Load Development

[Predator]

HI,
I have a Dakota Predator .221 Fireball and I would like to learn more about load development. I reload and have found some combinations that seem to work pretty well however I don't feel that I am developing loads in a logical manner and I can't
find any information about it in my reloading manuals.
My wife and I shoot it at the 100 yard range at our gun club and at best we will get 10 shots under a nickel. Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[jo191145]

"IF" your gunclub has a 200yd range and you have a scope capable of seeing your hits clearly at that range google
Audette Ladder test.

You need not even understand it all you just need to try it.

 

[kelbro]

And a similar/derivative method that has been good for me is the Optimum Charge Weight method by Dan Newberry.

 

[LHSmith]

Are you using wind flags?
Shooting for small groups without them is a waste of time and money....and any load development is meaningless.

 

[tiny68]

The "ladder methood" or "incremental load deveopment method" is the only thing I used now. I set the bullet 0.010" off the land,if reachable) and shoot a ladder at 300 yds with wind flags,the 300 yd distance and wind flags are both necessary for me). I feel that a ladder of 10 shots to find the optimum charge and then 3 or 4 groups of 3 at various seating depths and I pretty much have that bullet/powder combo down. I don't know any other way to do it with 20 or less rounds fired.

Luck, tiny