Load Development with Ladder Test

[AAJones]

How many of you use the ladder test when working up a new load? Have you found this to be effective in determining the "Most Accurate " load for your rifles. What yardage have you found to be most effective when performing the ladder test. I was thinking about setting up for 300 yrds. I will be testing loads for 257Wby, 300Wby, 7mm-08, and 308 to start with.

 

[gregj]

I'm going through that process now for my AR. Here is my recent thread on it. There are a couple of great links to how to do a ladder test in that thread. I'm limited to 100yds where I shoot, and it makes the ladder a little difficult to read, but can be done. 200yds would be ideal for me. If you go longer, just make sure you have enough paper to catch all the rounds.

 

[AAJones]

I was planning to use butcher paper so that I have plenty of vertical room.

 

[Dthunter]

I use a large Pallet with cardboard to give me a six to eight foot target.

The distance I use for a ladder test is 500 yards for standard hunting calibers.
For long range I go to 800 yards. At this distance your vertical dispersion is much more pronounced and easier to figure out the best load.