New Ladder test

[Preda8or]

Ok guys here is another ladder test, 8 twist 22-250 this time with 80gr A-max's bullets H-4350 powder and each test was shot on different days, all three days 1 to 3mph wind mostly calm at 300yds and again no chronograph available. Tell me what my load is?

 

[steve4102]

36.8 grains

 

[tx_shooter]

I'd say retest the low end of the 36 bracket. I noticed that on one test you test from 35.8 to 37 and on the other one you test from 36 to 37.4 gr.

I think from the targets your nodes are around the low 36.2-4 range. This is where the testing gets harder... do a couple test with .1 grain differences. The smaller cases will show the difference with .1gr changes.

 

[boomtube]

I agree with the above accessement of the right target. Unfortunantly, that isn't confirmed by the left target! Including your first targets, I see no indication of any "sweet spot" or node in your tests thus far.

Perhaps your limited range of charges isn't wide enough to find a node. Or, just as likely, that powder and bullet combo simply isn't working in your rifle.

I doubt that load increments of .1 gr. will help until you get a better grasp on what works.

 

[royinidaho]

Hmmmmmm,

Well here goes. First I'd say you're another one who missed the dime

Second I"d say your target was at 300 yrds? If it was closer than that I'd say that powder/bullet/seating depth/primer combination isn't the best of matches.

I really couldn't "see" a correlation/repeatability between the two targets to be able to pick the powder weight that would be best.

Just my thoughts.

Good to hear from you again.

 

[Preda8or]

Yes 300yrd. Going to try to run another test in the morning

 

[Preda8or]

I thought the best way to find seating depth was after you find powder charge?

 

[Derek M.]

I thought the best way to find seating depth was after you find powder charge?

That is my method.

Just taking into consideration what is available from the target, I would take 6 rounds of each of the following, shooting 2 three shot groups:

36.2 x6 rounds
36.4 x 6
36.8 x 6
37.0 x 6

I would shoot the 36.4 and 36.8 groups first.

 

[tx_shooter]

I thought the best way to find seating depth was after you find powder charge?

The only problem with waiting till you have maxed your pressure finding your node is that when you start changing your seating depth you start changing your pressure too. I had to redo a load when I adjusted my seating depth for some 168s. It seems the depth of the bullet will throw your pressures high real easy. So I find the bullets preferred seating depth - do some load testing - tune a node - retest the depth up and down a little... then shoot the heck out of it.

 

[Derek M.]

The only problem with waiting till you have maxed your pressure finding your node is that when you start changing your seating depth you start changing your pressure too. I had to redo a load when I adjusted my seating depth for some 168s. It seems the depth of the bullet will throw your pressures high real easy. So I find the bullets preferred seating depth - do some load testing - tune a node - retest the depth up and down a little... then shoot the heck out of it.

This idea is cogent. We should do what works. For me, if I begin with the bullet seated at the lands, my pressures are usually at their highest, as they should be. This leaves me with one direction to tune, and that is to seat deeper, where consequently, the pressures tend to drop. If in fact I can get a better load with a bullet seated deeper and pressure drops, I can always add more powder to see if the load can be tuned even more.

My problem is I tend to get lazy once my loads are in the .4 range and under at 100 yards.

 

[royinidaho]

This idea is cogent. Ya got me on that one

My problem is I tend to get lazy once my loads are in the .4 range and under at 100 yards. I get lazy at 1/2 MOA @ 200. Well not lazy I just stop.

Interesting thread.....

Pred8or keep us going!

 

[Derek M.]

Interesting thread.....

Pred8or keep us going!

Cogent:

1. convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling.
2. to the point; relevant; pertinent.
3. appealing, or makes reasonable sense.

 

[royinidaho]

I really didn't know that

 

[Preda8or]

Third ladder test added to first page. Fire at will