I'm just laddering several different powders right now in my 24" Cooper, and I discovered a good 3" difference in drop at 300 yards. It was between Reloader 10x and Varget. Both have an obvious spot of minimum spread, and I'll load up groups of 5 for each weight and see which delivers the most uniform group. It was quite by accident that I shot both on the same target background and noticed the difference in drop. Has anyone/everyone noticed this too? and does it mean less drop farther out? If so, could there be a list of powders showing the least drop in distance? (all relative to 'sweet spot')
laddering revelation
- Thread starter OldmaninNeb
- Start date
Re: laddering revelation
Do you use a chronograph?
Velocity differences would most likely answer your drop question.
Do you use a chronograph?
Velocity differences would most likely answer your drop question.
Re: laddering revelation
I didn't, and usually don't laddering, I'm loading according to the charts and not over the top: reloader10x 22.6, 22.8,23,23.2,23.4, 23.6 and Varget: 26.4,26.6, 26.8, 27. I could understand velocity making a difference within a ladder, but ALL of the Varget loads were 3 measured inches closer to the bullseye except maybe the 26.4 which was 2 inches lower than the rest. I will take the crono when I see which loads group the best @ 100 yards. My rifle likes 23, 23.2 (closest) in 10X and 26.6 and 26.8 in Varget. Varget fills the case and is cut different just a mystery to me still.
I didn't, and usually don't laddering, I'm loading according to the charts and not over the top: reloader10x 22.6, 22.8,23,23.2,23.4, 23.6 and Varget: 26.4,26.6, 26.8, 27. I could understand velocity making a difference within a ladder, but ALL of the Varget loads were 3 measured inches closer to the bullseye except maybe the 26.4 which was 2 inches lower than the rest. I will take the crono when I see which loads group the best @ 100 yards. My rifle likes 23, 23.2 (closest) in 10X and 26.6 and 26.8 in Varget. Varget fills the case and is cut different just a mystery to me still.
Re: laddering revelation
Well I'm not claiming to have a keen grasp of all things OCW but it seems clear to me that the 3" drop you see is due to a difference in velocity. Perhaps you are at a lower accuracy node.
Doing a little checking the current burn rate chart shows 10X is significantly faster burning than Varget at 76 vs. 99 respectively on the current Hodgdon burn rate chart.
http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html
I am not familiar with 10X as it's new and I have had great results with Varget, RL-15, B-LC2, and a couple others in the .223/5.56.
Is it a higher density than Varget? How full are the cases loaded with 10X?
Well I'm not claiming to have a keen grasp of all things OCW but it seems clear to me that the 3" drop you see is due to a difference in velocity. Perhaps you are at a lower accuracy node.
Doing a little checking the current burn rate chart shows 10X is significantly faster burning than Varget at 76 vs. 99 respectively on the current Hodgdon burn rate chart.
http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html
I am not familiar with 10X as it's new and I have had great results with Varget, RL-15, B-LC2, and a couple others in the .223/5.56.
Is it a higher density than Varget? How full are the cases loaded with 10X?
Re: laddering revelation
cases aren't as full, varget is compressed. Thanks for the heads up on that chart. Still learning, still looking for the one hole, 5 bullet group ;-)
cases aren't as full, varget is compressed. Thanks for the heads up on that chart. Still learning, still looking for the one hole, 5 bullet group ;-)
Re: laddering revelation
10X is designed for the .223 and other .22 caliber cases in that range so I believe the cases should very likely be loaded to full or compressed loads to achieve the same velocities you are getting with Varget.
You don't say what bullet weight you are running and given that, it looks like you are already at recommended maximum load of powder, at least for the 55 grain pills.
They don't list anything heavier than 55 grain bullets with this powder.
http://tinyurl.com/2daq57b
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=24&cartridge=46
10X is designed for the .223 and other .22 caliber cases in that range so I believe the cases should very likely be loaded to full or compressed loads to achieve the same velocities you are getting with Varget.
You don't say what bullet weight you are running and given that, it looks like you are already at recommended maximum load of powder, at least for the 55 grain pills.
They don't list anything heavier than 55 grain bullets with this powder.
http://tinyurl.com/2daq57b
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=24&cartridge=46
Re: laddering revelation
I'm using Hornady's 50gr. V-max and Sierra's 50gr Blitzking, Laupa cases, cci 400 primers, 1.900" 0al to ogive (1.904 to lands) Neither H335 nor Reloader10X fills the case with the loads I've come up with, but Varget's bulky size fills them even on the lightest load.
I'm using Hornady's 50gr. V-max and Sierra's 50gr Blitzking, Laupa cases, cci 400 primers, 1.900" 0al to ogive (1.904 to lands) Neither H335 nor Reloader10X fills the case with the loads I've come up with, but Varget's bulky size fills them even on the lightest load.
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