Favorite Target Style - Load Development

[lazyMlazyK]

A thought just popped into my head as I'm planning on working on a little load development Saturday morning at the range. I'll be shooting 30 rounds, split into two 15 round groups. Group one is loaded with 40.6gr H4350, and every five rounds vary in seating depth by 0.003". Group two is loaded with 40.9gr H4350, and every five rounds vary in seating depth by 0.003" as well.

The wind forcast is favorable, with only about a 10mph east wind. Will be shooting from north to south, so I'll plan on getting to the range early, maybe before the wind picks up.

I plan on using a target I came up with awhile ago, just to keep things simple and organised. Got to thinking, maybe there's a better target I could use, for reasons not known to me yet? What are others using for a target in this step in finding a load?


Maybe it isn't that big of a deal, as long as you keep it on the target......haha I do have a tendency to over-think things, big time.

 

[Bc'z]

Shoot 3 round groups instead of 5.
This will show you more information covering 5 seating depths versus 3.
If the 1st 2 shots st a given depth ain't touching no sense in shooting the 3rd because it ain't gonna get any better.

 

[F-CLassInfo]

Shoot 3 round groups instead of 5.
This will show you more information covering 5 seating depths versus 3.
If the 1st 2 shots st a given depth ain't touching no sense in shooting the 3rd because it ain't gonna get any better.

This is such a simple concept most don’t get.

 

[mike711]

I kinda like these targets (first one pictured). They are available on the main site for printing as you need.

You are being redirected...

 

[Bc'z]

This is such a simple concept most don’t get.

Personally I would have loaded 1 charge weight, not 2.
Charge can be re-evaluated after seating node is confirmed.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I like a row of dots, marked under each the charge(I work charge before seating) the writing such that I can read it thru the scope.

 

[6BRA]

Because the crosshairs get lost....I have purchased numerous different types. I just ordered these with a .25 inch center diamond. These shouldnt let the xhairs get lost. Cant wait to try. And very inexpensive.

 

[Bc'z]

Because the crosshairs get lost....I have purchased numerous different types. I just ordered these with a .25 inch center diamond. These shouldnt let the xhairs get lost. Cant wait to try. And very inexpensive.

3 clicks up and 3 right will save your aiming point

 

[Hino895]

47mike where did you get them at?

 

[6BRA]

www.outdoorproductsplus.com

small format targets

If you order 5 packs of 25 sheets. You get them for like 4 bucks for a pack. You cant print them for this price.

 

[6BRA]

3 clicks up and 3 right will save your aiming point

not about saving...about xhairs getting lost to me.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

Shoot 3 round groups instead of 5.
This will show you more information covering 5 seating depths versus 3.
If the 1st 2 shots st a given depth ain't touching no sense in shooting the 3rd because it ain't gonna get any better.

If I get any shots touching at 300 yards I'll be amazed and settled on that load! *I'm not the best marksman out there, just trying to learn and get better.

@Bc'z - Is your load development more about seating depth first, rather than charge weight first? I'd like to hear more about this, if that's the case. Having a hard time wrapping my head around it, but I'm open minded to other ways of skinning the cat!

 

[Hino895]

Thank you sir just ordered some

 

[K22]

Because the crosshairs get lost....I have purchased numerous different types. I just ordered these with a .25 inch center diamond. These shouldnt let the xhairs get lost. Cant wait to try. And very inexpensive.

x47Mike makes an excellent point - I personally like the orange dots which show a vivid contrast between the target area and the scope reticle. I purchase those Birdwood Casey orange target dots, paste one in the center of a white piece of computer paper which has I" grid lines drawn via Power Point.

Simple, effective, lost cost and easy to make sight corrections with the grid lines.

 

[Mark W]

www.outdoorproductsplus.com

small format targets

If you order 5 packs of 25 sheets. You get them for like 4 bucks for a pack. You cant print them for this price.

I like that! How is the paper? Is it nice and thick like card stock or thin and flimsy?

 

[6BRA]

I can let you know on Saturday. Fine reticle competition gets lost easy. I have 10 different style targets, always looking for something new. I saw these the other day and, it may be the neatest design I have seen. Mine arrive on Saturday. They appear to be slightly heavier stock paper though. At $4.00 bucks for 25 sheets, I dont know how you could go wrong.

 

[Bc'z]

If I get any shots touching at 300 yards I'll be amazed and settled on that load! *I'm not the best marksman out there, just trying to learn and get better.

@Bc'z - Is your load development more about seating depth first, rather than charge weight first? I'd like to hear more about this, if that's the case. Having a hard time wrapping my head around it, but I'm open minded to other ways of skinning the cat!

I shoot charge weight 1st, this target was shot at 100yards 3 shots per charge 123gr Amax set at touch. Pure shit house luck on the 45gr charge of RL19. I'm looking for horizontal poi, 45.3 measured @.22" C.T.C. 45gr was .098", I chose the 45gr to compensate for temp increases knowing ill have a lil wiggle room, and any increase in charge weight would be compressed leaving no room for seating any deeper in case. This load shot .5" group @300 yesterday and under 2" @ 600.
Normally after determining charge weight I'll run seating depth test off charge weight test.
3 shots per target in same format moving bullet deeper in .003 increments. You can see how seating depth tune repeats itself. I loaded on front side 2.2460 on this particular load.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

Wow, that's some GREAT shooting, in my book! Care to share any info about the rifle used?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://therodzilla.com/product/load-development-targets/
Here’s another target option from a forum member. I got these last week and they are printed on nice heavy paper.

 

[Bc'z]

Wow, that's some GREAT shooting, in my book! Care to share any info about the rifle used?

Thank you
Ruger American Predator slightly modified by @WSMNUT. Lol
28" Hawk Hill 1n8 HV, Timney trigger, bedded in a Boyds Pro Varmint.
Sightron Slll 10x50