Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

[timelinex]

What size paper are you guys using for your 1000 yard ladder test?

I'm planning on working up a load for my 338lm, and I'm planning on using a 25" by 35" piece of cardboard. Does that sound big enough, or should I scoot back to 700-800 yards.

I don't want to waste half my day hiking and preparing to shoot a ladder just to find out my upper or lower charge bullets are flying off target.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

Sounds like plenty to me.

I'd load up a few extras on the bottom end though, to foul/warm the bore, and to use as sighters on a different target.

My 338 ladder, from 87-->92gr Retumbo + 300smk was 3" wide and 15" tall at 800 yards.

 

[Graham]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

I've never done a 1000 yard ladder test. What's the point?

 

[timelinex]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like plenty to me.

I'd load up a few extras on the bottom end though, to foul/warm the bore, and to use as sighters on a different target.

My 338 ladder, from 87-->92gr Retumbo + 300smk was 3" wide and 15" tall at 800 yards. </div></div>

Ok great, thanks.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've never done a 1000 yard ladder test. What's the point?</div></div>

As opposed to what? I did OCW at 100 for my 308, but everything I read discourages 338lm testing at <500 yds

 

[Graham]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

It was meant as a literal question, not an attack.

Because I know what you are saying: That you want a method by which to test your 1000 yard load to make sure it is accurate at that distance.

Can you do a 1000 yard ladder test? Sure. My point is to be careful about what it will show, because wind and other factors can influence your groups more than load quality will.

A ladder test is most useful to measure small differences in your load development: Powder charge and/or seating depth to find an accuracy node. If you are shooting at 1000 you should be there already.

 

[raptor99]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

Listen to what Graham is saying. At that distance enviromental factors tend to play a much greater role on your groups.

With the 338 I would go no further than 500yds and would feel very comfortable doing it at 300yds. Most F Class shooters figure if a rifle will group 1" at 300yds it will be competative at 1000yds.

 

[varmint slayer]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

Yeah stick to the 300-500 yard range. 1000 isn't going to tell you anything useful due to all the reasons listed above. It's way too far and all it would do is just give you data that is really of no use because of all of the uncertainties.

 

[timelinex]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It was meant as a literal question, not an attack.

Because I know what you are saying: That you want a method by which to test your 1000 yard load to make sure it is accurate at that distance.

Can you do a 1000 yard ladder test? Sure. My point is to be careful about what it will show, because wind and other factors can influence your groups more than load quality will.

A ladder test is most useful to measure small differences in your load development: Powder charge and/or seating depth to find an accuracy node. If you are shooting at 1000 you should be there already. </div></div>

Thanks for the advice. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was on the defensive. This is exactly the advice I was looking for, and why I asked if I should just do it at a shorter range.

The reason I was gonna do it long range was because when I looked at some 300 yard ladder tests with a 338lm, the results looked way to crammed to interpret too much. I can probably do 600 yards at my spot, so that is what I will do instead then!

Also about the environment influencing the 1000 yard shot. I thought it wouldn't matter considering horizontal movement is taken out of the picture. Its not my first time shooting the 338 or shooting at a 1000. Its just my first time doing load development for anything but my 308.

 

[Graham]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

You could just test for vertical at 1000 and call it good. But you have to start with some good 1000 yard loads.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: Size paper for 1000 yard ladder test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timelinex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also about the environment influencing the 1000 yard shot. I thought it wouldn't matter considering horizontal movement is taken out of the picture. Its not my first time shooting the 338 or shooting at a 1000. Its just my first time doing load development for anything but my 308. </div></div>

Wind is not an exclusively lateral event......