Optimum Distance for Load Testing

[260 Rem]

Lets not make this an "arguing" thread ...just a "this is what I do...and why". What distance do you prefer for load development...why?

For centerfire rifle, my preference is 100M. For rimfire rifle (brand testing), I prefer 50M.
I choose these distances because I know that my "control" of bullet path ends as it exits the barrel. Wind can always play a factor and since I develop loads over a period of days, conditions vary. Also at SPFGA, the prevailing westerly wind seems to funnel "face on" along the burm closest to the 100M boards.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I like initial load development for a hunting rifle done at 100m....then proof the load at 200 and 300 and zero at 200m.

22 get zeroed at 50m and the .17hmr at 100m....

LC

[H380]

Get it on the paper at 25yds . Then work a group at 100 , finally zero at 250 .

[densa44]

I get it on the paper and keep moving back. 200M is the farthest I need to go.

[kaleh01]

I do all my load development for my guns with the exception of the thumpers (416 Ruger and 45-70) at 300m. Heck, I even printed two 1 MOA groups with the 416 and 400gr Tsx at 300 in the same day.

If you truly want to know the grouping of a load, 300m is where it's at for me. I just found that 100m development didn't tell me enough about what the loads were really capable of. They were all so close, but move them out to 300m and you can see the difference if your capable of solid shooting.

It's also a great skill-builder at the same time.

[twofifty]

good point.

[260 Rem]

I'm simply too impatient to wait for the wind to test at 300M...besides, I don't have any wind flags. At 100M, I pay pretty close attention to group shape...a bit of horizontal string, maybe my hold...a bit of vertical string, maybe velocity difference. I always shoot 5 shot groups to test loads and when I think I am getting close....shoot multiple groups with the same load. Hunting rifles (that are not 30-30) zeroed at 200M.

[Ivo]

I do all of my load testing at 300m, it gives a better indication of what is going on with your load making it easier to fine tune.

While the wind can be an issue I make sure I am set up and ready to shoot by about 7am(during the summer months). This gives me a few hours before the winds usually start to pick up and then load testing is done.

[Pathfinder76]

200yds

[Dean2]

Centrefire load development is done at 200 yards. Tested there after out to 800. All centre fires are set to 3.5" high at 100, no matter what the gun or caliber. That way I never have to guess or try to remember where the gun will hit at normal hunting ranges of 50 to 350 yards, just point and shoot. For long distance I have mildot reticules with drop charts taped to the stock.

[elkhunter11]

I do initial load testing with my centerfires at 100 yards, and then I move out farther to finalize the testing. I sight in my centerfires depending on the scope being used. For BDC reticles, I zero at 200 yards, for my scopes with turrets, I zero at 100 yards, and dial from there.

[HunterDave]

100M for load development for two reasons. There is less chance of the environment effecting my shots and it's not as far to walk to put up and take down my targets.....lol.

[Mike_W]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I do initial load testing with my centerfires at 100 yards, and then I move out farther to finalize the testing. I sight in my centerfires depending on the scope being used. For BDC reticles, I zero at 200 yards, for my scopes with turrets, I zero at 100 yards, and dial from there.

X2

[Thunder/FX]

I'm with Hunter Dave on that one all the way!
x3

[savage shooter]

200 yards is better for load development. I find that a lot of my rifles group within 1" at 200 yards and yet only 1" at 100 yards. I think this is because Leupold scopes are set parallax free at 150 yards...

No need to run after targets. Spotting scope can see bullet holes just fine at 200 and 300 yards.

After testing for good groups at 200 yards, I find it necessary to test for actual bullet drop to 300 yards in each rifle as the ballistics tables are ALWAYS totally wrong.

[tchardy1972]

Load development and initial tuning is done at 200. Then stretch it out to make sure there is no vertical. 200 is not far enough for wind to matter that much. All your doing is finding a node the tuning the vertical out the off to the races.

[catnthehat]

I do the majority of my load development at 100 yards for my hunting rifles.
I then zero them at 200 ad check the zero at 100 after the load s worked up.
For my match rifles , I used to do my load develpment at 200 or 200.
Cat

[DaleJ]

Distance for load development is whatever you have at hand to use. If you only have 100 yds it will do. 100 yds is a good test for the rifle, 200 yds is a good test for rifle and shooter, 300 yds is a good test for rifle, shooter, and long range potential of the combo.

If it won't shoot at 100 yds there's no point in going further until problems are resolved. If it shoots one hole groups at 100 its time to stretch the range.

[bulletman]

I have had the privilege recently to try Dale JENSEN'S CHINCHAGA bullets! I must say they are definitely worth a try. No need to purchase a COOPER to attain best-of your-life groups. A good Model 700 will ''SHOOT BEYOND BELIEF'' with Dale's bullets. Sometimes when I approach my target I can't believe my eyes. And I'm old, people!

[260 Rem]

What DaleJ said X2. Unfortunately for me, I'm limited to 300M. I think it is easy to underestimate wind drift. Just looking at a windage chart for a 308 Federal 168 BTHP Match
100yds 200yds 300yds
0.4" //// 1.5" //// 3.7" ----- 5MPH
0.8 //// 3.1 //// 7.4 ------10MPH
I sometimes wonder if I will even notice a 2.5 mph variation which, if shooting the bullet above, could result in a 3/4" POI change at 200 yds.

[209x50]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

What DaleJ said X2. Unfortunately for me, I'm limited to 300M. I think it is easy to underestimate wind drift. Just looking at a windage chart for a 308 Federal 168 BTHP Match
100yds 200yds 300yds
0.4" //// 1.5" //// 3.7" ----- 5MPH
0.8 //// 3.1 //// 7.4 ------10MPH
I sometimes wonder if I will even notice a 2.5 mph variation which, if shooting the bullet above, could result in a 3/4" POI change at 200 yds.

I know that since I started using a wind meter religiously I've learned that I vastly over estimated wind on the range. 10mph is a BIG blow.
I like 300 yards for developing a load.

[DaleJ]

Here's a couple groups shot last summer with a 6.5-284 match rifle. 088 (800x598).jpg





089 (800x598).jpg

200 m group is okay, so I moved to 500 m steel. 500 m steel was okay so I took rifle to one-mile shoot. Had a wonderful time at the one mile shoot. If you are shooting great groups at a given range its time to stretch your range.

[bulletman]

Correction on the spelling of Dale's name! iT'S JANZEN!

[Metalmike123]

I am comfortable at 100 yards as a benchmark, gives me a good idea for the distances I shoot (200-300 yards max)

[6.5x47 lapua]

Originally Posted by bulletman

I have had the privilege recently to try Dale JENSEN'S CHINCHAGA bullets! I must say they are definitely worth a try. No need to purchase a COOPER to attain best-of your-life groups. A good Model 700 will ''SHOOT BEYOND BELIEF'' with Dale's bullets. Sometimes when I approach my target I can't believe my eyes. And I'm old, people!

let me guess 168 grain uld,s and retumbo in a 7mm mag

[wolf308]

hunting rifles and flat base type bullets i do 100 yards.

boat tails and target rifles 200 yards.

[6.5x47 lapua]

Originally Posted by tchardy1972

Load development and initial tuning is done at 200. Then stretch it out to make sure there is no vertical. 200 is not far enough for wind to matter that much. All your doing is finding a node the tuning the vertical out the off to the races.

x2.