoot one of each load.
Preferably you let the barrel cool down after each shot. In other words, it's better to shoot each shot with the barrel at the same temperature (or close to)
 
RANGE REPORT*********

Well I took it out to the range today to shoot some ladder tests and I think I have honed in on what loads to perhaps develop a little further but I will post them for you to interpret for yourselves. I started over with virgin 260 Lapua brass and trying to develop a load for the 123 gr Scenar.

To begin this is the chrony data plotted vs charge weight. I chose to go form max to min in 0.3 grain increments. I also weighed out each charge on a very accurate lab micro balance down to for example 43.123 grains. It was slow but I don't mind doing it. I shot the ladder test at 300m and repeated it with another round. However I think the chrony started messing up a little.

Result1.jpg


photo-1.jpg


I wasn't able to determine the 8th 9th and 10th shot in the string.
To me it looks like I may try at 42.2-42.5 grain range and maybe something else up near the 43.5 grain mark.

Anyways, I had fun loading up some 140gr Nosler Competition HPBT bullets as well with 41 grains even to do some grouping and it did pretty well @100m. I think I may actually try and play a little more with this combo and see!

photo3.jpg



Any advice would be great.
 
From my experience, I shoot my ladder tests at distances past 600yds (preferably 800yds). I feel that each load will have a more pronounced/distinct visual pattern with the bullet impacts. It is easier to see which load is which, and you are less likely to lose a bullet to two going through the same hole ( I know its unlikely, but near impossible at the longer distances).

Its worked great for many different loads I use out to 1200-1900yds.

Just my .02 cents

Keep it fun guys!
 
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