How do you develop a load? (long range)

[ChristianPatriot]

Do you do a ladder load and find the node and then shoot groups? Or just shoot groups and see which one is the tightest?

 

[ChristianPatriot]

I should clarify. I understand how to develop a load. It's more of a personal preference question.

 

[jblomenberg16]

I will usually do a pretty coarse "ladder" in increments that seem to be easiest to meter. I'll look for 2 things. Consistency in muzzle velocity and group size. Once I find a few sweet spots then I'll try to fine tune the load with seating depth, etc.

One I've realized more than anything is that my shooting technique is still introducing as much variation as my loads. So typically once I get a load that has a pretty tight standard deviation (maybe 10-15FPS) on velocity that will shoot < 1", I call it good, as I recognize that I won't be able to shoot better than that right now.

 

[USMC-FF]

I do exactly what jblomenburg16 does minus seating depth. I load for magazine length of 2.800 OAL for my R700 .308. It seems to like it so I never messed with seat depths. I really like my standard deviation at ~ 10 fps. I shot in a 3x600 yard match last week and all my shots were along the water line on the target just couldn't read the wind very well!

I also have used Dan Newberry's OCW test loading method will great results.