100 yards good enough for working up a load?

[jimbo88mm]

I am currently working up loads for my 243 at 100 yards. The range I go to goes out to 300 yards. I just found out that a 1000 yard range will be opening nearby soon.

While I don't have any expectations to start shooting at 1000 yards right away I am interested in moving up to 300 and further. Would it be better to work up a load at 200/300 yards or is 100 far enough?

 

[fdshuster]

jimbo: Yes, for me, a new load must pass muster at 100 yd. before taking it out further. Going out to 2 & 300 will introduce a wind and maybe mirage factor, so the true results may be more difficult to arrive at. But, when proven to meet accuracy expectations, I seldom fool around with a load (or rifle) at 100 yards. After that initial testing all firing is at 200+.

 

[camac]

I too work up my intial loads at 100 for same reasons as Frank. I find with a Chrony you can achieve nearly everything you need to at 100. Some loads shoot very well at 100 but still have a big spread of velocities and can spread vertically as you get further out. With a chrony and looking closely at ES most information can be gathered. Nothing beats racing out on a dead calm day and punching some down long range for final testing and confidence though.

 

[jimbo88mm]

Sounds good. Thanks for the feedback guys. I was just a little worried about the whole "BT bullets don't stabilize under 100 yards" bit.

 

[camac]

Jimbo, That seems to be one of the touchier subjects around - More than some swear by it. I have not seen any evidence myself and groups at 100 seem to always (for me) give a good indication of what is going on. Normally there are a few guys saying otherwise and have seen some odd things happening I don't discount it but I also don't understand it.