I don't have access (at least not close, maybe an hours drive, but on the weekends it's difficult getting a bench)to a 300 yard range. The best I can do is a 100 yd range. I realize the ladder test is probably the best way to develop a load, but at 100 yards there's too little difference to develope a meaningful result.
What I do now is load up my bullet, usually .010 off the lands, with varying amounts of powder. Depending on the range, it could be anywhere from .2 to .5 grains difference for each 5 shot group.
I load usually 5 shot groups with each powder amount. Sometimes I may load 4 cartridges each, but usually 5. Then I take these to the range and find the one which appears to group best.
I now take the "best" group, and work around it in .2 grain increments. In other words, if 41.5g of varget appears to have the best group, I'll load 4 at 41.3, 41.5 and 41.7 and shoot those.
Once I determine the best group there, I'll load up several groups using the desired amount of powder and now start to vary the distance to the lands. Moving in in .005 increments till I'm touching the lands, as well as out in .005 increments till I'm about .020 jump.
I end up with what I suspect is a good combination, but go through a lot of bullets in the process, as well as a lot of frustration.
Is there a more efficient manner in developing a load for a particular bullet powder combination? (other than taking a day off from work and getting to the range before the others arrive - I already thought of that!)
thanks for the help....
What I do now is load up my bullet, usually .010 off the lands, with varying amounts of powder. Depending on the range, it could be anywhere from .2 to .5 grains difference for each 5 shot group.
I load usually 5 shot groups with each powder amount. Sometimes I may load 4 cartridges each, but usually 5. Then I take these to the range and find the one which appears to group best.
I now take the "best" group, and work around it in .2 grain increments. In other words, if 41.5g of varget appears to have the best group, I'll load 4 at 41.3, 41.5 and 41.7 and shoot those.
Once I determine the best group there, I'll load up several groups using the desired amount of powder and now start to vary the distance to the lands. Moving in in .005 increments till I'm touching the lands, as well as out in .005 increments till I'm about .020 jump.
I end up with what I suspect is a good combination, but go through a lot of bullets in the process, as well as a lot of frustration.
Is there a more efficient manner in developing a load for a particular bullet powder combination? (other than taking a day off from work and getting to the range before the others arrive - I already thought of that!)
thanks for the help....
