Ladder Test - 308

[tnichols]

Just looking for advice after my ladder test today. I won't bore you guys with every last detail of the test. Conclusion: Least amount of vertical difference was a 175 SMK over 43.0 gr. of RE15. Test was shot at 340 yards. This load groups extremely well in my rifle, half to three quarter MOA consistently. The question is, it only chrono's at an average of 2570, with extreme spreads in the high single digits to low teens, and the Black Hills load I've been shooting runs 2633. For shooting out to 600-800 yards, would you rather be pushing them harder and give up a little accuracy, or stick with the more accurate load. I've gone as high as 44.5 gr. of RE15 (2682 fps av) with no pressure signs, just not as accurate as the other load. What would YOU do?

Gun: Savage 10FP Mc Millan Stock 26" Barrel
Brass: Prepped once fired Black Hills (Win.)Trimmed 2.005
Bullet: 175 SMK sorted by weight
Primer: Fed. 210M
Powder: RE15
OAL: Seated 2.196 base to ogive
Chrono: CED M2
I'm neck sizing and seating using Forster dies.

 

[tnichols]

Re: Ladder Test - 308

Bump

 

[3wide]

Re: Ladder Test - 308

No pictures?

You may have found the FPS that shakes the barrel just right, but move velocity will help the farther out you go. Only one way to find out, wait for a calm day and swing for the fences.

 

[Breeze260]

Re: Ladder Test - 308

Keep looking I think you found the low end node
I'm shooting 178Amax at 2730 and that was found doing the ladder test at 300yds
and its out of a Savage 10 FCP-K

 

[vman]

Re: Ladder Test - 308

I would test what node you currently have.

If it shoots well out to your max range then shes good to go

Im currently shooting my scenars at around 2700 FPS, which is giving me great accuracy but I have not tested past 500 yards... it would be a shame if it turns to shit our further, as im currently pushing 46gr of powder, and any higher and my loads will be compressed to shit

If i were you I would possibly make another few rounds to ladder test with but this time loaded higher... you may only need less than 15 rounds... maybe even less

If pressure starts to show its ugly bitch ass face then stick with the node you have already found

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Ladder Test - 308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tnichols</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've gone as high as 44.5 gr. of RE15 (2682 fps av) with no pressure signs, just not as accurate as the other load. What would YOU do? </div></div>
Keep going up. Seat the bullet out a little, and this will help reduce the compression.

 

[tnichols]

Re: Ladder Test - 308

No pictures?

Sorry no pics Nick. I might do another ladder starting at 44.5 and go up until I get pressure. I'd like to do this at 600, but it would mean a trip to Milan.

Thanks for the insight guys.

 

[Enios]

Re: Ladder Test - 308

What you have will hold up to 900 with no problem but couldn't say if they would still be accurate there. My 10FCP likes about 2710 fps with the 175. Best accuracy all around is with the 190SMKs at about 2500fps and AA2520. Will almost do bug holes at 175 with 5 shot groups. I'm loading 41.2 &.3 in Nosler brass and 210M .010 off the lands and shooting under 1/2" and smaller. Think the 1/10 twist better suited for the 190 bullets, but it shoots the 175's great, too.