Do You Ladder Test?

If you don't ladder test to find a load, you'll likely never really know if you've found the best one for your rifle.
Randomly picking a load & getting good results isn't difficult with a well built rifle. But finding the BEST load for a bullet/powder combo in your rifle requires more thorough load development, IE a ladder type test.

If you're happy with "good enough", then don't bother. Pick a powder, cram a bullet on top of the kernels & take what ya get...
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I love the ladder test idea... and haven't even tried it yet... but now I would want a solid rock shooting rest system that takes ALL HUMAN ERROR out of the picture.

I hate doing and hearing this...."If I do my part"... seems like there is a rest system that is so solid that my part is only aiming and squeezing the trigger... anyone got any ideas...?
 
I read the Posted link, I see no advantage to making it into 3 separate steps requiring 50-85 shots to find a load.

Combine steps 1 (establishing Max Load) and step 2 (defining accuracy window) and waste less shots.


It's simply a matter of loading rounds for step 2 up to and possibly slightly over Max published load and quit step 2 when Pressure signs are seen. save time, save bullets, save BBl wear.

Personally I have found that it is very tedious to try to record each shot at 3-400 yards (which is about the minimum distance you would need to show definitive results). I toy with it from time to time but usually just use a traditional load development method.
 
Originally Posted By: ricky_arthurPersonally I have found that it is very tedious to try to record each shot at 3-400 yards (which is about the minimum distance you would need to show definitive results). I toy with it from time to time but usually just use a traditional load development method. Get a package of multicolor sharpie markers. Color each bullet a different color, and if you run out of colors do half of the bullet one color and the other half another color. Just make sure you shoot at a white target and it'll be obvious which bullet was in which hole. Works like a charm.
 
This intrigues me. I'm relatively new to reloading and have never heard of this method. Is this method successful at shorter ranges? The longest safe spot I have access to is about 175 yards
 
I have been reloading now for just over a year and have passively read up on the ladder test. I think I may want to give it a shot and see what happens. Especially with more premium bullets that cost a lot.

Seems like most sources I have read on this test suggest shooting at long range. Does shooting this test at long ranges have any significant effect? I would have to assume so because I never really hear of anyone saying do this test at 100 yds.
 
Yes... its a must if you are concerned about precise groups... Sure you can get accuracy with factory loads, and you don't really need an MOA group to kill a coyote, it's just takes alot of variables out of the equation if you can work a load into sub MOA, as compared to +MOA.
 
Yes - Those of you who have had a finicky rifle know how frustrating it can be to find the right load combo. This ladder test will save you tons of time.
 
Originally Posted By: wyomanYes - Those of you who have had a finicky rifle know how frustrating it can be to find the right load combo. This ladder test will save you tons of time.

My rifle is far from finicky. Why waste powder and bullets to find the most efficient load? The ladder finds the sweet spot in one trip.

I don't think the rifles built for 1K match aren't too finicky either.
 
Originally Posted By: knockemdownIf you don't ladder test to find a load, you'll likely never really know if you've found the best one for your rifle.
Randomly picking a load & getting good results isn't difficult with a well built rifle. But finding the BEST load for a bullet/powder combo in your rifle requires more thorough load development, IE a ladder type test.

If you're happy with "good enough", then don't bother. Pick a powder, cram a bullet on top of the kernels & take what ya get...
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I agree.
 
Before I started ladder testing, I probably sold a rifle or two that I deemed "inaccurate" when in reality, I probably just didn't find the right load for them.

It is amazing the "Zen" you'll feel when you watch 1 shot after another shoot into the same hole. Then you know, that is the load for this gun.

Without it, you're shooting in the dark so to speak. With it, you'll know for sure.
 
Originally Posted By: knockemdown READ this

AND THIS

The guy who wrote the above articles is someone to heed advice from...
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GREAT article. I've only read one but it answered my question perfectly! Thanks for sharing. I will now go read the other one
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I did my first ladder test today. I am not sure what my group tells me. I would appreciate any feedback on how to interpret my results. Here is the recipe I used:

Savage Model 12 22-250
Powder: Varget
Primer: WLR
Brass: Remington
Bullet: .224 Midsouth Varmint Nightmare (w/canellure) 55gr.

According to Lyman manual min load is 34 and max is 37.

I loaded up 11 rounds at .3 grain increments starting at min and going up to max.

This was shot at 200 yards, calm conditions, 48 degrees.

Its seems very random to me.

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I believe you need to shoot 3 rounds of each load... and shoot at least 300 yds... because if I understand the ladder test... your looking for around 3 good groups that are similar... and then you choose the middle load of those three groups.

I think that's right..haven't tried it myself... but I don't think you can tell anything with only one shot per load.

Maybe somebody will chime in with better understanding
 
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