What to look for in long range load developement?

[DaveMarine1]

Getting into the long range game and doing some loading with the .308 for FTR. Shooting the 185 hybrids. Shot at 500 yds the other day. I didnt adjust for wind as there was none at all but then it picked up on the last four shots. Atleast I know now what a 5-8 mph wind will do at that range. Even with the wind though, the grouping was good I though. I shot 2.5" of verticle which is 1/2MOA verticle at 500 yds. I feel that this is good.
I was using brand new Lapua brass. What should I all be looking for with long range load development? Thanks in advance.

 

[Quickoz]

A load that shoots as flat as can be. The least amount of vertical possible. I would say height of X-Ring or less. Less is better.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

If we're talking about long range F-TR, then your load must be tailored for 1000 yard. You do not design a load for minimal vertical; that's a product of loading technique (which includes component selection) and marksmanship.

What you design a load for is an expected terminal velocity, the speed of the bullet at 1000 yards. My minimum requirement is for my bullet to be above Mach 1.25 at 1000 yard at the coldest temperatures and lowest elevation when and where I would ever compete. Then I work backwards from there to figure out the minimum muzzle velocity my chosen bullet must have and I look for an accuracy node above that.

 

[savageshooter86]

Denys that is good but when you work on accuracy node above that required minimum velocity you don't tune for least amount of vertical?

I tune a load for the least amount of vertical at the distance I will shoot. The accuracy node I found the other day has less than 0.200" vertical between the 3 loads at 600 yrds. Now I have to do some minor tweaking to the load to verify and lock in the load. How it will shoot on target for FTR now will be my condition reading skills

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

One does not preclude the other, however, the OP was asking what to look for in LR load development. I first start with finding a node above my required minimum MV and then I tune it from there.

You can have a load that eliminates all vertical, but if it's not going fast enough, who cares?

I did write another thread where I discuss holding the (water) line at LR. My latest check at 1000 yards after the last shot of a match showed eleven bullets having a vertical on target under 0.58 MOA and nine of the bullets were under .40 MOA. I think my .308 Winchester load and rifle are decent enough and I have since added an extra step in my handloading technique to address that extra 0.18 MOA. Or at least to eliminate that in my consciousness.

So, first get the bullet going as fast as you can accurately and then tune the vertical from there.

 

[savageshooter86]

So, first get the bullet going as fast as you can accurately and then tune the vertical from there.

That is what I thought you were saying just making sure

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Another aspect is the meplat of the bullets. If the meplats are ragged, they should be uniformed.

 

[DaveMarine1]

Thanks for the information guys. According to the ballistics program, the 185 is going 1500fps at 1000yds so bullet stability seems to be good. After reading the posts, I can adjust powder charge slightly and perhaps seating depth slightly from my initial setting and see what I lose and what I gain. I like the idea of the meplats. I forgot all about that. The main goal...as of now...is the be on the "waterline" at 1000. The 10 ring is ten inches on a F-TR targer and the X ring five inches if I remember right so as long as there is no more that 5 inches verticle at 1000, one should be good to go in theory, and do minor adjustments to look for benefits.

 

[gsg5pk]

Load for long range, I would pay attention with ES.


For my competition @ 800 yards, ES and SD should be within 10.

 

[searcher]

While this may be assumed, I'd want to measure your powder charges out very carefully and weigh your bullets. At that range, lack of uniformity will kill you.
SEMPER FI