Do You Ladder Test New Powder Lots?

[BigBoreBubba]

Just wondering what you guys do when switching powder lots. Ladder test, or load and go with your current load?

 

[jmorris]

Sometimes I just keep going, sometimes I chronograph, sometimes I get a bit more in-depth. Depends upon expectations.

 

[Varminterror]

Yes.

 

[ms6852]

Only if they do not group sub moa or moa at 200 yards, otherwise everything remains the same.

 

[Nature Boy]

If I change lots I’ll verify accuracy and speed differences and might tweak the load, but to date I’ve not seen enough of a difference to warrant a full blown load development.

Having said that, the next time I re-barrel I’m going to lay on enough powder of the same lot to last the life of the barrel. That’s just one more variable eliminated.

 

[Pottimus]

I thought I was really making improvements sticking with the same bullets and power, just so I could lump the left overs together after each match...to shoot another match...

 

[jmorris]

Only if they do not group sub moa or moa at 200 yards, otherwise everything remains the same.

Why I said, ‘depends upon expectations’, doubt he would get MOA or sub MOA with any of the firearms in his avatar at 200 yards.

 

[BigBoreBubba]

Why I said, ‘depends upon expectations’, doubt he would get MOA or sub MOA with any of the firearms in his avatar at 200 yards.

True, but those are only my handguns….. I have several sub-MOA rifles, and a good bit that will do close to MOA.

 

[FROGO207]

Usually I just drop down a couple steps and retest for accuracy and such briefly. If things are the same good. For the couple long range rifles I got enough propellant to not have to buy again.

 

[.38 Special]

Generally not. The exceptions are for "accuracy rifles" and for any load close to maximum. As I don't really play with either any more, I generally just continue on with a new lot as I had with the old.

 

[.308 Norma]

No.

 

[ParallelCode]

I typically do not; however, I do look for point of impact shifts and will do so if I observe such a shift.

 

[Blue68f100]

No, but I will drop back some on the load and work backup only if it does not match the old lot, rifle only. I've ever noticed any change in handgun ammo.

 

[Slamfire]

Stick to mid range loads, and lot to lot differences will not show up till your are past 300 yards, and maybe, not show up even further out. All depends on the target size. This is for manually operated rifles.

For the target loads in my Bullseye pistol, I want my 200 LSWC's going 740 fps or more, for 50 yard work. The bullet drifts and is unstable if it is too slow. Of course, I don't want more powder in the case, it is hard enough to work on the flinch I have, with my preferred load. And, if the gun does not function with the new powder, I will take the pistol out to the range and find out what velocity I am getting out of the tube. And adjust from there.

And this is one of the issues you get when working at low pressure loads, the problem with high pressure loads, is blowing primers and leaking primers. Mid range loads are the least troublesome.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Just wondering what you guys do when switching powder lots. Ladder test, or load and go with your current load?

Handgun, standard pressure, common loads: No.
Handgun, maximum published pressure, special loads: Yes, but it’s a short ladder.
Rifle: Yes, but a short ladder and only to check for obvious signs like extreme velocity changes or case changes from previous lot

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No I do not...

I feel it's a waste of time and components. I will load up 5 rounds and test accuracy. If the accuracy is the same or very close I call it good. (which is most times) On the outside chance accuracy is terrible I will make adjustments but it is rare. Today's powders are very consistent lot to lot so doing a full workup every time I change powder lots in not necessary IMO.

The exception is, if I'm bumping up against the max load already I will drop back slightly and work back up for safety reasons watching for pressure signs.

I try to buy at least 8lbs of rifle powder at a time and at least 4lbs of handgun powder at a time to minimize those problems. (when possible of course) I'm glad my favorite handgun powder, W231, comes in 4lb cans. Not many powders do these days.

 

[jmorris]

True, but those are only my handguns….. I have several sub-MOA rifles, and a good bit that will do close to MOA.

I understand we all have a little variety, why I didn’t answer “yes” or “no”, not enough information in the OP for me say much more than maybe/maybe not.

I have powder measures for some pistol loads that haven’t been adjusted in more than a decade, despite many different lots of the same powder through them and never noticed any difference but my expectations from them are lower than others I have. As long as they still comfortably meet power factor, I just keep on going.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I understand we all have a little variety, why I didn’t answer “yes” or “no”, not enough information in the OP for me say much more than maybe/maybe not.

I have powder measures for some pistol loads that haven’t been adjusted in more than a decade, despite many different lots of the same powder through them and never noticed any difference but my expectations from them are lower than others I have. As long as they still comfortably meet power factor, I just keep on going.

Yup. Also makes a big difference in how you use the powders. I'm still using .30-06 and .35Rem hunting ammo I put together in 2007. I still have 50 cal cans full of .30-06 on Garand clips I put together before Y2K. Still good, same as it ever was, and I have no idea which lot was used but I am pretty sure that can of IMR 4895 is long gone. I use more Bullseye and Unique than anything else and a pound still lasts me longer than the label art.

For high-volume reloaders, a pound may be a weekend trip to a minor competition ... almost. Buying in less than 8# units is a pure annoyance. For a low-volume shooter like myself (50 rounds of pistol plinkers every-other weekend, when I'm lucky enough to have time go shooting) a pound is a lot of powder and will last me a long time (7000 grains @ 3.5gr/.38Spl 148gr. HBWC or DEWC = 2000 rounds of .38Spl for 80 weekend excursions or about 3 years worth of powder and primers. But, that's just .38Spl and doesn't include 38S&W, 380, 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, 357Mag, or any of the 32's and of course rifles require more powder but also see less shooting time. I don't do mag dumps. It might take an hour to empty two revolvers.