Finally ran a ladder test today

[mugsie]

Well I finally got to a 300 yd range that I'm a member of and shot a ladder test with my .308. It's a Shilen barrel built on a Savage short action, mounted on a Manners stock. I was shooting 168g SMK's, Lapua brass (fired many times before and annealed by me), and Varget powder with CCI primers. I started at 42g and worked up in .5g increments to 46g of powder.

Quite frankly I was surprised at the results (I'll post a pic later when I take one and figure out how to do it). I thought I was seeing a node between 44 and 44.5 as they were only about 3/4 of an inch in vertical dispersion, but when I shot the remaining rounds, 45.5 and 46g's, although windage they were about 2" away from each other, they were on the same elevation almost excatly (I hope I'm making myself clear here - it's tough without a picture). They were seperated, vertically, only about 1/4 inch! I'm thinking this is my node for this rifle using the above combination.

I had previously been shooting the same combination except I was using IMR4064 powder, 42g's. It's an extremly accurate load for me, but I couldn't find any locally, so I went to Varget. It's certainly clocking a lot faster as could be seen by the rise in strike point on the target (I'll chrony them later). I now have a few pounds of Varget with which to load up and shoot - that should hold me for a little while.

Since I have a mix of brass, from R&P, to PPU, to Winchester to various range pick ups, I'm thinking they'll all like somewhere around the 45.5g or so. I know the brass is thicker / thinner and I'll need to work up the load, but if I clock the Lapua combination, then strive to reach the same velocity using the other brass, my thinking is the node should remain the same. Am I flawed in this reasoning?

I can tell you it was chilly this morning - 30 degrees, but more than that it was windy as hell! I tried to shoot during a lull, but wasn't always successful.

So - 1) is my reasoning right concerning other cases and 2) what are some of you seeing as far as amount of Varget to be used with the 168 SMKs?

Thanks all - and remember to continue writing to your congressman in support of no new laws. The opposition will not stop and neither can we. I learned while I was in the service that when we're sleeping our enemy is training. Wake up people - get and stay actively engaged.

Here's the picture http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/...psd2633fd9.jpg

[acemisser]

I don't see how anyone can do a ladder test and see all the hits....What I do is take a larget piece of paper
and put target dots on it.Have them spaced 3 inch or so apart...It works so much more better for me..
If your shootin 5 loads you need 5 dots...Makes a lot more since I think..But what do I know...
Another thing I do is put a dot on a playing card..If you like the load,log all the info on the card
and file them for later reference...

[mugsie]

It's easy with the right scope. I was using a 4-16x and at 16 power, when the wind stopped and the barrel cooled off a little I could see the hits.

[eddiesindian]

Varget,s load charge will vary. Altitude is a big player. Seeing as how you,ve found your barrels sweet spot with Varget, then go ahead and chrono them, look for over pressure signs (IMO your ok)...It wouldnt suprise me if your running 2600-2700 fps.
Different case,s IMO can be an issue. they all share different hardness at the case mouth. Ive run different case thru my .223 and have punch,d 7rds thru the same hole with Varget @ 100...be as it may..its a .223....Im my mind, I kept all neck tension the same on my .223 using a Lee Factory crimp die.
I dont use the Lee FCD on my Model 10 308...but I do use all the same case,s (LC).
In my expierence, Ive seen a change of burn rate between lots of Varget (lately) ...your mileage may vary

[DanSavage]

One of my loads is

168 SMK
45.5 grains of Varget
Winchester case
Federal 210M primer

It's a real accurate, consistent load in my rifle. I tested up to 46.6 grains of Varget with no pressure sign's but 45.5 was the best. A while back I was using 43.7 grains for fire formed brass and 43.5 for new brass, it was a good load but not as consistent as the higher end powder charges that my rifler seems to like

[supergolfer18]

mugsie- have you found the final load? I would reshoot 45.5-46.5 and see. It appears that a node looks to be 45.5-46.0 and if 46.5 was shot with them it would confirm this for you

[DanSavage]

Couldn't figure out how to rotate it.

[DanSavage]

Just for reference, the upper node for my barrel with the 175 matchking is 44 gr. Varget, Winchester case and federal 210M primer's. Clocks in at 2650.

[CharlieNC]

I never trust one round per load; always do two and look at both the average and group size which should also reflect a node. My 223 with SMK is one of my best shooters but did not have a node. Went by group size and have been very satisfied. Yes other rifles have exhibited s node but don shoot any better.

[kelbro]

Yep, it is A way to develop loads. Not the only way but it does work quite often. Another tool in the shed.

[jsthntn247]

I would load 3 rounds at 45.2, 45.5, 45.7, 46, and 46.3 and shoot them for groups at 300. I'm going to guess that 45.7 is going to shoot best.

[mnhntr]

I would load 3 rounds at 45.2, 45.5, 45.7, 46, and 46.3 and shoot them for groups at 300. I'm going to guess that 45.7 is going to shoot best.

THIS