Trying to figure out a load by a kind of a ladder test

[Joe-boy]

Hi all, I went to the range yesterday to shoot some tests with my .30-06 using 150gr TTSX. I think I have an idea where to start looking for the accuracy node, but wanted to share the results and see if someone has any additional ideas or comments. I'm looking for something that could be used for white tail deer up to 400 meters or so.

I loaded 18 cartridges using 11 different loads at 0,5 grain interval, all the way from the min to the max of the chart I'm using, with about 1,3 mm jump or so. Four lowest charges only had one cartridge, the rest had two. Load #1 had the least powder, load 11 was actually slightly above chart max. No pressure signs I could find. The rifle was zeroed for another cartridge.

I know I'm not the best shooter out there, so there's always a possibility of a flyer or similar.

In the chart below, the similar loads are connected with a line and each color represents one load.

Well, why keep a secret. I think I'll continue experimenting with load #8. Two bullet holes were practically a single hole, and #7 and #9 were pretty close as well. Six shots (2x#7, 2x#8 and 2x#9) had a horizontal spread of 29 mm and vertical spread of 46 mm. I think I'll load that and try to change the seating depth (if needed) and then load about 100 pcs of those and try to be happy and avoid fiddling any more

 

[Dmagna]

I am assuming you have no chrono? In that case I would do a 5 round OCW test of your loads and see what one groups the best then do a seating depth test and go with the one with the smallest group. Then test at 100-400.

 

[Joe-boy]

I do have a chrono, I just bought one, but unfortunately only got the figures for the two first rounds before it apparently was too dark for the **** thing to work

5 rounds each charge, you mean? Which charges are you proposing? If I'd shoot a 5 shot group for each 11 charges, that would be 55 cartridges which I think is a lot of bullets, powder and time. And after choosing the best charge, trying maybe four different COALs and 5 shots of each would be again 20 more. Might be I'm just being lazy and tight-fisted

 

[lancetkenyon]

Would be SO much easier if you just post the target with shots numbered.

How far were you shooting? If you were not shooting at least 300 yards (400-600 even better), had to glean any information from a ladder test.

 

[Dmagna]

I do have a chrono, I just bought one, but unfortunately only got the figures for the two first rounds before it apparently was too dark for the **** thing to work

5 rounds each charge, you mean? Which charges are you proposing? If I'd shoot a 5 shot group for each 11 charges, that would be 55 cartridges which I think is a lot of bullets, powder and time. And after choosing the best charge, trying maybe four different COALs and 5 shots of each would be again 20 more. Might be I'm just being lazy and tight-fisted

Well pick the groups you want to shoot 5 of, this stuff you posted really isn't helping.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Good luck with your technique.

 

[rsmithsr]

no you have it right. a great way to waste time, money and bbl life. stick with single shot ladder( without all the charts and graphs). just log and label each bullet hole, compare every 2/3 shot combination on the target, looking for small elevation changes.

5 rounds each charge, you mean? Which charges are you proposing? If I'd shoot a 5 shot group for each 11 charges, that would be 55 cartridges which I think is a lot of bullets, powder and time. And after choosing the best charge, trying maybe four different COALs and 5 shots of each would be again 20 more. Might be I'm just being lazy and tight-fisted

 

[6.5-300 BEE]

Deer vital area 12"
30-06 @ 500, 5" group easy
Barnes sez this most accurate *H4895 48.5 2822 51.0 2975
Seat 50 thou off lands. Not good enuf ? Seat DEEPER.

My 1937 M70 shoots 50 gr 3 shot groups in 1.3". Shoots better, 1" , with the 168 TTSX over 49 gr 4064.

These are expensive bullets. Git er dun !

 

[Joe-boy]

Thanks for the comments. These were shot at 150 meters. I shot each one to a different target, so there is no single target I could post. I must admit that is a bit of a PITA to read, so could have just drawn them on the paper and posted that although it's not that accurate.

Unfortunately the limitations are:
- The 300 meter range is closed due to corona virus and the next one is too far
- The chrono refused to work at the time when I was at the range.

I would love to change that but couldn't help it.

I loaded the #8 (60,5 grains of N160) which seemed promising, 3x5 shots at different COALs and I'll shoot them and see what I get. Maybe not the way I would do it if I had waaay more time and a longer range, but probably will get me where I need to be.

 

[25WSM]

I had no problem with your charts. It's sort of what my ladder target looks like when I'm done anyway. I just shoot them all on the same paper and same bull to make it easy. Your on the right track with the powder charge. When I do seating test I do 2 shot seatings at 100 yards. I only do 2 over a wider range of depths. You will see a pattern of holes close together and then getting farther apart and getting closer again. When I find several seating depths that are tight I will do bigger strings in that zone. I only do the 2 shot test to find the seating tollerant zone. Saves time and ammo and can cover a large seating area quickly.
Shep

 

[Joe-boy]

I think this had a happy ending. I loaded 15 pcs of charge #8, at three different seating depths 5 each, and shot it through a chrono at 150 meters. The best grouping seating depth was the longest one, about 0,50" off the lands. 5 shots at 150 meters grouped exactly 1" which is very adequate for my purposes, and the velocities were (converted from meters to fps) 2910, 2901, 2909, 2902 and 2860. The last one puzzled me a bit, but at the distances where I'll be shooting this won't be an issue and a group of 0,57 MOA will serve an average shooter well even if the velocity spread could be smaller. This will definitely hammer deer in couple of months.

Thanks for the comments, folks, very much appreciated!

 

[25WSM]

Always mark the brass that shot off in speed and load it again and if it is still slow cull it. I use those for foulers. They have a black case head because I sharpie them. Several things could account for the velocity loss. A lightly seated primer. Powder weight off. Less neck tension. Or the case has more capacity. By shooting it again you can make sure it's the brass and not something you did.

Shep

 

[6.5-300 BEE]

That why the smart old farts who shot single shot match rifles waaaay back when, breech seated their bullets and used the same case over and over.