So I decided to try my luck at a ladder test.

[grubbylabs]

The first picture shows my results.
Tikka T3 light. .243 85 grain Sierra Game King.
IMR 4831. 300 yards.


This second picture is a group I did with 45.5 grains of IMR 4831. 300 yards.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Hate to play the noob here, but what exactly is a "ladder test"? I stick mostly to pistol caliber reloading. Thanks in advance!

 

[bob4]

Hate to play the noob here, but what exactly is a "ladder test"? I stick mostly to pistol caliber reloading. Thanks in advance!

Let google be your friend.

http://www.gunsandtactics.com/performing-the-ladder-test

 

[Rule3]

You load a bunch of rounds with different powder loads and find out how bad a shooter you are.

Find out which loads shoot the best,

 

[grubbylabs]

Hey now, let's not go there.

 

[Rule3]

Hey now, let's not go there.

It was for Bob or anyone else, not you. Another "buzz" word is "load development" I find that more official sounding than "chutes and ladders"

Then the next time out with the perfect load, the Sun was in my eyes or it was windy.

Heck I can't see 100 yards let alone 300!!

 

[grubbylabs]

I did not take it personal. As you can see, I proved your statement right.

 

[Bart B.]

'Tis my opinion that the biggest flaw in ladder tests is the shooter assuming a single shot with a given load represents the center of a group with several of them.

I wonder where a 10-shot group with each of those loads would center at?

And what would their sizes be?

 

[MtnCreek]

44.2 - 45.9 seem to stay in the same general area. If I'm looking at it right, your 45.5 groups has a lot of vertical. I would probably be looking somewhere between 44 and 45. JMHO.

 

[Dudedog]

You load a bunch of rounds with different powder loads and find out how bad a shooter you are.

LOL

 

[AnselHazen]

'Tis my opinion that the biggest flaw in ladder tests is the shooter assuming a single shot with a given load represents the center of a group with several of them.

I wonder where a 10-shot group with each of those loads would center at?

And what would their sizes be?

Isn't that the next step? Take what looks like the most promising and load up 10. Then maybe try 50 if it goes well.

 

[bob4]

Isn't that the next step? Take what looks like the most promising and load up 10. Then maybe try 50 if it goes well.

It would be my next step.

 

[GBExpat]

I never run "ladder tests" at long range.

I would rather it be a test of the loads more than of my eyesight.

For me, initial testing at ~7yds for pistols and ~25yds for rifles. Once I identify some good candidates, I test them at longer distances.