Range Report first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

[Break Bad]

first ladder, mostly for fun and experience, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

There is also a shot just above where this image is cropped, which was 46.8gr. Not the best marksman but managed to get a couple nodes. Did .2 increments. Not sure if I should just settle on about 46.2gr(ish?) for awhile until I improve my technique or do another .1 ladder and perhaps ocw test aswell. Would appreciate guidance!

 

[Pusher591]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

I don't understand? How do you know if you find a node when those are only one shot strings.

Should have fired 3-5 rounds of each to see how they group, unless there is a different way I'm unaware of.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

The thing I don't understand is why you think you can get valid results at 450 yards.
Your ability, the wind, etc all stand to skew your results.
Just my opinion. Threads like this make me think I don't understand what a ladder test is supposed to do.

 

[Break Bad]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pusher591</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't understand? How do you know if you find a node when those are only one shot strings.

Should have fired 3-5 rounds of each to see how they group, unless there is a different way I'm unaware of.</div></div>

Sorry I should have mentioned, My first string I shot on another board, just didnt post pic... Was recording hits in log. Results are similar, 3 shots low, 45.6 mid, the rest high.

 

[Break Bad]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The thing I don't understand is why you think you can get valid results at 450 yards.
Your ability, the wind, etc all stand to skew your results.
Just my opinion. Threads like this make me think I don't understand what a ladder test is supposed to do.</div></div>

No wind, ya skill is a factor. Are you saying this isnt valid? Thats what I'd like to hear, not the whiney part

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

I see a few on here always posting that ladder and OCW test should be done at very long ranges (300 and farther). With either test, IMHO, you are looking for a consistent load for the particular rifle instead of trying to impress with long range skills. Have you tried the same test at 100 yards or even 200 yards? I bet the results would be much more readable.
Not being whiney here. YOU asked for guidance.

 

[Break Bad]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I see a few on here always posting that ladder and OCW test should be done at very long ranges (300 and farther). With either test, IMHO, you are looking for a consistent load for the particular rifle instead of trying to impress with long range skills. Have you tried the same test at 100 yards or even 200 yards? I bet the results would be much more readable.
Not being whiney here. YOU asked for guidance.
</div></div>

Have not tried at 100 or 200, as title of thread says, 'first' ladder test.

I've read it is easier to interpret results at 400-500 yards, which is why I started there.

I did ask for guidance, and you provided none until you recommend 100-200 yard ladder instead, thank you. I just didn't want the thread derailed into a ocw vs ladder validity argument.

 

[TannerGun]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

Recently, the load that shot like this at 100 yards:

Shot like this at 580 yards:

(bottom right-sighter)
Neither are groups like some guys on here shoot, but they please me and I'd rather do lots of shooting than testing.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

Not at all trying to start that. You clearly state you are looking for guidance on a ladder test. I was just questioning your methods for that ladder test.
As I said above, if you had posted this thread with a 100 yard test many would chime in here and tell you it isn't valid unless you do it at 500 yards. I think they are full of it (or just a lot better shooters than most I know).
Now, as for the guidance part, I don't do load testing according to the internet. I do it on what I have found to work over the last 37 years of reloading and shooting. I can find a lot of "stuff" on the internet that would contradict how I have done even the simplest things over the course of my life (tying my shoes ). Take a logical approach here. If your test at 100/200 shows a promising load then you can move out to 300/400 or whatever and try it.
Sorry to be so windy here but your response of whiney pissed me off.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

I count eight rounds (not including the sighter) and I would guess they all measure something like 5". That is pretty good shooting. Were you on a bench or prone?

 

[TannerGun]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

I think it'd be a bit over 5", but I haven't measured. The 3 really light splashes were pot shots at 770, but I couldn't hear the little 87 Vmaxes hit the plate with the wind

That was just shooting out of the snow with a bipod and a makeshift rear-bag (think about a Crown-Royal bag). Living in Colorado has made it kind of tough to find long, flat, open spaces that aren't already ranches filled with cows, but I ain't complaining!

 

[Topstrap]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

I'm still amazed that folks can find info in shooting at those distances. At the matches we've seen shooters that have trouble keeping the rounds on a 15" circle at 400 yards. Yes there are some that can place shots on a target at those distances but with all the factors involved with Mother Nature and a shooters ability I don't know if I'd trust a session based on a few shots.

We still shoot 100 yards with a few different groups and then go from there and move on out with the more promising loads. usually the ones that do well close up are also the ones that do well further out. We usually try our grouping tests at 200 where the weather isn't as much a factor and we still can get very good groups. Later we'll move on out thru the targets at 1000 yards to see how they perform. Our latest 260 liked 42.5 and 44 gr of 4350 at 100 yards and both loads did very well out to 1000. Maybe those are the nodes everyone is looking for.

I'm glad it's working for some but based on quite a few years of long distance shooting and watching a lot of shooters trying to hit targets at intermediate (300 - 600yards) ranges I don't think I'd be trying to gather data I'd be basing my loads on from hits at those distances.

Just my thoughts and great that it's working for those that are doing it and finding useful information from it.

Topstrap

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: first ladder, 450yds, 155 amax + varget, 20" 5R

Uh oh! Looks like someone else is going to get the Whiney tag.

I'm with you all the way Topstrap.