Ran 2 Satterlee test today

[Chase723]

This is where I get the heartburn from guys saying it doesn't work. It seems they are using it and basing their opinions on the wrong reason. A particular shooter, when all the stars line up, will shoot a 1/4" group and say "aha, I found my load". The problem is can this same shooter consistently shoot 1/4" groups with that load or only occasionally and under ideal conditions. Maybe yes but more likely no. Now sometimes a person can get lucky.
I want a load that will shoot groups consistently under all conditions. These groups may only be 3/4" but I know they will be 3/4" consistently regardless whether its 70* or 20*, 40% humidity or 80%, 1500" elevation or 3000', etc.

For sure. I've stopped caring about convincing anyone that it works, but certainly I know that it works for me and helps me find loads fast without hardly any effort. So, I'm happy to encourage anyone who's open to it, to try it. That said I think it's requisite that in order for it to be successful, someone has to both a) have their reloading practices dialed in and b) be able to consistently shoot small groups.

 

[Chase723]

To the OP, I hope it works for you. In the future, I would use 0.2gr or 0.3gr increments for your velocity ladder. If you're simply looking for pressure to quickly find the top end in your rifle use 0.5gr increments. Good luck!

 

[Chase723]

I have 5 300WM rifles I use, also one, a Remington custom shop 5R I do not use. Never ever fired it, it's still wrapped in the bag it came in and in it's factory supplied box.
All of them hit pay dirt at 81g-81.5g of H1000 with almost any 180g bullet.
Satterlee ladder test is NOT how I find my nodes, sample size is too small.

Cheers.

Pretty common for loads to be similar in the same cartridge using the same weight bullet.

 

[FEENIX]

Whenever a specific methodology used in their load development is tossed around, we tend to share opinions, experiences, failures, successes, etc. Often, people say it does not always work, there is not enough sample size, and they are food for thought and have their merits. They are all correct, but what one does with the information is another story, regardless of how long one is into reloading.

I am not here to dispel what works, convince anyone which methodology is best, or claim to be an SME. Research has three methodologies/approaches – qualitative, quantitative, and mixed. I keep historical data of all my load developments and have had discussions with some LRH members. My approach might be controversial to some, if not most. This is my approach, NOT a detailed process, so here it goes:

1. Qualitative: I usually research what powder to use, and then pressure test them. For instance, on my .257WBY, I did a pressure test on four different powders (4 different charges each) to determine the safe pressure and velocity goal for the bullet I will use. In short, it took 20 shots to pressure test 4 powders. It does not happen all the time, but I get lucky occasionally. I should note that @Bghunter338 shared his load on his .25 Blackbird. Since we use the same bullet, I used his information as my baseline to reach my goal. Networking, sharing, and benchmarking are fantastic.

1. Mixed: Once I determine the safe pressure for each powder, I will load two of the same charge and slowly work up to the safe pressure determined in step 1 in .5g increments, carefully monitoring signs of pressure on each shot, using a combination of OCW and ladder test similar to the video below.

NOTE: Most of my load development is in Sep/Oct before my fall hunt.

1. Quantitative: Once I determine what is best for my intended purpose from step 2, I will further expound my load in smaller increments, load them in 3s, see how they group, and adjust accordingly. This is the opportunity to increase an acceptable representative sample if desired and set by the hand loader. Some will shoot 10-20 and up to satisfy the repeatability of their load grouping. I only do 3-shot groups for hunting loads, but I do cold bore shots that might require multiple range times. In my nearly 5 decades of hunting, I only had one opportunity for a follow-up shot.

These are just some thoughts to ponder. Cheers!

Ed

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

To the OP, I hope it works for you. In the future, I would use 0.2gr or 0.3gr increments for your velocity ladder. If you're simply looking for pressure to quickly find the top end in your rifle use 0.5gr increments. Good luck!

You know I did think about doing that but .3 gr vs .5 gr difference of H1000 powder is only a couple granules. With that in mind I opted to go with the .5 gr increment.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Well, I also do not follow 'norms' in my handloading procedures, powder choices or seating depths.
Have had 25-06's and 300WM's since the 80's. As powders have changed, more and more slow powders on the market have woken up many cartridges from mundane to super magnums.
Of note are H1000, Retumbo, RL25, H50BMG and Vhit24N41 are awesome in cartridges like 25-06, 264WM, 270 Bee, 257 Bee, 300WM & 6.5-300 Bee.
I am using H50BMG in my custom designed 264WM with velocities it shouldn't be getting, but it does safely. Retumbo is another, data is based on QL predictions and is far from actual pressure tested numbers.
Without experimentation, we'd still be running H4350 in the 264WM @ 3100fps velocities and not think twice. This is what my original 264WM was getting with 140g Partitions back in 1988, not even close to factory velocities on the books/box…

Cheers.