Choosing ladder test max loads ** now with test results**

Borrowed my friend OAL gauge and got my measurements. My next 2 test ladders are already loaded and the bullet is quite far away from the rifling. Should I load up another ladder using the same powder loads but moving the bullet 0.050 from the rifling? Im above 0.100 at the moment and I read the TMK work well between 0.070 and 0.020.
 
VinceMarksman said:
Borrowed my friend OAL gauge and got my measurements. My next 2 test ladders are already loaded and the bullet is quite far away from the rifling. Should I load up another ladder using the same powder loads but moving the bullet 0.050 from the rifling? Im above 0.100 at the moment and I read the TMK work well between 0.070 and 0.020.
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I like to find load at book.length then bump it out by 0.010 to find the sweet spot then 0.005 to fine tune even more.
 
Hitzy said:
And without a chronograph pointless for determining a long range load...
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Not necessarily. I developed the load for my 6.5x47L without a chrony, and it beat the 1/2moa at 300m challenge. Is a chrony useful? Absolutely. Is it a requirement? Not really imho.
 
Alpheus said:
Not necessarily. I developed the load for my 6.5x47L without a chrony, and it beat the 1/2moa at 300m challenge. Is a chrony useful? Absolutely. Is it a requirement? Not really imho.
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Not at 300m so much no, but for long range shooting you need velocity, and you don't know that without a chrony. OP is running 2-4 grains under max with his "sweet spot". Personally I wouldn't pizz around with a ladder test at min loads with long range bullets like 175tmk's. You will just have to redo it all again, with a chronograph.
 
Hitzy said:
Not at 300m so much no, but for long range shooting you need velocity, and you don't know that without a chrony. OP is running 2-4 grains under max with his "sweet spot". Personally I wouldn't pizz around with a ladder test at min loads with long range bullets like 175tmk's. You will just have to redo it all again, with a chronograph.
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Ive had 1/2 moa out to 600m using a load with 2550 fps with 175 smks. I chose the load with the smallest group at 300y. Then worried about the velocity, and I have a lab radar.
 
bsand said:
Ive had 1/2 moa out to 600m using a load with 2550 fps with 175 smks. I chose the load with the smallest group at 300y. Then worried about the velocity, and I have a lab radar.
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600m isn't really long range either but getting there....
 
Hitzy

what you'd suggest then with my current data and now with knowing my distance to rifling? I don't want to waste bullet because after this lot I don't have anymore TMK's. Trying to source some at the moment.

Should I just bump the bullet to 0.020 from the rifling and do group tests?
 
VinceMarksman said:
Hitzy

what you'd suggest then with my current data and now with knowing my distance to rifling? I don't want to waste bullet because after this lot I don't have anymore TMK's. Trying to source some at the moment.

Should I just bump the bullet to 0.020 from the rifling and do group tests?
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If it was me playing around, I'd use minimal neck tension, seat them long and into the rifling, let the rifling seat the bullet in the case, shoot groups.
 
Hitzy said:
600m isn't really long range either but getting there....
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For getting dope from a ballistic calc, yes MV is quite useful. Even so, I've plugged in generic velocities from loading manuals and used the results to get dope out to 1000-1200m. Gets me on paper at each 100m increment and I correct from there.
 
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