Specific scope for load development?

Cleftwynd

Cleftwynd

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To increase POA accuracy and remove as much "me" as possible while shooting groups during load development I was thinking about using one scope for all of my rifles just for that stage. Something like a T36.

I think it would help tighten up my groups over some of the fixed or lower magnification scope I have mounted on many rifles of my for hunting. I would switch the scope to the rifle I would be developing a load for, zero it with known loads, then use it for ladder tests etc.... Once done load development, switch to the rifles own scope and mount the T36 on the next victim.

Does anyone else do something similar? And did it help identify the sweet spots?
 
A T36 might be the answer but there is a Leupold 24X BR in the EE.
That would work for 1" rings but then a 30 mm scope would come next.
A never ending circle unless only the 1' scopes were tested . . . leading to the 30 mm for final confirmation!
 
I wouldn't say I am a bad shot, but with some of my rifles, especially those with low power heavy duplex reticle, I have a much harder time being consistent. Looks like I will be scope shopping soon as I am tired of guessing or hoping my load results are being interpreted correctly.
 
With the exception of one 8.5-25 power Leupold I use, every scope I have is at least 36 power. As long as atmospheric conditions permit, I do personally believe that more is better for load development. Short Range Benchrest is the ultimate in precision, and they all use high-magnification scopes. A T-36 would work well for your purposes. I guess it would have the benefit of giving you some comparison if the load siddenly went sideways with a different scope. but until you can put the scope you want on that gun, nothing wrong with what you propose.
 
I do all my load development at 200-300 yards and I find that 14 power is about the min I need to hold accurately at 200 for load development. That being said I use a 3-18 Swarovski which fits in 1 inch rings and gives me plenty of magnification to do the job. I actually sold all my Leopolds after I tried the Swarovski,s and just left them on the rifles for hunting.
 
OK, all of the above is logical, but I am a mite confused.

You want to use a high-power scope so as to be able to wring the utmost bit of accuracy out of the rifle and load. That makes sense, especially in a target, most especially in a target competion setting.

You also have low-power scopes. (So do I, of course.) I take it to mean that those are for hunting and such. Correct me if I'm wrong.

What confuses me is that you don't need 1/8 minute of angle for hunting, just minute of Bambi. I mean, if you want to wring the loads out because it's a challenge, cool and have at 'er. But it doesn't seem to be something you need for any practical (by which I mean non-competitive) purpose. Your 4X and 6X scopes will never notice the difference.
 
For my own satisfaction and enjoyment. Also I then know more about my hobby and it intricacies. Some rifles I use a 1.5-5x20 normally, but have been known to switch to a 4-16 for longer range, or a hunt outside of its normal uses, in those cases I already have the load developed.
 
Yep exactly as stated above. Minute of Bambi is really all that's needed but since reloading is kind of a hobby thats more satisfying with accurate results I like to see how I'm doing and learn a bit more along the way.

That's kinda how I went to 3-18 scopes. 3 is great for hunting but 18 power lets me use it for target shooting at further ranges.
 
All my rifles (even a T-Bolt .22 ) have Leupold QR bases/rings.
That said, they also have either Leupold VXII 1-4 or 2-7 scopes on them for hunting.
I will often take the VXII 6-18 I have in QR rings on my .223 and use it, for load development
on other rifles as you have mentioned. Makes things (at least to me) considerably sharper out
at 100 and 200 ... and most days, the spotting scope gets left behind.
 
You could take it a step further and get a Bushnell bore sight and mark the location on the bore sight
grid on paper so if you ever come back to the scope on said rifle, you would have a pretty good starting point.
 
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Cleftwynd said:
For my own satisfaction and enjoyment. Also I then know more about my hobby and it intricacies. Some rifles I use a 1.5-5x20 normally, but have been known to switch to a 4-16 for longer range, or a hunt outside of its normal uses, in those cases I already have the load developed.
Click to expand...

CW

how is your range gear? Do you use bags or a front rest and a rear bag. I see a lot of fellas at the range rolling a jacket to shoot off of or some other not very good piece of gear and come on a forum just like this one and ask why their groups aren't consistant.
I like a 6-18 scope for range use at 100 yards, for any higher mag and my little shakes become too noticeable. FS
 
I have a lead sled DFT, or use my front rest and a rear bag. I switch between them. Just got the lead sled though, haven't used it much.
 
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