Ladder test/grouping test all in one?

[Hondo64d]

What did you pick? 6 or 7??

I tried a load right between 6 and 7. It shot horribly. Definitely more testing to be done...

John

 

[Jet]

To the OP, not trying to hijack your thread just add to the discussion

Hondo: What are your powder charge weight increments? .3 gr or larger?

Have you tested a lower charge weight than used for #s 1 and 2?

Can you safely go higher than #7? If so you may find your groups flattening out with a little more powder.

Good Shooting.

Rich

I kinda combined a ladder and OCW at 500 yards.

John

I kinda combined a ladder and OCW at 500 yards.

John

 

[Hondo64d]

To the OP, not trying to hijack your thread just add to the discussion

Hondo: What are your powder charge weight increments? .3 gr or larger?

Have you tested a lower charge weight than used for #s 1 and 2?

Can you safely go higher than #7? If so you may find your groups flattening out with a little more powder.

Good Shooting.

Rich

Used .4gr increments in the ladder/OCW test thinking I was looking for a broad node. I did not try a lower charge than Load 1 because then I would be shooting a .223, not a 22-250. I wouldn't want to go higher than load 7. Bolt lift was pretty stiff when extracting those.

John

 

[jlow]

There is a reason why an OCW is meant to be shot at 100 yards i.e. it reduces the chance that wind can confound the results (both windage and elevation). I would suggests shooting a straight ladder if you are going to shoot at that range.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I agree with shooting the different loads on separate targets or points of aim. The only difference is that I do shoot 2 5 shot groups of each load at both 100 and 300 yards. I just feel that for a real scientific experiment you need more to compare to in order to weed out exceptions to the rule. What if you just don't shoot as well with the best load of the bunch? You end up passing it by. With 2 five shot groups at each 2 distances it gives you 4 examples of a single load. I have personally found that if I hadn't done it that way I may have gone with a different load based on just 1 group. At the bare minimum I would still shoot the 3 rounds per load at both 100 and 300. That way at least you have some way to cross examine the results. If the same load prevails at both 100 and 300 you know youre good. But if different loads win at different ranges you will wish you had done 2 groups at each distance to compare. I realize this is overboard to most but I personally wouldn't be able to sleep at night unless I do so I really have no choice. In the past I have even done 10 shot groups at 300 yards with each load to compare. Usually shows the same overall result but it is always interesting to see it more pronounced. good luck

 

[dryhumor]

I shot this one today out of my M70 .260 with the 143gr Hornady ELD-X bullets. One fouler prior to testing, 10 minutes between shots, clean bore before fouler. 160 yards.

 

[SHootSTraight22]

I shot this one today out of my M70 .260 with the 143gr Hornady ELD-X bullets. One fouler prior to testing, 10 minutes between shots, clean bore before fouler. 160 yards.
I don't know about your barrel but mine requires up to 10 fouling rounds to settle groups.. You may want to make sure your groups aren't still walking after just 1 fouling shot..

 

[dryhumor]

I don't know about your barrel but mine requires up to 10 fouling rounds to settle groups.. You may want to make sure your groups aren't still walking after just 1 fouling shot..

Thanks SHootSTraight22.

This is a hunting rifle (Lilja barrel). I've found it settles after maybe 2-3 rounds. Shots (on paper) 1 and 2 were rounds 2 and 3 (lowest charges). I want to know what it shoots from a (fairly) clean bore.

I actually have enough once fired batched, that I will either repeat the ladder or shoot groups.