Powder charge test

[bench]

For my 223 FTR with 90gr VLD
After barrel break in I have always shot at 100yds while doing my powder charge test.I plan on stepping up from 23.3 of H4895 to 23.4, 23.5 till I get to 24.4 if no pressure signs develop.
But my question is should I do my load development at a 100yrds or move right to 300 or more yards for the first test.

 

[ShootDots]

If you have a very accurate barrel and know how to shoot it at a competitive level, 100 yards in my opinion is laughable. WHY? It is difficult to tell what your load is doing when it is an enlarged hole! How can you decipher what may or may NOT be a problem? Go to 300 yards. I have used these parameters and have been successful with them: I develop loads at 300 yards and will not give up on a barrel or cartridge unless it does not meet this criteria>>> if you shoot about 10-15 FIVE shot groups at 300 yards (after you believe you have a good load) and they "basically" fall into .75" to 1.125" CONSISTENTLY, you have a GREAT load. From time to time that load may open up to 1.250 or even go down under .500 but it will almost always hover very close to 1 inch! If you get a load like that, for F-Class (T/R or Open) you have what it takes to not only win, BUT set national records! You can easily see flaws in your load(s) at 300 but if you have a a good load, in a good barrel, being shot by a good shooter, you can't tell anything at 100 yards! This has been my experience for a LONG time!

 

[T-shooter]

For my 223 FTR with 90gr VLD
After barrel break in I have always shot at 100yds while doing my powder charge test.I plan on stepping up from 23.3 of H4895 to 23.4, 23.5 till I get to 24.4 if no pressure signs develop.
But my question is should I do my load development at a 100yrds or move right to 300 or more yards for the first test.

Proceed with caution. Sneak up on your maximum loads very slowly. When you get to about 95%, go 1/10 grain at a time and fire maybe 3 shots each. I've ran many loads well in excess of the published figures but occasionally you will run into problems, maybe the jump, maybe the exact brass you are using. For instance I was working up a load of IMR4064 with a 168 grain bullet in a .308. The printed maximum was 45.9 grains. I shot 44.5g without any problems and moved up to a 45.0g load figuring I had some room to go. Later I found all 5 of my 44.5g cases had small ejector marks an the 45.0g was way over. It was considerably louder, kicked probably 25% harder. The bolt stuck and I had a large ejector mark. The case had expanded to the point a new primer would just fall out. That was an eye opener!

 

[Zero333]

If it's a calm day, 300 yards is a good idea.

If wind is moderate but stable, 200 yards is good.

I have no experience with the load your testing, but 24 gr of H-4895 under the 90vld sounds a little high.