600yd ladder test at CMP, good or bad idea?

[eric32]

SO i am about to start my load development for my new barrel soon, and i am trying to figure out if doing a ladder test on the electronic targets at the CMP range in Alabama is worth the 2hr drive.

From various reads and the poor outcome from the F-class matches that were held there. The targets seems to misrepresent shots and not register some. I was also wonder the accuracy of the shot placement of the system. If that accuracy would translate to a successful ladder test.

If you have any first hand experience with them please share.

 

[David247]

My first thought is that a 600 yard ladder test may be misleading because of external factors that could effect shot placement other than what is going on in the barrel before the bullet clears the crown.

 

[eric32]

that is the nicest way of saying "You cant shoot" that I have ever heard. I am not even mad about it.

 

[noload]

I think he meant 600yards of bad weather....

 

[eric32]

if we arent shooting in bad weather, we might as well be playing cricket.


follow up question: Does anyne have compaints of the accuracy to which the systems plot shots?

 

[David247]

that is the nicest way of saying "You cant shoot" that I have ever heard. I am not even mad about it.

Heck no!!! I was only thinking of how the conditions could effect the bullet over 600 yards verses say 100. I would never accuse anyone of not being able to shoot well other than me... and maybe a close friend and that would only be because I like him and just wanted to get him a little worked up.

Seriously though, I would like to try it myself at both distances to see if they would match up. If they did I would feel more confident that I was doing my part. But that's just me. I doubt that I have near as much experience as most on this site. Please don't think that I was referring to your ability.

 

[shoot4fun]

Eric I think your idea of using the electronic targets is sound but don't think anyone can get a solid ladder test result at 600 yards unless conditions are absolutely perfect. I do mine at 300 with a Caldwell Target Camera to help plot the shots. A good friend of mine shoots F-Class at CMP and takes a ride up there pretty regular just to shoot. He has never complained about the system not capturing his shots. I may be all wrong but I thought they replaced the original system after the big fiasco back earlier in the year.

 

[eric32]

David 247,

i was just messing with you, i know what you meant by the reponse. i am just curious to know the accuracy of the shot placement the system has. i will be doing them both at 300 and 600 sonce the ranged are next to one another.

Shoot4fun,

my concern was that as well, i read about the big issues they had for a major fclass match. if you can reach out to you friend and ask. him about the tarfet syatem accuracy that would be awesome.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

The overwhelming majority of the etarget problems are related to the simultaneous load and configuration during matches.

Also, one missed shot in load testing is not a big deal. One dropped shot in a match IS a big deal.

We've giving the CMP a year or two to prove they have their problems worked out during matches. But for practice and load testing, the electronic targets are great.

The one time we thought a target was faulty in practice/load development, we asked to move to the next target over. No problems. Sweetest set up ever for load testing and practice. Highly recommended.

Too windy at 600 yards. No problem, have them raise the 300 yard target.

 

[eric32]

if that's the case I can use the 300 yard home range here it will just take more time

 

[Zero333]

I use reactive targets at 328 yards (300 meters) and a spare dummy (my brother) watching the action through a descent spotting scope plotting the shots on a mini target resembling the big one.

I also prefer shooting 2 or more ladders to correlate the results.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I vote for 300yds max. Drop at 600 with a 100yd zero might need a 20 foot tall test paper.