Best setup for load development

[jxb]

Looking at the prone pic you changed it up. A lot.

Not only are you running that stacked rear bag thing which can't be good for positional consistency as it looks like you're kinda lying on it while shooting? But you wrapped your can. That alone is enough to cause what you're seeing due to multiple factors.

I see at least five new variables: prone, two rear bags, wrapped can change in weight, change in heat or mirage due to that wrap, and you're likely loading your bipod completely different in prone vs bench.

I'd think for load development you'd want the most stable and consistently repeatable position. The point is to see the differences in the loads, not you, right?

As for the can, I'd test either with it wrapped or not and then try to keep your barrel and can temps in a consistent range. It's going to be harder to check the can with the wrap on and of course it's going to retain more heat longer.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I understand that logic, but aren't you testing the way you shoot more than your load/rifle that way?

I agree, I want to take the shooter out of the equation as much as possible and to do this I use the setup you see in my avatar with a trigger pull as light as possible.

 

[Homerange]

If I'm at a friends farm, I use a Caldwell Rock BR and rear bag. The bench is too short for my SEB mini-x. Otherwise, it will be prone at the range to verify loads at distance.

And you still make bugholes !

 

[0give]

Looking at the prone pic you changed it up. A lot.

Not only are you running that stacked rear bag thing which can't be good for positional consistency as it looks like you're kinda lying on it while shooting? But you wrapped your can. That alone is enough to cause what you're seeing due to multiple factors.

I see at least five new variables: prone, two rear bags, wrapped can change in weight, change in heat or mirage due to that wrap, and you're likely loading your bipod completely different in prone vs bench.

I'd think for load development you'd want the most stable and consistently repeatable position. The point is to see the differences in the loads, not you, right?

As for the can, I'd test either with it wrapped or not and then try to keep your barrel and can temps in a consistent range. It's going to be harder to check the can with the wrap on and of course it's going to retain more heat longer.

Can was wrapped during every shot. I take it off right after the string for cooling purposes.

 

[Dave M.]

Speaking strictly in terms of load development, I want to eliminate me, the shooter, as a variable as much as possible. My goal is to determine the load which will produce the most consistent groups for the standard I have established. For varmint / predator hunting, ideally that's 1/2 to 5/8 moa.

I found nothing better than the Caldwell tack driver front rest and an owl ear rear rest. The Caldwell front rest eliminates most lateral movement but also allows normal recoil. Once I find an acceptable load that has been confirmed with a few 5 shot groups, I move off the bench and sight in for the manner in which I intend to use the rifle which for me is shooting cross sticks. All my range time is spent in performance shooting off the sticks once I have an adequate load.

In other words, I keep load development a separate endeavor from performance shooting.

If you think the Caldwell tack driver is the most accurate front rest, I feel terribly sorry for you. I shot off that rest and I would give you $10 for it brand new. The most accurate rests I’ve shot off of to date are as follows:

1. Bald Eagle Big 50 with the Shadetree coaxial top
2. 21st century hybrid
3. SEB Neo

And I have a SEB Neo X on order so hopefully that is the new most accurate.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

How does everyone setup for load development? Any tips to share? (I shoot prone and positional stuff, so a seb type rest is not an option.). I want to eliminate me so results are an accurate reflection of rifle/load.

I ran a simple test today.

• On bench with bipod. (Next Best)
• On bench with bags. (Best)
• Prone with tripod. (Worst)

I feel more accurate prone, so results were a little surprising.

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Yeah different shooting positions can yield different accuracy results. Ensuring you eliminate all parallax from the scope is very important, but also proper body placement behind the rifle. Looking at the photos, the butt of the rifle is way too high for what I would personally consider a comfortable prone position and stacking separate bags on top of each other like that will always result in reduced accuracy.

 

[K22]

If you think the Caldwell tack driver is the most accurate front rest, I feel terribly sorry for you. I shot off that rest and I would give you $10 for it brand new. The most accurate rests I’ve shot off of to date are as follows:

1. Bald Eagle Big 50 with the Shadetree coaxial top
2. 21st century hybrid
3. SEB Neo

And I have a SEB Neo X on order so hopefully that is the new most accurate.

Sympathy appreciated. , but not necessary. I didn't claim it to be the "most accurate front rest", only the best I ever tried.

A local renown gun maker in my area uses this type of rest to certify all his custom rifles. He has a You Tube Video on it. Years ago, he influenced me to try it, I did, and I found it to be superior to my tripod front rest, especially for sporter weight rifles.

This front rest works extremely well for the limited amount of bench shooting that I do which involves load development which I do very little if any these days, for initial sight in of a new scope which I do even less of these days, and problem investigation to eliminate me, the shooter, as much as possible. 95%+ of my range shooting is off shooting cross sticks. I hate shooting off a bench. It has no practical application to my shooting discipline, but it is sometimes necessary for the aforementioned reasons.

 

[D-4297]

Being a TR Shooter ; I develop all my loads with the same equipment I will use in Competition . A ski-foot Bi-pod , and rear Bag . All shots are taken from the Prone position , and I try to space the shots about two minutes apart in order to keep Barrel Temp low . The old adage still applies . practice the way you play , and you'll play the way you practice . Disciplined practice creates solid results .