Load changes as distance increases?

[thefitter]

I frequently hear that a 1/4 MOA load at 100 yards is not always a 1/4 MOA load at 500-1000 yards. Are there any consistent patterns to load changes as distance increases? Or is it just trial and error like finding the 100 yard load?

Thanks

 

[K22]

In theory the MOA is constant but in the real world, as the distance increases the affects of wind, air density, mirage, shooter error, etc. are magnified thus adversely affecting group size. A skilled shooter can learn to minimize these affects and I've seen some really amazing groups fired (no by me) at 400 and 500 yards.

If you're interested in long range shooting I recommend that you check out the Sinclair International Catalog. They have several very good books on the subject written by experts in the field. www.sinclairintl.com

 

[MrMajestic]

What he said.
The more knowledge you gain the more you will think your flying an airplane instead of shooting! You will also be awe struck by the probability of shooting those tiny groups at long distances like some do with all the odds stacked against you!

 

[fullersson]

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

This link is for long range load development. Maybe it will help you out. In my opinion there's a lot of difference in load development for short range vs. load development for long range. Brian Brown.

 

[bigedp51]

Some of you might find this interesting, below is the testing of Enfield No.4 7.62x51 center bedded rifles used in competition in Canada and Bisley England. The diffrent bedding forces or the amount of up pressure on the barrel controlled how accurate a rifle would be from 100 to 1,000 yards.
(meaning the MOA could be better at 800 yards and 100 yard goups could be larger)

The Canadian Marksman (Bedding the 7.62mm No.4 Rifle) 1965

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=867