Would You Ladder Test 55gr .223 In 15 mph Wind?

Hi All-

@100 yds, what are your thoughts? I am looking to compare accuracy, not velocity.

 

No.

 

Not for accuracy. Too many variables in wind.

 

No

 

The question is, would you? A 15 mph wind will test the shooter more than the load.

 

I've got good trigger control, and a sled; but I'm trying to talk myself into the wind thing. First rifle loads, and we have to reserve range time weeks in advance. Of course the first chance of rain/wind in over 6 months.

 

If it was a crosswind no. If it was a headwind maybe. If the wind is to your back yes.

 

Using an online ballistics calculator and garden-variety parameters for a 55 grain 223 bullet, I get wind drift of 1-1.5 inches at 100 yards with a constant 90 degree 15mph crosswind. I would not let this bother me for a ladder test, since you are only looking at the vertical separation between shots and are, for the most part, ignoring windage errors. I have never done a ladder test where the bullet holes made a nice, neat vertical line.

Tim

 

Good points gentlemen. At the range, the wind only blows in 2 directions, because it faces a mountain: to my back, or 90 degrees from the east. Maybe I'll be lucky tomorrow.

 

If wind is a common thing yes. If another calm day was available I would pass. A constant onshore breeze is different than shifting winds. In the high desert where I shoot often I never know what to expect.

 

Yes, I would. Assuming one could just get on with it and shoot them in the same conditions, more or less. It also gives a good chance to see the wind drift, even at a hundred yards.
With a side wind, good rest and shooting, any windage variation would be from the wind and any elevation variance can be used to determine load accuracy.
More importantly, you would be out shooting in it and seeing what happens. Invaluable for that alone.

As a single dad, ignoring the wind helps me keep range days that are few and getting farther between now.
Nothing worse than perfectly prepping a hundred cases, seating and measuring and reseating a hundred weighed and sorted bullets on hand trickled and weighed to the fifth of a grain charges, just to have a gorgeous sunny day blow it all away.
If your range has fairly predictable winds, I’d go.
Swirling, blustery days are another, but, that’s weather, whether you like it or no!

I’d at least go and bring a pistol.

 

I did go, and brought pistols. Luckily, the wind was 15mph straight to my back, until i was done. Thanks everyone!

 

It is said that a 6:00 wind has no value except vertical.
This chart was given to me by short range world record holder Rick Graham

 

Yeah, no value is what I wanted. No wind would've been better, but I got real results. Done w/that ladder.

 

A single shot incremental test is tough, I assume you test with good flags .

Post a picture of the test please

 

The winner was 27.1gr

 

Disregard please

 

I thought you were going to do a ladder test.

My understanding of a ladder test is you make 15-20 shots all on the same target, aiming at the same spot, with ammo that increases in powder weight by a tenth or two. After you're done you should have an up/down line of bullet holes where you can check for sweet spots with low vertical separation.

Tim

 

I’m not familiar with your method of load development....
Correct me if I’m wrong, you are group shooting in powder increments at different points of aim ( separate target) ?
Are these targets set in a horizontal format ?
How are you determining the best powder charge?
Location?
size ?
Shape ?
Speed?
Did you test using wind flags?

 

Will you be testing further or are you satisfied with the results as posted?

 

Was there any barrel cool down between groups?

 

Yep, got this: https://magnetospeed.com/products/riflekuhl

 

I'm good with this round, unless I get drastically different results with varget.