Load development questions @ 100 yards.

[DocRDS]

Ok forgive me if this is covered in a sticky. Tons of good info--searching did not avail me.

As I do my load development for my rifles, I'm at this point "stuck" at 100 yards (as in only rangeds beyond 100+ are steel ranges), so many things like the ladder test or OCW seem like they are not likely to succeed at the shorter distance. (Or maybe I'm wrong--if so just so STFU and go shoot @ 100). So as I work up a load, if I'm the biggest factor in group size (its possible--i can shoot good groups, but I have much to improve on), how do I even try and do load development? Is it possible to do at 100 or do I need to make friends and influence people to find places to get to longer distances.

(and yes taking class in Nov so as to help remove as much of me from equation as possible).

 

[XLR308]

If 100 yard ranges are all you have access to then find what groups best and check you velocity, ES and SD numbers over you chronograph.
I have done the same in the past and most of those loads held up well at longer distances but your right there is substitute for being able to verify what it will actually do at distance.

 

[Dthomas3523]

There are only three things that cause loads to “fall apart at distance.”

Shooter
Velocity
BC

Shooter is self explanatory.

Velocity can be checked with a chrono and doesn’t need any distance to do this. You check it and if you’re ES and such is acceptable for your desired target size, that’s done.

Bullet BC needs to be consistent from bullet to bullet for your desired target size. If not, you will need to sort and/or tip them to uniform the BC. Or buy a more consistent bullet like Berger.

The *only* reason you need to shoot at distance is the verify the BC is consistent. If your groups fall apart and your chrono numbers were good it is *NOT* a powder issue. It’s a bullet consistency issue.

The other reason would be to tune positive compensation at a particular distance. This is only done for a specific distance.

Anyone claiming you need to shoot at distance to do anything except check BC consistency or tune for a specific distance is still stuck in circa 1990 loading methods/theory and haven’t evolved.

Long story short, if using quality bullets and shooting practical or prs style stuff you do NOT need to verify at distance. You can do your load development at 100yds, then shoot at distance to true your data and be done.

 

[Dthomas3523]

The most efficient use of your time and ammo is:

Find powder node with chrono
Tune seating depth at 100
Shoot at distance to gather dope/true software and if your groups don’t hold at distance, you know you have a bullet issue you need to figure out.

No need to make a separate range trip to test BC and then come back to true data.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

Using a chrono to work up to max pressure as determined by pressure tested load data adjusting the target velocity for your barrel length.

Watch for other signs such as:
Appearance of soot on neck, position of soot ring in relation to the neck/shoulder junction, primer appearance, bolt lift, ejector marks, diameter of expansion ring near base of the case.

When the ceiling is found, back off 1.5% and tune seating depth.

All can be done at 100 yards.

 

[XLR308]

There are only three things that cause loads to “fall apart at distance.”

Shooter
Velocity
BC

Shooter is self explanatory.

Velocity can be checked with a chrono and doesn’t need any distance to do this. You check it and if you’re ES and such is acceptable for your desired target size, that’s done.

Bullet BC needs to be consistent from bullet to bullet for your desired target size. If not, you will need to sort and/or tip them to uniform the BC. Or buy a more consistent bullet like Berger.

The *only* reason you need to shoot at distance is the verify the BC is consistent. If your groups fall apart and your chrono numbers were good it is *NOT* a powder issue. It’s a bullet consistency issue.

The other reason would be to tune positive compensation at a particular distance. This is only done for a specific distance.

Anyone claiming you need to shoot at distance to do anything except check BC consistency or tune for a specific distance is still stuck in circa 1990 loading methods/theory and haven’t evolved.

Long story short, if using quality bullets and shooting practical or prs style stuff you do NOT need to verify at distance. You can do your load development at 100yds, then shoot at distance to true your data and be done.

That makes sense and ironicly of the times I did have issues with a good load not performing at distance was in the 90's and went away after switching things up, mainly bullets.
That was before I owned a chronograph.

 

[DocRDS]

Cool. Me and the Labradar are gonna go get some work done. Much appreciated.