300Win LR Gun to Ladder Test or Not.

[Glenn]

Whilst I applaud fine detail increments for small cartridges. 0.5gn increments for something that takes 70gn+ of slow burning powder is a waste of time and $$$. I can assure you that with a hunting class rifle (like the T3 varmint in 300 Win) you will not notice 0.5gn (count the number of granules this is) either way.



1gn increments are perfectly adequate.



I usually start halfway up the powder list with 5 x Cartridges loaded to get on the paper. Then increment upwards from there.

Waste of time????

I don't think so!

He went with this one!

This was done at 200 meters.
1gn increments means you could miss a node!
It could also be dangerous when you get near maximum loads!

The above load development was with a 300WM.
2213sc and 208 grain A-Max!

This load was safe in HIS gun start lower!

Glenn

[Mick]

Good one Mick. I forgot Jacko and Jeff went to the same school of reloading.

I'm not sure Jacko hasn't been abducted by aliens and replaced with a clone. I heard something from him at the Canberra Fly the other weekend that is so out of character I almost fell over. It was "I'm loading them down a bit these days. Don't wanna burn the barrel out too fast".

[Ackley Improved]

I'll stick with my 0.3 grain increments. I am pretty sure every rifle I have owned has a node in the 1 grain less than max to 1 grain over max. I am just looking for this higher node and don't care for the others less. I usually stop before I get to the max loads due to pressure. I usually shoot two ladders as well.

[justjeff]

Keith,

I'm doing the same thing with my 300 redneck at the moment. I use 0.5 grain increments, as where I am in the pressure curve 1.0 gr could be too much, too fast.

One thing you need to remember is JR, and myself, will blow the primer loose, but then we just reclaim the primer pocket and reuse the brass, you just need a monster action to do it.

Half grain increments should give you a good idea, but jam the bullets when you do it, that way when you do your seating depth test, you won't get any potential pressure issues from jammed bullets. If you can, do the tyest on a warm day too, nothing worse than having a cold weather load on a hot day.

Jeff