Ran 2 Satterlee test today

[Clem Bronkoski]

Took my Bergara HMR 300WM out today and after sighting it in with factory ammo (Federal Fusion 180 gr) I proceeded to run 2 Satterlee test using IMR4064 and H1000. Wow what a big difference. The 4064 was all over the place with velocities. The H1000 though gave me 2 nice flat nodes but the best was between 81 and 81.5 gr. The average difference between those two charges was 3 fps (3104 - 3107)! I'm going to charge a few with 81.3 gr once I get back from FL in the spring.
I shoot off a portable table and use a Caldwell Stinger rest because I shoot about 1/2 mile from my house at an old abandoned strip mine. After I was done sighting in and doing the test I turned the dial up 4.25 MOA and centered a 12" or so diameter rock I previously ranged at 297 yards (I often shoot it with my 6.5CM). With the Federal 180s I center punched it watching the cloud of white smoke appear around it. The Federals chronographed at 2930 fps.

 

[Sdvldog1371]

One of my shooting buddies brought his 30-06 with barnes monos and IMR4064 shooting...he swears it has been his best shooting load for years. I literally responded with "IMR 4064....Really?" now that he has a garmin xero, he's starting to see some velocity swing for sure.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

Oh I believer your buddy. I shoot 49 gr of IMR4064 with 180 Barnes TSX and Sierra Game Kings and that is my most accurate load I ever tired out of it.
I rarely shoot maximum loads and usually get my best accuracy with something less. This 300WM seems to be the exception based on the Satterlee test. I'm going to use the higher node which is pushing 3100 fps because the lower one is about 2880, not much more than the 2700 fps I'm getting with the '06. If I'm shooting a bigger cartridge I may as well take advantage of the extra OOMPH! Even with a bit over max I'm not showing any pressure signs at all. Easy extraction, rounded primers etc. I just don't seen any reason to push it any faster/further.
I have to look at my manuals about velocities because as I recall I used to use IMR4350 in my previous 300WM.

 

[ShtrRdy]

In case you didn't get the memo...... ........ the so called "Satterlee test" doesn't always work. If you fired one cartridge at each powder charge then what you're seeing is just the variation in load parameters.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

In case you didn't get the memo...... ........ the so called "Satterlee test" doesn't always work. If you fired one cartridge at each powder charge then what you're seeing is just the variation in load parameters.

Hornady guys talk about it in this episode.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

In case you didn't get the memo...... ........ the so called "Satterlee test" doesn't always work. If you fired one cartridge at each powder charge then what you're seeing is just the variation in load parameters.

I fired 2 and took an average. But please explain furtherm

 

[Chase723]

In case you didn't get the memo...... ........ the so called "Satterlee test" doesn't always work. If you fired one cartridge at each powder charge then what you're seeing is just the variation in load parameters.

That's why you shoot it more than once to confirm. With custom barrels, it's worked every time I've used it and I've used it a lot. Is your personal experience with it different? Seems to routinely give me a load with an ES less than 20 that shoots ~0.1mils…which is good enough.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

I've used it developing a load for my 6.5CM and I consistently shoot 1/2 MOA.
I'm a firm believer in it now.

 

[ShtrRdy]

That's why you shoot it more than once to confirm. With custom barrels, it's worked every time I've used it and I've used it a lot. Is your personal experience with it different? Seems to routinely give me a load with an ES less than 20 that shoots ~0.1mils…which is good enough.

You must be a chosen one. I have not had good results trying it first and then refining the load. I'll find a load using an OCW approach and, occasionally,as a byproduct, notice that the velocity is quite stable too. But not always.

 

[Sdvldog1371]

That's why you shoot it more than once to confirm. With custom barrels, it's worked every time I've used it and I've used it a lot. Is your personal experience with it different? Seems to routinely give me a load with an ES less than 20 that shoots ~0.1mils…which is good enough.

An ES of 20 over how many consecutive shots over what kind of time frame? I ask not because I'm calling you into question...but because I'm genuinely curious how everyone else does their ES and SDs. I've seen people reporting an ES of like 4....then they show their garmin screenshot and its 2 shots, Lol. One of the guys at the range brags about how he got his below 10...but it is 3 shots...and a rarity at that. Then I know a guy who is angry for getting and ES of 44 but their 100 rd string has an SD of 7...

For the skeptics
I'm a nobody so take what I say as my opinion.

I personally see merit to the "Satterlee" method and use it on all my load development. It isn't a one and done like some guys believe it's made out to be.

It is meant for experienced handloaders who have their procedures dialed in. The whole premise is to get you to a decent load faster.
Instead of loading 30 or 50 rounds and having to find a relatively controlled environment where you can shoot at 500 or more yards. You instead employ your tried and true best reloading practices at 0.30 or 0.50 increments for 10 shots at or around what you know is a safe pressure for the powder and at a known good seating depth. Shoot those over a chronograph, check for pressure, look for 0.60-1.0 grains of difference where the velocity only goes up maybe 10-15fps. You load 3-5, 5 round groups in the middle of that charge range and 0.20 increments to either side. Test that, if you find a low ES over 5, repeat that to proof it.

It usually takes me about 12-23 rds to find and proof a seating depth with a moderate charge. There have been a number of times I got lucky and hit a ¼ or sub ¼ moa group within 5 shots, the whole test concluded in 8 shots.

Then I do the "Satterlee" method. 10 rounds, 80% of the time, it's 1 and done and onto the fine work. The other 20% I have to do it again. Then, usually, 21 rounds, 5 in the middle, 5 at 0.20 to either side, and 3 at 0.20 to either side of that. Then 10 at the lowest ES. So, for powder charge alone, it is about 40 rounds. I have found that the vast majority of the time, I don't need the 3 round groups.

It is by no means the only method one should use. It is not the definitive method. It is not even a method for the masses. It can get you really close with fewer shots, but if you don't know what you're doing, you can chase your tail pretty quickly.

 

[Chase723]

Typically 10-20 rounds. I usually do load confirmation at 500 yards. If it's shooting ~0.1mil 5 shot groups at 500 then I've found that the ES is usually less than 20 when shot over the Magneto.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

Thanks dog.. I've been handloading for close to 60 years now and this isn't my first rodeo with the Satterlee test method of load development.
I know it works. Too bad I won't be able to prove it until about the end of May.

 

[Chase723]

You must be a chosen one. I have not had good results trying it first and then refining the load. I'll find a load using an OCW approach and, occasionally,as a byproduct, notice that the velocity is quite stable too. But not always.

There's lots of us out there that have had consistently good results with it. However, others have not. Might not get you groups in the 0.1" range but seems to pretty easily get a lot of folks 0.1-0.2mils…which is fine.

 

[MagnumManiac]

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.