Tuning VLD's

[bdubb]

I have about 1000 Berger 115 VLD's that I am thinking about trying to load up for a 25-06 Remington Sendero that I use as a hunting rifle. I have the belief that starting off touching the lands is the safest way of finding max load and then working from that point to find the node and seating depth. However after reading the article found here, http://www.bergerbullets.com/getting-the-best-precision-and-accuracy-from-vld-bullets-in-your-rifle/ , I am curious if trying to find the sweet spot with the VLD would warrant adjusting seating depth before finding the optimal load based on a ladder test.

Most of what I have learned is to find max, then fine tune with a ladder test to find the node, then fine tune the seating depth. Would swapping the steps of seating depths versus the node be of any advantage or disadvantage when considering the work involved with finding a solid VLD load?

 

[Bruno]

Tag for later, I just got some 6.5 140 hunting VLDs for my Creed and would love to have a better idea on how to tune them.

 

[kansas]

Thanks for that article. I bought 500 185 VLDs recently because that was the only long range .308 bullet for sale anywhere and they shoot fine but I was wondering if I could seat them deep enough to feed from a box magazine in my .308 and sounds like it's worth a try.

 

[6mmRem]

I would start .010" off the lands and do ladder test with powder. After you find that sweet spot for powder then adjust seat depth. IMO it works great.

 

[Boogie]

I've just been reading the Berger Reloading Manual and in the section on load development Bryan Litz says that finding seating depth should be done first in most cases. Apparently seating depth tends to be more static than powder weight so find the depth that your barrel likes using a medium velocity load then work on powder weight. I've never tried this method, always working with the powder first but seeing as I'm doing some LD work now I'm going to try it.

I tried the LD suggestions on Bergers site for VLDs and the rifle I was working with loves them jammed .005". Try jumping them and the group opens up big time.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Wanna sell any of those 115s OP


Sierracharlie out....

 

[bdubb]

Wanna sell any of those 115s OP


Sierracharlie out....

Not at this time. Looking to put them to good use one of these days.

 

[bdubb]

I've just been reading the Berger Reloading Manual and in the section on load development Bryan Litz says that finding seating depth should be done first in most cases. Apparently seating depth tends to be more static than powder weight so find the depth that your barrel likes using a medium velocity load then work on powder weight. I've never tried this method, always working with the powder first but seeing as I'm doing some LD work now I'm going to try it.

I tried the LD suggestions on Bergers site for VLDs and the rifle I was working with loves them jammed .005". Try jumping them and the group opens up big time.

Thank you for pointing that out. I have the same manual so I'll go in and reread that section as well.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Worth a shot. I got a 257 Roberts I need to work up a load for eventually but other stuff ahead in priority.


Sierracharlie out....

 

[Heman]

When I played with VLD's I took a known charge that works in most rifles (in case of my AR-15 service 24gr of Varget) and then I adjusted for seating depth. THen I went back and did the charge. While not VLD's I found the 80gr Amax were finicky and I had to find the seating depth first before I could work on charge.

 

[Name Enough]

I called thier tech support line. The person on the line was a knowledgeable long range shooter. He gave me exactly the info I needed to work up my loads. A starting point and how far to go. You can't do better than that. Give them a call. My infor was specfic to my caliber so I won't share it here.