Where to go from here?

Bigwheels

Gunny Sergeant
Minuteman
  • Jun 16, 2007
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    Anacortes WA
    In the final stages of load development for my rebarreled 300WM. Benchmark 1-9.5" for Berger 230, &/or Hornady 225's.
    I have the charge weight set at 76.0 gr H-1000 from my 2 ladder tests. 1st was .3 gr increments @ 550 yd, followed up with .1gr increments @ 875 yd.
    My last ladder put 3 into 1.6" vertical x 2.5" horizontal spread @ 875 yds. Berger Hyb 230 jammed .002".
    I want to test seating depth but haven't decided on how to do it.
    Another ladder with seating depth from jammed .002" away in .002"-.003" increments?
    Round robin them in .005" increments?
    Screw it! It already shoots .175 moa.?
    Decisions, decisions...
     
    I usually tune seating depth at 100 yards after my ladder tests. Start at 10thou and go as deep as I ve seen other ppl having luck with them. Before the round robbin sequence I make sure to shoot a few sighters to heat up the pipe and make sure your ammo is all the same temp before shooting.
     

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    I go .005 increments from jam back to .02 off unless a specific bullet is known to like more than .02 jump then I go back farther. I would test at 100-200 yds to remove environmental factors from giving you scewed results...
     
    My last load with the 230s liked .015" off the lands but of course the new brl may like something different. Last time I used a couple ladder tests to determine charge weight and then round robin for the seating depth. This time I read an article about the benefits of testing for seating depth with a ladder as well. So now I'm on the fence.
    I may just give it a try and see. Will only be 10 rnds, and if it shows a definite pattern like the 2 ladder tests prior then it will give me the info I need with less shots.
    FYI here are pics of the 2 ladder tests.
    Ladder1.jpg
    Ladder2s.jpg