Questions on load development at 100yd for Long Range?

[Ned Ludd]

I load for F-Class (F-TR), where it is worth noting that both the precision requirements and match formats are different from BR.

1) 1st and foremost - a load that is minimally sensitive to velocity excursions, after that is achieved, the best precision possible is tuned, typically using seating depth.

2) I have yet to fail to achieve both minimal velocity excursions and precision that is solely limited to my skill set (rather than the rifle/load) with any load when carrying out load development at 100 yd.

3) Although I will always confirm a load at 300 and/or 600 yd by shooting 20-shot practice rounds at match cadence, I also have yet to find a load that was properly tuned at 100 yd fail to deliver at longer distances. It's also worth noting that loads developed in this manner in my hands have never been the limiting factor in competition. They go exactly where I point the gun based on the exact wind condition at the moment I pull the trigger. At 600 yd, a 1 mph wind change is enough to put any F-TR load out of the X-ring if holding center-X, a 2mph change is often enough to cost you a point. Unless it's very nearly calm, the wind will almost always be the limiting factor if the load has been properly developed.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Any updated thoughts here?

 

[seymour fish]

Any updated thoughts here?

Thoughts from a piker: ladders at 100 to find powder with widest node and decent MV. Take the center of the node straight to 1000 and run 3-shot ladders at fine increments. Take best group and shape it with seating depth.

 

[JimSC]

My testing evolved to shooting 20 rounds for a rough seating test ( .075, .050, .025, and 0.0 from lands) shot at 100. The next session I shoot 30 seated at the best of the four depths over the chrono for velocity consistency, 10 200, 300. I am more interested in looking for flat spots with low SD's at that point. Then I do the fine tuning on the seating depth at 300 or 600 on a calm day with little mirage. I try to do my testing early for the best conditions

 

[JFrank]

Any updated thoughts here?

I have a couple of thoughts.
As a Novice I struggle with the variables that come with long range tuning.
I'm comfortable with a 200 yard ladder to find a node then confirm at 300
Move out to long range for seating
as a fine adjustment. at my range it's 550 yards
This is where the variables come into play amplifying any errors and skewing results.
1- wind
2- table manners
3- mirage
4- brass prep
When in doubt I will reconfirm seating at 300
I will also test primers at 300 and 550
When I feel as though I've over tweaked or past a node I fall back and run a short ladder to check my work.
I'm not sure if this is the best way it just works me for at this time in my journey.