Help with first ladder test

[seanb]

So I just read about the ladder test here and thought I would give it a try with my ar-15 (Krieger barrel, 7.7 twist) and Savage 110ba. I used 77gr and 69gr SMK's and 300gr SMK for the 338 and they were all shot at 400 yards. Loads are written on the targets. I have a few questions about what I shot:

1)There was absolutely no wind today. Should I really be seeing this much horizontal deviation between shots? I understand that it has no bearing in the ladder test, it's just worrisome I guess (first time shooting out to 400 yards).

2)I don't really see any clear "group" in the 338 string. Should I try again?

3) In the 69gr test shots 1&2 are very close, both vertically and horizontally, and 4&5 are close vertically, but not horizontally. Should I bother expanding on 4&5 (trying 5 shot groups) or just 1&2?

I hope these aren't too stupid/annoying questions that are asked all the time, but I appreciate the help!

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Help with first ladder test

I don't know what to make of the fact that you did your first ladder test while shooting at 400 yards for the first time. Don't get me wrong, there is some pretty good shooting here. Shots 1, 2 and 3 with the 69 gr were impressive.
With the 77gr SMK I would take the loads from shot 3 thru 8 and do and OCW test (just back off to 2 to 300 yards to cut down on some environmental and shooter error possibilities). You can probably find reference to Newberry's OCW method here or Google.
I really don't see anything on the 338LM, but some could be the fact that it can be much harder to concentrate with a 338 over a 223. I found Retumbo to be better with the 300 SMK than H1000.
There is my opinion, and you do know what they say about opinions

.

 

[seanb]

Re: Help with first ladder test

oops! Probably should have mentioned they were shot off a rest. The only touching of the rifle I did was squeezing the trigger. Thanks for the response! I'll have to try the Retumbo next, I've seen about 50/50 between liking Retumbo and H1000.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Help with first ladder test

IME, H1000 was very good for the 250 SMK loads but Retumbo best for the 300 SMK loads.
As for the rest, I see that as the only way to get decent data with OCW or Ladder.

 

[ms6852]

Re: Help with first ladder test

I am going to do a ladder test also on my RRA predator pursuit...I have never done one so please excuse any ignorance on my behave with my questioning.

1. How are you able to determine which load is best? I do not see in your pictures a point of aim reference. Were all your shots just aimed at center of target?

2.Based on what I see the harmonics for your barrel seems to like the loads for #6,#7,#9,and #10 on the second picture, am I correct in determining this?

Thanks for your response.

 

[Neo]

Re: Help with first ladder test

I hate to say this but unless your a 3/4 MOA shooter or better @ 400 Yrds IMHO your test was a waste of time and ammo. If you are able to shoot that well then I would look shoots 3-8 on the first target and loads 6-10 on the second( 8 looks like it might have been a bad shot). For the 338 I would bump up the powder if you didn't have any pressure signs or switch powder.

Since my local range only has 200 Yrds I do an OCW test @ 100 then once I find my node and seating depth I confirm @ 200. I never had a load fall apart @ distance with that approach.

 

[tangodeltakilo]

Re: Help with first ladder test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Neoshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate to say this but unless your a 3/4 MOA shooter or better @ 400 Yrds IMHO your test was a waste of time and ammo. If you are able to shoot that well then I would look shoots 3-8 on the first target and loads 6-10 on the second( 8 looks like it might have been a bad shot). For the 338 I would bump up the powder if you didn't have any pressure signs or switch powder.

Since my local range only has 200 Yrds I do an OCW test @ 100 then once I find my node and seating depth I confirm @ 200. I never had a load fall apart @ distance with that approach. </div></div>

I just did an ladder at 260yards..

Results are not as I was hoping, I normally shoot at least moa at 100 yrds, however at this distance apparently to many things have been amplified. If someone see's anything from this let me know otherwise I wont be attempting this again without shooting from a vice to completely rule out shooter error.

Looks like I will attempt the OCW at 100yrds as well.