Ladder Test

[Ganderite]

I was looking for an article Creighton Audtette wrote wherein he commented on the fallacy of five shot groups for ammo testing. I came across this article on ladder testing.

By the way, i used to deal with Creighton in person. He spoke. I listened. I should have made notes.

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2012/07/13/creighton-audette-ladder-testing/

 

[The ROC]

I've been using the ladder test method for a couple of years loading for my 308 rifles and most recently my 223. I'm quite satisfied with the sub MOA results using this method. I end up using 15 to 20 rounds sometime 30 if I'm testing at a lower or higher velocity for my rifle's preferred node.

 

[mimile]

This is a very fast and efficient method for finding a velocity node which corresponds quite often too an accuracy group of 1 moa or less. I use it for my hunting loads at 100 yards and it works every time.

 

[regulate34]

The ladder test has always got me to a decent load pretty fast.
I find 300yrds is a good distance to be able to read the results best.
I also like that you find max load in the same test.

Except I had a 204 ruger that needed to be done at 500yrds even that. The whole ladder test was less then 5” at 500yrds.

 

[Lead hammer]

It’s a good starting point. The exact test should be repeated to ensure its correct.