How far should I be shooting groups ?

[CZ550]

Hey fellas this is my first post here on this forum, I am looking for some advice on load development, group testing and all around practice, What distance do you guys think it is best to shoot groups and do load testing. I have been trying to do it at 375 yards (thats as far as I can go at the house). Would I be better off to test @ 100 because of shooter error. I can hold 1/2 or better MOA groups @ 150 yards but I am struggling out @ 375 I cant get five shots to group for nothing. I have plenty 1/4 to 1/2 Moa groups of 3 or 4 shots @ 375 but there is always one or two that get away from me.

 

[RonAKA]

If you are doing a ladder test or the OCW variation of that test, I would suggest going as long as your scope allows to still have a precise hold. The effect of velocity variation is magnified at distance, so it helps with the ladder test method.

 

[CZ550]

Lynn I am shooting a 6.5x47 off of a Sinclair front rest with Protektor rear bag. I am fairly new to shooting off of bench with rest I have done most of my shooting off of bipod and never really tried to shoot groups before, I mostly have shot steel @ long range, recently decided I wanted to get serious. Shooting steel plates @ long range is one thing, but trying to really dial in my groups has been a challenge.

 

[necchi]

200 till you gain some bench experiance and technique, then move out.
You can shoot at 100, but once you get the gun and load dialed in 100 get's boring pretty fast.

200 is far enough to see changes in a group, and close enough to develop confidence in your skills.

 

[fdshuster]

cz550: Agree with necchi. I start out at 100, and with a very few shots usually get a good indication if a load is worth pursueing. Then it's out to 200 & if the load continues to show promise, 300 follows, with the majority of "work" being done there. Wind becomes more of a factor at 300 so until you've proven a load try for calm conditions ( I like very early in the am at first light). Once you have confidence in a load, then learn to shoot in the wind, and wind flags are very important-- gotta use them, they do make a difference. Keep really good records. I have dedicated "log" books for each rifle.

 

[CZ550]

Thanks guys gonna back up to 200.

 

[Moderator]

Remember the "Rule of the square" -- the effect of the wind is roughly equal to the square of the distance. So... at 200 yards your wind drift is going to be about FOUR times what it is at 100 yards. Generally, when developing a load I start at 100 or even 50 yards -- goal is to eliminate wind variables initially. If the load can print 1 ragged hole at 100 yards, then I go out to 200 and 300. If it's printing 0.7" at 100 it's not going to get miraculously better at 200.

Despite some reloading myths, shots heading out of the group center at 100 don't miraculously fly back into the group at 200 very often.

 

[deadlyswift]

What the other guy's are telling you are exactly right. If you want to work up loads shooting 5 shot groups. I will agree with them 100%.

I'll post the link below. If you want to come up with a load quick with less rounds fired I will suggest you try this ladder test. It works and it works well. Again what almost everyone is telling you above is right for workin up loads that way. How ever you know the old saying there are more than one way to skin a cat.


http://www.6mmbr.com/laddertest.html

I'm not trying to tell you that all the other's are wrong and what they are telling you isn't right, because I would be lying. One of the post made is by a member that I look to for advice a lot myself!!

So with that said. This test is for a 1000yrd ladder but it will work at closer ranges as well. I suggest 300yrd min. The further you go out the better! The vertical is more visible at longer ranges.

I took a factory rifle and was doing just what you are doing now. After 153 rounds I was at my witz end. Made a post about what I was dealing with, and a cpl of guy's suggested I do a ladder test. Done a search and this is the article I followed to the tee almost. I done everything the same just at 300yrds. I found a load that really worked well in just 63 rounds. Thats half of what I already had down the tube. To date I have 634 rounds down the tube and with the same load that I found in my ladder test it is producing .5moa at 400yrds.

I hope this helps out some. The article sure did help me! Good luck and enjoy it either way you go. One thing is for sure if you ever stop learning you are already dead in the water!
Mark

 

[hopefullbencher]

If you are doing a ladder test or the OCW variation of that test, I would suggest going as long as your scope allows to still have a precise hold. The effect of velocity variation is magnified at distance, so it helps with the ladder test method.

And so are shooter mistakes

 

[RonAKA]

If you are doing a ladder test or the OCW variation of that test, I would suggest going as long as your scope allows to still have a precise hold. The effect of velocity variation is magnified at distance, so it helps with the ladder test method.

And so are shooter mistakes

I think shooter aim error tends to be linear, or a constant MOA effect. However, the effect of velocity differences on vertical drop is not linear with distance. So, shooting further helps to see those changes. The down side is wind, but you ignore horizontal in any case, and it becomes harder and harder to see the bullet holes depending on what you have for a scope or spotting scope. You really need to identify where every shot goes and track it on a piece of paper at the bench.

I was very skeptical about ladder tests, but now I have done a couple at 200 meters, I'm starting to be converted...