Range Report AAC-SD 175gr Sierra MatchKing/Varget ladder testing (400yds)

[melloyello]

All cases were Reminton RP, WLR primers and 2.80" OAL
I ran one ladder in ascending order(left) and one in descending order(right) after I fired a couple of sighters to get her warmed up. All shots fired from 400yds.

42gr- 2411, 2391fps
42.5gr-2448, 2491fps
43gr- 2473, 2488fps
43.5gr-2520, 2514fps
44gr- 2538, 2528fps
44.5gr-2557, 2557fps
45gr- 2620, 2608fps
You guys tell me which direction I should go from here. This is my first ladder testing. I think a good spot to focus may be between 44-45gr. And yes, I really pulled that 44 on the left side. Don't know what I did but I called it as soon as I shot it.

 

[Rthur]

I would say to run your ladder again using .3 of a grain change. BTW did you see pressure at 45 or was this just a stopping point? Say start at 43 and go up to 46 or more. Also watch for pressure as you get to 45 and above on your brass and primers. With more shots it will make a better pattern on the nodes. I will bet there is more to be seen around 45 and up.

 

[melloyello]

I would say to run your ladder again using .3 of a grain change. BTW did you see pressure at 45 or was this just a stopping point? Say start at 43 and go up to 46 or more. Also watch for pressure as you get to 45 and above on your brass and primers. With more shots it will make a better pattern on the nodes. I will bet there is more to be seen around 45 and up.

45gr was just starting to compress the powder at 2.80" OAL and one of the 2 shots had a slightly tight bolt. From shooting 178 AMAX I know that 45.5gr is my max on Varget for that weight bullet at that OAL.
I made these rounds a couple weeks ago before I decided to start loading everything to my magazine length which is 2.860"