Questions about Max loads and Ladder tests.

RaTFiNk306

RaTFiNk306

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Hello Everyone,

I did a quick search on ladder tests in the MBR forum but nothing came up so I thought I would put it out there. A while ago I read an article in Handloader Magazine about this load development test called the ladder test. It consisted of loading up a bunch of rifle cartridges with increasing powder ammounts in .5 grain increments. The result of firing these 10 rounds was a vertical string but with 2 or 3 of these bullets cloverleafing showing your optimal powder charge, and also proving that powder charges can vary a little bit (by a full 1.5 grains with this guys combination) and not reduce accuracy. No one in my local shooting circle has heard of this or tried so was wondering if anyone has had any luck with this in an M14/M1A.

Also was wondering if you could take M14's to the MAX LOAD.
I have 10 rounds loaded with:
110gr Barnes TSX over 44.5- 49.0gr increasing over 10 rounds of H4895 (provided from the Hodgdon Reloading data)

And another 10 loaded:

168 Grain Hornady AMAX over 39.0gr - 43.5gr increasing over 10 rounds of H4895 (provided from the Hodgdon Reloading data)

Should the Norinco M14 be able to handle these to their max loads? Anything a guy should check if doing this kind of test?
 
These things run on and are designed around port pressure. 12000psi port pressure IIRC. Exceeding this will inevitably cause issues with the rifle. I think most max loads will exceed this pressure. From what I have read, most good loads are well below max load.

Always check for signs of excess pressure on the cases

Found the article

http://www.zediker.com/downloads/14_loading.pdf
 
I did this kind of load testing last year with my m700 .308 win worked up in .7 gr increments firing two groups of each when I got close to max loads groups started to open up and I found where the best accuracy was with a decent velocity ! I plan on doing this test with my m14 this spring if it ever gets here ! I'm gonna do the latter test with 168 smk set at 2.800 and work up loads with imr4895 shoot 2 ,5 round groups and see where the best accuracy is , then maybe do it with imr4064 and take notes on how well the rifle functions
 
Well please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I read that the max chamber pressure for this rifle is 50,000 psi. These two loads at the max load are 46,200psi and 49,500psi respectivly. I will like you said definately check each brass carefully after each firing and if anything looks scary as I work up the ladder I will back off. No idea what the port pressure will be with these loads.
 
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