Ladder tests and horizontal stringing

[TimK]

I ran a two stage ladder test over the weekend and I think I have found my barrel's node. It looks like I should have at least 0.1g of tolerance high or low or maybe even 0.2g.

My question is this: do barrels only move up and down? Why are we concerning ourselves only with vertical groups? Can't there also be a node in the horizontal axis? If so, might it be in a different place (different charge weight) than the vertical node, or is it always the same?

BTW, assuming that I'm worrying about something that doesn't need to be worried about, I'm extremely pleased with my results. Three shots spanning 0.3g of charge shot into a group 3/4" high at 600 yards. The wind was very strong and gusting so it was spread to hell and gone horizontally, but I'm hoping that was just the wind.

 

[azimutha]

Re: Ladder tests and horizontal stringing

Sounds like it was wind. You really just want to look at your vertical results when doing a ladder test. Read Jason Baney's article on his method. It's the best I've seen: http://www.6mmbr.com/laddertest.html. The article, BTW, refers to using Sharpie markers to color code bullets. You can read why there, but note that now you can get Sharpies in multiple colors. Don't bother with other brands. I tried some Bic permanent markers and couldn't decipher the colors until I ironed the holes flat back home.

 

[bohem]

Re: Ladder tests and horizontal stringing

What do you get in that ladder test if you shoot up close (100-200yd)? Seating depth can have the effect of horizontal stringing with some bullets. The data sounds like you have a very solid powder charge nailed down but it's hard to say if it's all the wind or some seating depth to worry some, or just shooter error too.

The sharpie trick is a neat idea, I've never heard of that before and have always kept my ladder tests inside 400yd for the sake of seeing the impacts. Thanks for the tip Azimutha, I'm going to try that out.