When working up loads...
- Thread starter Baal
- Start date
I use a leather sand bag rear rest and a Caldwell front adjustable rest. Most of the time I shoot at 100 yards, but when I find that happy medium load I shoot at 200 and 300 yards in all kinds of positions. Good luck and most of all have fun doing it!
x2 on that and i also make several batches.
first test is at 100 m, second is at 200m you would be surprised what at difference in results you will notice between 100 to 200m.
and lastly to confirm once i narrow the charge down a bit more i drive it to the 300 m.
the 300 m is a more finicky , more things to take into consideration, like wind etc'.
some people think its overkill but i still like to see the charge preform nicely from 100 to 300.
I use a Lead Sled with about 25lbs on it. I test at 50yds. The dynamics work just fine a group is a group and reacts the same way. When you start out with a 2" group and then get one that is sub MOA, that's when I start to play with it at 100yds. Changing by .5gns. Until then I sub MOA groups. Then I change by .1gns until I get the smallest group I can get. Then I shoot to 200, 300, 400, and even 500. That's as far as our range goes.
I agree with the Lead Sled approach to shooting.
Take away some of the shooting error and not having to think about recoil
on the larger calibers.
I find going to the range with someone that can outshoot me
seems to sharpen my skills.
Looky.
Take away some of the shooting error and not having to think about recoil
on the larger calibers.
I find going to the range with someone that can outshoot me
seems to sharpen my skills.
Looky.
mattyboylewis
Regular
- Location
- Oliver, BC
Get yourself set up to take away the human error as much as possible. The lead sleds are great, but so is a great group of sandbags. When you sandbag, make sure your pressure or contact points from the bags to the rifle stay somewhat the same. . . shot after shot for the rifle to shoot consistently. When you are changing from one charge load to the next, be sure to use the same positioning as the previous load from the bench.
As for 50 yards, that may be more suited for a 22LR, if you can get out to 100 or more you will be able to see the true capabilities of your loads.
Good luck on your loading. Here is a cheers to great groups!
As for 50 yards, that may be more suited for a 22LR, if you can get out to 100 or more you will be able to see the true capabilities of your loads.
Good luck on your loading. Here is a cheers to great groups!
"...When working up loads..." Use a solid bench rest at 100 and shoot for group only. Partial to sand bags myself. Helps if there is sand at the range vs lugging a bag of sand around. If your range has non sand, you can buy a 66 lb bag of sand for under $10 in Home Depot and leave it in your vehicle.
Logan_Lamothe
Regular
- Location
- Big River, Sask
Leadsled with 75pounds of shot.
200 yards will show off a good load pretty quick.
I fine tune at 350 because that is where my longest convenient target is.
Small adjustments show up immediately.
The problem with shooting that far is wind can mess with your testing.
Sand bags all the way.
I fine tune at 350 because that is where my longest convenient target is.
Small adjustments show up immediately.
The problem with shooting that far is wind can mess with your testing.
Sand bags all the way.
Caldwell front rest. Caldwell rear sand bag rest and my shoulder to soak up recoil. Min 200yrds for under 30Cal, 500 yrds for the 50 and 338. First group of 3 are spoilers to get a base velocity and adjust the scope. Start with 3 shot groups then 5 and 10 to really see the performance.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I had intended on getting a Lead Sled or similar set-up but a number of years back while in AB for a Mule Deer hunt, I was given a gift. My Daughter and her Mother In Law made up a good selection of bean bags and for my needs they've worked so well, I've pretty well forgotten about the Lead Sled idea. It would definately be handy when working through loads with some of the bigger bruisers. I use the same bean bags for some paper punching and working up handgun loads as well, with a protective mat to protect them especially against the blast that comes from the cylinder gap on revolvers.
Most of my initial test shooting is at 100 yds. Once I work up loads through an incremental load development/ladder method, then I'll do some further testing at 200. Once I'm satisfied with a load in a particular firearm I try and shoot an equal amount under field conditions as I shoot at paper. With the possibility of getting a draw for 'Speed Goat' in AB, in the not too distant future, there's additional practice required. There aren't too many natural rests in the field and considering the distances that may be encountered, I've been doing some shooting using a bipod and some practice with a set of Stoney Point shooting sticks. If nothing else, it has shown me the best scenario would for me to come across a shooting bench out in the field if I see an Antelope. Most people are in that category for me.
I do my load testing at 200m or more unless it is not possible (such as last weekend when it was almost too foggy to see the target at 100).
Most of my load testing is for match conditions and so I load test as such using the same equipment and technique as I would in competition.
For hunting you would most likely be shooting from a rolled up jacket, pack, log, tree branch etc as I doubt you are going to carry a sandbag and or front rest and or lead sled into the bush with you.
Test your loads the same way you would be using them in the field.
If you want to take as many of the variables out then use a sturdy front rest (such as a Caldwell Rock Deluxe or Caldwell Rock BR) and a good quality rear bag off a bench.
Rock Deluxe
Rock BR
Most of my load testing is for match conditions and so I load test as such using the same equipment and technique as I would in competition.
For hunting you would most likely be shooting from a rolled up jacket, pack, log, tree branch etc as I doubt you are going to carry a sandbag and or front rest and or lead sled into the bush with you.
Test your loads the same way you would be using them in the field.
If you want to take as many of the variables out then use a sturdy front rest (such as a Caldwell Rock Deluxe or Caldwell Rock BR) and a good quality rear bag off a bench.
Rock Deluxe
Rock BR
I've watched too many loads that punched bugholes at 100 turn ordinary at 200 and fall apart before 500. Short range accuracy isn't much to go on, because it doesn't take much more than a fair barrel and an opportune exit time to produce that.
Although winning the barrel whip lottery will often cluster a poor load at short range, it won't keep the show going when the range gets long. Consistant velocities and good bullets will.
I use 3 different Caldwells, and often just a locking benrest bipod and rear bag on rifles that will probably never be used any other way. The adjustable front rests are a convenience when shooting multiple rifles at multiple ranges, but I have never been able to prove than I shot better groups that with my old shotbags full of sand. A real benchrester probably could.
Although winning the barrel whip lottery will often cluster a poor load at short range, it won't keep the show going when the range gets long. Consistant velocities and good bullets will.
I use 3 different Caldwells, and often just a locking benrest bipod and rear bag on rifles that will probably never be used any other way. The adjustable front rests are a convenience when shooting multiple rifles at multiple ranges, but I have never been able to prove than I shot better groups that with my old shotbags full of sand. A real benchrester probably could.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Something else that may factor in is a calculation of a particular bullets stability. A guy sent me an interactive xls spread sheet for doing it. I don't know how good it is but it's something else to 'play' with. If you're interested, PM me your e-mail address and I'll forward it on to you.
That'd be even better.
Sandbags may be fine for everyone else, but I choose to remove as much of me from a work up load or accuracy tests.
That being said, my next purchase will be the Hyskore Dangerous Game Machine Rest.
A buddy had one this fall at the range and when he bolted it to the bench, there was ZERO human factor. This thing ROCKS! You will know EXACTLY what your rifle/round is capable of.
Edit: Dang, my pics never work!!
Edit# 3: That's better!!
That being said, my next purchase will be the Hyskore Dangerous Game Machine Rest.
A buddy had one this fall at the range and when he bolted it to the bench, there was ZERO human factor. This thing ROCKS! You will know EXACTLY what your rifle/round is capable of.
Edit: Dang, my pics never work!!
Edit# 3: That's better!!
