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Load development question

dzander

Grandpa Dave
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 21, 2018
378
290
Ohio
When developing a load for long range 400 to 1000 yards do you shot groups at 100 yards and assume there good for distance or do you test at longer ranges as well? I have easy access out to 300. What do you guys do? Is it prudent to shoot groups at longer ranges? Assuming low to no wind while doing so.
 
Jesus Christ not this again.
No.
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I shoot at 100yds for zero and grouping, get velocities and put them in a ballistic app. I don't have easy access to be able to shoot at distance. It works but you may find some dopes that are a little off. The best way is to verify every dope for as far as you can. shooting 300yds will tell you much much more about the load. I shot in a skills match recently 300-1000 yds I was pretty happy with how my load performed.
 
I have the Kestrel with Ballistics AE. When I load the gun info and my velocity of my 130 VLDM loads at 2804 fps with 100 yard zero It gives me 1.0 mil for 300 yards and I hit right on.
Where I'm at 300 is the most I have available, would be nice to verify on paper at longer yardage.
 
I have the Kestrel with Ballistics AE. When I load the gun info and my velocity of my 130 VLDM loads at 2804 fps with 100 yard zero It gives me 1.0 mil for 300 yards and I hit right on.
Where I'm at 300 is the most I have available, would be nice to verify on paper at longer yardage.


At 300 you can start to judge... I said start... in GENERAL if it shoots great at 300 and your twist , bullets, and velocity are correct you SHOULD be good
 
YA, Thats kinda what I was thinking. It would be cool if i could verify from like 400 to 800 or 1000.
Need to learn how to true the kestrel and learn this mph gun business for wind.
I will be getting some training when i retire at the end of this year, assuming I have any money left in my 401k and don't die from the virus i am really self taught and just starting to learn long range rifle. 66 years young and lots to learn.
 
I'm just about to start load development for my 6.5cm and going to be doing it at 400yds. I've done load developments for my AR for different bullets, all at 100yds and sometimes it was a little frustrating. Did it again at 300, and it seemed to make it a lot easier.

Side Note: a quality chronograph can really help. My cheap one has let me down once or twice
 
What if you do load development at distance, will your groups be terrible at 100? What the "best" bullet that sleeps as soon as it leaves the barrel? Will they shoot as good as my coworkers papa's .270?
 
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