increments for load development? what is best?

[paulnyc]

I am trying to figure out what is the best incrment for load development. I know that with OCW load development it's 0.3 grains. I am trying out three new bullets - 6.5 x 47 lapua with one powder - doing 5 shot groups. I am planning to use viht n 140 -

QUESTION- ARE ONE GRAIN INCRMENTS TO INFREQUENT? I know that 0.5 increments would be better but I would be at the range all day. COL is 2.80 inches except for the berger 100s which are too short.

I would be loading:

For Lapua 100 Secenars 37, 38, 39, 39.5
For Lapua 108 Scenars 34.4 35 36 37 38 38.7
For Lapua 123 Scenars 33.2 34 35 36 36.4
For Berger 100 37.5 38.5 39.5 40.5 41.5

Thanks for the input.

Paul.

 

[Teggy1]

Re: increments for load development? what is best?

A ladder test would be a lot quicker, fewer rounds loaded and shot. If you went in .5 grain increments you would have around 8 or so charge weights to work through per bullet. Instead of 20-30 rnds per bullet.

I have used both, both work well. IMO, you really need to be at 300 or more yards for the Ladder test. But it is faster, with fewer rounds loaded and fired, and saves barrel life.

I usually load up to 3 of each for ladder test charge weights, so I can run the test consecutively with full ladder test if I pull one, or two, and note as such on my test, hopefully I don't pull the same charge weight on the next test. I know many will say this is a waste, but I am no pro, and don't play one on T.V.

If you are going to load 5 rounds of each charge weight for each bullet, your going to be there ALL day anyway, if you allow your barrel to cool between shots.

 

[paulnyc]

Re: increments for load development? what is best?

Problem with a ladder test is that there aren't any ranges near me further than 200 yards and from what I understand you need a lot more distance to do an accurate ladder test.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: increments for load development? what is best?

"Best"? Probably .1 gr. But .3 is fine, at least until you find a null area.

You can do a ladder at 100 yards if you do it right. The "problem" at shorter ranges is identifying and keeping track of what load made which hole. Shoot ONE shot at each of a group of prenumbered targets. Lay them on top of a blank target and mark/number each hole afterwards, it's usually quite easy to see what's happening that way.

After you find the better charge range do another ladder with it but vary the seating depth.

Once you find a null at a speed and OAL you can live with, THEN do a more closely grouped few loads of OCW testing.

You will (or should) find that there is a window, or range, in which small differences in both charge and OAL make no detectable difference. Strive to load in the middle of those ranges and your ammo won't be so touchy about small loading differences or temp changes.

 

[mdmp5]

Re: increments for load development? what is best?

Use .3 to .5 gr increments. Anything smaller may give you inconclusive data between loads. Once you find a range of good charges, then you can narrow it down.

 

[vman]

Re: increments for load development? what is best?

paulnyc, ladder test at 200 yards should still be ok.

Use 0.5 grain increments and just take your time with the test. Shoot as best you can and try not to deviate from point of aim at all.