Best distance for load development 100 yards?
- Thread starter paulnyc
- Start date
Re: Best distance for load development 100 yards?
I think it does matter.
This is how i like to break it down.
As a shooter and handloader there are 2 dimensions that I can influence to improve my accuracy... well 3 actually if i include projectile choice to get a higher ballistic coefficient, but I wont go into that.
The two dimensions im talking about are Vertical (elevation, or up/down) and Horizontal (wind component). If you have total control of both of these variables then in theory you will be hitting the X on the target every time. Unfortunately real life holds more variables than just that HOWEVER that doesnt mean you should overlook them. These two variables are the main players, if you dont take into account the shooter and rifle.
Now, back on topic... When I handload, or when we handload, we look for a load that produces the LEAST AMOUNT OF VERTICAL SPREAD (elevation). Once our handload has reduced vertical spread, it is up to our windage estimations to bring the horizontal spread together.
In order to reduce vertical spread, I like to use the ladder test method and I like to perform this between 300 to 400 yards. Any closer and I find it a little harder to determine which powder charges I should be looking into.
You can do this type of test closer but I find the results really stand out when you go further out.
I find shooting at 100 yards to be a little useless as it is so close to the shooter than verticle spread isnt always so apparent. You may think a load looks great at 100 yards, but performs not so great at 500 yards.
I would highly recomend looking into the "Ladder Test" further and invest some research into it.
Hope it helps
I think it does matter.
This is how i like to break it down.
As a shooter and handloader there are 2 dimensions that I can influence to improve my accuracy... well 3 actually if i include projectile choice to get a higher ballistic coefficient, but I wont go into that.
The two dimensions im talking about are Vertical (elevation, or up/down) and Horizontal (wind component). If you have total control of both of these variables then in theory you will be hitting the X on the target every time. Unfortunately real life holds more variables than just that HOWEVER that doesnt mean you should overlook them. These two variables are the main players, if you dont take into account the shooter and rifle.
Now, back on topic... When I handload, or when we handload, we look for a load that produces the LEAST AMOUNT OF VERTICAL SPREAD (elevation). Once our handload has reduced vertical spread, it is up to our windage estimations to bring the horizontal spread together.
In order to reduce vertical spread, I like to use the ladder test method and I like to perform this between 300 to 400 yards. Any closer and I find it a little harder to determine which powder charges I should be looking into.
You can do this type of test closer but I find the results really stand out when you go further out.
I find shooting at 100 yards to be a little useless as it is so close to the shooter than verticle spread isnt always so apparent. You may think a load looks great at 100 yards, but performs not so great at 500 yards.
I would highly recomend looking into the "Ladder Test" further and invest some research into it.
Re: Best distance for load development 100 yards?
I find that when good loads start to appear, it can become difficult to distinguish performance at 100yd. I'll move out to 200yd then. As above, vertical spread is a key determinant of effective load development; especially when the testing moves out to where wind deflection becomes a significant factor.
Greg
I find that when good loads start to appear, it can become difficult to distinguish performance at 100yd. I'll move out to 200yd then. As above, vertical spread is a key determinant of effective load development; especially when the testing moves out to where wind deflection becomes a significant factor.
Greg
Re: Best distance for load development 100 yards?
My development is very similar to Vman's, but i do start at 100. My 500 yd spot is a LOT further away. So I load my brass, shoot at 100, chrono and pick the most promising loads that are close to the velocity I expect, load some of those and THEN go to 500, shoot groups and look for the least verticle. I can usually see the loads I DON"T want at 100.
John
My development is very similar to Vman's, but i do start at 100. My 500 yd spot is a LOT further away. So I load my brass, shoot at 100, chrono and pick the most promising loads that are close to the velocity I expect, load some of those and THEN go to 500, shoot groups and look for the least verticle. I can usually see the loads I DON"T want at 100.
John
Re: Best distance for load development 100 yards?
anyone know of a 500 yard range not far from NYC?
longest range is 200 yards.
anyone know of a 500 yard range not far from NYC?
longest range is 200 yards.
Re: Best distance for load development 100 yards?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulnyc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the ideal distance for load development - 100 yards? 200 yards? does it matter?
</div></div>
Yes it does. I always start at 100 yards and try to get it as small as possible. If I have several suspects, then I take them out to 300, and 500 yards. Depending on the caliber and projos, sometimes, you can have a horrible 100 yard group, but a much better groupings at longer ranges (because the projo has stabilized). After 500 yards, then I take it out to 1K.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paulnyc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the ideal distance for load development - 100 yards? 200 yards? does it matter?
</div></div>
Yes it does. I always start at 100 yards and try to get it as small as possible. If I have several suspects, then I take them out to 300, and 500 yards. Depending on the caliber and projos, sometimes, you can have a horrible 100 yard group, but a much better groupings at longer ranges (because the projo has stabilized). After 500 yards, then I take it out to 1K.
Re: Best distance for load development 100 yards?
I do initial load development with Quickload software simulations. then tune the load at the distance I expect to shoot. I see no point in wearing out a barrel at 100 or 200 yards shooting loads intended to be shot at many times that distance.
Drop variation from velocity dispersion increases with more than the square of the distance. You can't tell much about long range bullet stability either by shooting at short range.
I have little confidence for long range shooting with a load developed only at short range. It may or may not be good at long range, but how would you know?
I do initial load development with Quickload software simulations. then tune the load at the distance I expect to shoot. I see no point in wearing out a barrel at 100 or 200 yards shooting loads intended to be shot at many times that distance.
Drop variation from velocity dispersion increases with more than the square of the distance. You can't tell much about long range bullet stability either by shooting at short range.
I have little confidence for long range shooting with a load developed only at short range. It may or may not be good at long range, but how would you know?
