Need Help Deciding a Load

[Formosan]

I just got a hold of a labradar to chrono some of my loads through the 18" WOA 1:8 223Wylde AR15, would appreciate some input on selecting a load. Goal is to have a load that can consistently hit 4" plates at 400 yards and maybe 600 yards.

One additional variable, i removed a rubber harmonic dampener from the barrel, right behind the muzzle devise/suppressor where it grouped best, this time around. Having the dampener did seem to tighten the groups. Take a look and let me know what you think.

The 2 pics with 15 targets each did not have the dampener on. The 3 pics with 6 targets each are from last week's testing, no chrono yet, had dampener on.

 

[BBVDD]

Run a ladder test when you get your LabRadar in and post that.
Without knowing where the nodes are, it is impossible to say.

 

[supercorndogs]

23.somthing of 8208 is where many are winding up.

 

[Dthomas3523]

If your goal is 400 yds mainly, just pick one with low ES and dial in the groups via seating depth.

 

[Formosan]

If your goal is 400 yds mainly, just pick one with low ES and dial in the groups via seating depth.

I have been loading to mag length in the AR15, 2.255" OAL. How much deeper, or further away form the lands, can one go with the 77 SMK out of LC 5.56 brass?

 

[Formosan]

Run a ladder test when you get your LabRadar in and post that.
Without knowing where the nodes are, it is impossible to say.

I might have jumbled up my post, but i did have the labradar and have posted the ES and SD for each load on the 2 pictures with 15 targets each.

 

[BBVDD]

have posted the ES and SD for each load on the 2 pictures with 15 targets each.

For the node you need to find a flat spot in the velocity of the bullets across powder loads.

You only need one round per powder charge in a range of charges. You may want to verify with another run of the test.

Does that make sense?

That being said, you can study your speeds from that data and see if you can find your node.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Single shot ladder tests are not very efficient. Especially if your loads don’t have a low ES.

If one charge is fired and it’s on the high end of the ES and the next load is on the low end, you will get a false flat spot (and sometimes, depending on primer/powder combo, there are no real flat spots).

If you’re not getting consistent ES of 20 or less, single shot ladder tests are not the way to go.

 

[BBVDD]

Well, the ladder test is just a starting point with load development, yes?

 

[Dthomas3523]

Well, the ladder test is just a starting point with load development, yes?

It’s not needed. You can pick your target velocity based on published load data and work up and down from there. The only time I would use a 1 shot ladder test us when testing primers.

Unless it’s a complete wildcat, there is enough load data online that you’re just wasting ammo to get the same info most everyone else has. Not to mention, if your flat spot was indeed an anomaly of high/low ES, said ladder test is now worthless.

With modern chronos and easily sourced load data, finding a powder charge can be done in less than 50 rounds. Then 50 or less for seating depth. While having almost complete confidence in a powder node that will withstand environmental changes In the equivalent of .3-.5 grains of powder.