best method for testing different hand loads

[p5200]

If testing say, three different loads as in different powders, charges, bullet types and weights, in .204 caliber what's the best method to use? Should you make say, 6 rounds of each and clean between each 6 differently loaded rounds? Also should the barrel be allowed to completely cool down between each different load to find the one that groups the best. I'm looking for mainly accuracy loads for punching paper mostly at 100yds. Thanks for all advice.

 

[CK_32]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

First. Do a ladder test. Find the combo that works for each. Yes let it cool down.

Second. After you found the load for each combo shoot a 5 shot group at 100 yards of each combo.. Let cool about 10 min after each 5 shots and clean barrel after each group.

Then which ever groups best thats your load.

Thats the way I would do it..

 

[p5200]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

Makes sense, Thanks very much!

 

[vman]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

Ladder test BUT i would not clean. Thats just me.

I find barrels need a bit of fouling before they shoot well.

If you clean the barrel each time you remove fouling and that fouling needs to be put back by the following rounds after cleaning

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First. Do a ladder test. Find the combo that works for each. Yes let it cool down.

Second. After you found the load for each combo shoot a 5 shot group at 100 yards of each combo.. Let cool about 10 min after each 5 shots and clean barrel after each group.

Then which ever groups best thats your load.

Thats the way I would do it.. </div></div>

What CK said. It's the same way I do it as well. It's a good way to make doubly sure the load you go with is the correct one.

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

I'm getting ready to do the same thing, ladder test some new loads at 100 yds. But If you do a ladder test at 100 yds range, I'm wondering if it is better to shoot 3 shot ladder groups as opposed to one shot ladders? (since 100 yards might not be far enough to really show the ladder spread very well?)

 

[vman]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

Ladder spread does not show very well at 100 yards.

Also, fast loads tend to have little verticle spread at shorter distances.

300-400 yards usually works ok for the ladder test.

Also a good setup is needed to keep the rifle steady... either a good mechanical rest / rear bag or good bipod and monopod helps to reduce shooter error interfering with the results down range.

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

So what do you do when 100 yards is all the you available at the time? I was reading about OCW tests (Optimal charge weight). They shoot 3 shot groups and test loads in about 0.3-0.5 grains increments. Each group is shot a separate bullseye. By comparing each group's location relative to bullseye, and the group size, they look for nodes similar to a ladder test. I'm thinking of trying it at 100 yards.

 

[vman]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

ok in that case the ocw test at 100 yards is your best shot.

Because the results are so close together at short range it really does help if you can get the most rock solid shooting platform together to do this... that may mean borrowing a buddies rest/bag if you dont have your own.

If you start to see a load that is scattered in the vertical plane (up/down) this is indicative of muzzle velocity variation and would be a charge I would be least inclined to go with.

 

[aquinas]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

The whole point of ladder testing is to eliminate as much as possible vertical stringing.

Vertical stringing is only a concern at 500 plus yards. If your loads are showing lots of vertical stringing...say 3 moa or better...under 500 yards, you have other issues to deal with.

The biggest accuracy factor at 500 plus yards is the vertical component. Ladder testing allows you to find a load that is more vertically forgiving. Ladder testing isn't really for short distances. A load that works at short distances may not necessarily work at greater distances. And most of the time it fails at long distance due to vertical stringing.

If I were shooting at short distances, I'd work up loads the old fashioned way. Shoot groups of 5 with different powder or components. In fact, in many instances, the lighter loads produce tighter groups at short distances. So do short bullets.

So it all depends on what you want and what you are trying to achieve

 

[42769vette]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

i bet more accurate rifles are made unaccurate by cleaning than vise versa

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

I'm working up loads for long distance, just don't have easy access to over 100 yards for load testing.

Ladder testing seems to be almost the same thing as OCW testing. I think both methods are trying to find the accuracy nodes by comparing multiple loads to each other.

 

[aquinas]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

You can't work up loads for long distance without testing at long distance. I wouldn't work up a short line load at 600 yards and I wouldn't work up a 600 yard load at 200. Forget the whole affair. You're wasting your time.

If all you can shoot is 100 yards, then get teenie, tiny targets. There's nothing wrong with shooting at 100. It's good practice. If you can hold sub-moa at 100 yards, you'll hold sub-moa at 1000 yards. You may not shoot sub-moa at 1000 yards, but here's the deal: If you can't hold sub-moa you sure won't shoot sub-moa. Now, if the rifle and ammo are up to snuff and you suddenly find yourself on a 600 or longer shooting range, you may surprise yourself.

For 100 yard testing, I'd forget ladder testing. And as for OCW, I've read it twice and still can't figure out what this guy is trying to do. I'm sure it works...for him...and maybe one day when I grow a brain...it'll work for me.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: best method for testing different hand loads

I finally got around to trying some different loads today and get some practice trigger time in. I tried the ladder test and at 100yds and using (41,41.5,42,42.5,43,43.5,44,44.5,45g) 9 loads with the same bullets/powder/case and the vertical spread was just under 1.5MOA. The strings were so tight it was hard to decipher which strings were better. So I ended up just shooting 3 shot groups b/c that's all I had left. I'll probably load up some more and go out and shoot 5 shot groups. I'm just using a bipod and rear bag.