Load Development

[slopeshunter]

How do you guys go about doing your load development. Just gave this a read link removed and was interested in how you all go about developing a new load.

tks

Link removed. When I visited that site my ad-ware and antivirus software triggered. According to McAfee the site contains links to 2 potentially dangerous sites that will change software settings on your computer.

Hmmm, well I tried to copy the text but there's way too much.

SO, anybody tried ladder testing for load development? What other methods do you like to use?

[Cariboo]

Further discussion on ladder testing however is encouraged.

[Gatehouse]

I use a sort of ladder method, and I've found it cuts down my development time by quite a bit...

I start a few grains below max and then work up, shooting at the target and noting the impact on a seperate target.

When I get to max, I look at the target.

Generally 2-3 powder charges will put the bullets close to each other. I load up 3 of each charge, and shoot them at seperate targets, note the best group (if one is better than the others) and then adjust seatign depth.

Somtimes its really easy....

[Downwindtracker]

The Ladder method has been around for a while in South Africa,their SoChem(powder company) boys use it. It involves one cartidge only in spaced powder charges (.1 gr)and shooting at a distance target ,300+,and recording where they land. The best loads for that rifle will be in a group,other will stray.Then they will play with bullet seating depth.

For a quick 308 load,I chose a powder IMR 4064, bullets 155 A-Max and primers BR-2. I then loaded 10 at starting load and 10 more at 1gr intervals.At the best grouping, I came back with 10 each of 1/2gr low ,main charge and 1/2gr higher.Last two are good,but with flyers. I shot the ten in two groups of five. For a light barreled hunting rifle three shot groups make more sense.

With a 308 sized case 1/2 a grain should not make that much of a difference.At least that's what VihtVouri says.

[the rifleman]

I'm suprised nobody raised the aspect of checking for pressure signs, as part of the load testing, not just target grouping? Am I missing something here?

[Gatehouse]

Originally Posted by the rifleman

I'm suprised nobody raised the aspect of checking for pressure signs, as part of the load testing, not just target grouping? Am I missing something here?

You should always be on the lookout for pressure signs..