Insight on first ladder test

[K redden]

This was my first ladder test, just want to see if it looks correct to what others have experienced.
Specs. 6 dasher. Cci 450. Varget from 31 grains going up to 34 grains in .3 increments. Berger 105 hunting jammed .020. Test done at 400 yds. No adjustment for varying winds. Shot off bipod. 70 deg out, I usually shoot between 60 and 90 deg. Thanks for any info K Redden

 

[savageshooter86]

Sure looks like 9-11 is your charge window

 

[K redden]

What about 5-9 is that look fairly normal or some shooter error. I felt good on the shoots. I know I need to repeat this test, but how's it looking so far. Thanks again for comments ,Good or Bad works for me as I can always improve in anything

 

[Patch700]

Would have to agree that 9-11 are very reasonable.... 8 appears to be a bit of a boogey man .

Were you maxed out on pressure signs?

 

[gaboon]

I would shorten the distances and shoot 3 shots groups at different powder charges.

 

[mr45man]

Shoot a 5 shot group each with charge # 5
and #9. I think you will be there.
John H.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I think we use ladders in reverse. I have had much better experiance with them if you already know about where your node is. Go to 200 or 300 yards, load 3 shot groups in .2 increments. That will give you a very good idea of where the node is. Now say the node is about 30 grains. load 3 at 29.8 30 and 30.2. Fire that 9 shot group as a ladder at long range, round robin. Color the bullet so you know which ones they are. That ladder where tell you exactly where the middle of the node is, and what happens on either side of the node. Once you have pin pointed it, go back and do it again in .1 increments.
I think regular ladders are far too course. Most nodes are only .2 wide so how would you expect to find that with a ladder?

 

[K redden]

Malibu,thanks for the info. I knew what the gun used to like(33.3 grains ,then had it throated a little longer. That's when I decided to try to learn how to do ladder tests,one to keep the gun shooting, and two for personal knowledge for future guns. Sure to try 9 10 11 and 5 for groups. Your thoughts on the ladder are just what I was needing to find out what the node was doing and seem to be great advise. I am trying to get this gun to perform optimal at 600 to 1000 yds so any other advise for that is great.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

After you get the powder pin pointed, do the same with seating. Once you get close, load a ladder around it .002 increments. I always load my ladders with 3 shot of each load.
I prefer jumping. You may find you jump node as well and shoot it against your jam load to see what one aggs best.
Don't assume your best load at 600 will be your best at 1000.

 

[22BRGUY]

Agree with everything said. After adjusting and testing seating depth, I like to then go back and play a little again with load in .1 increments to "fine tune" again.
Best Wishes

 

[Lapua40X]

What about 5-9 is that look fairly normal or some shooter error.

Unless 6 is shooter error, 5-7 doesn't look promising to my eye.
I'd work in the 9-11 range with .2 grains increments and five shot groups to see how those compare to this target.

 

[Judd]

That one is a no brainer 9-11 is your node.

Now, I would probably load .1 on each side of 10 and see if I couldn't get one of them to shoot. The reason I say this is I like to be close to the middle so then I can error on one side or the other and still should be in the node. Then mess with seating depth. Then I'll sometimes try different neck tensions if I'm not satisfied. Don't discount trying a different primer either. My dasher liked 205m better than 450's & BR4's.

Looks good.

 

[K redden]

Thanks Guys for all the helpful info K Redden