what range to target to develop loads

[rstbkt69]

Its a Krieger 1:8, 28 inch Medium Palma profile set on a KRG WC3 Chassis. I have the Berger VLDs Sierra SMK's and Hornady Match. Just wanting to try these 3. This usage of components is part of the fun for me. The barrel will need to season anyway so what better way then gathering data. Norma brass and H4350 put together with forster dies. I am not new to reloading but new to precision shooting. The 600 yard distance distance limitation is there only because that is longest lane at the local range. I will push it out to 1000 later on but realisticly I cant perform at that distance at this point. I consistantly practice the 308 at 100 and know where the bullet goes at 200. Anything further was holding ove at steel gongs just to see if I can ring it. nothing else

[Ahhnother8]

Its a Krieger 1:8, 28 inch Medium Palma profile set on a KRG WC3 Chassis. I have the Berger VLDs Sierra SMK's and Hornady Match. Norma brass and H4350 put together with forster dies.

With all of the above, if your gunsmith does his job, your worst groups should be around 3/4". It should be pretty easy to get under 1/2". Your best groups will be limited by your benchrest abilities. Then it's time to get out and shoot with one of the groups that compete at mid to long-range.

[rstbkt69]

Yep, Im pretty sure the only limitation on this will be me. Bench work and reloading. I have two strikes against me already. LOL. I was just hesitant to even bother with 100 yards because of what the bullet will do out further even with enviromental factors Calculated or almost non existant on calm days. But 100 yds in the first stages of load development would be much esier if it is practical.

[Whiterabbit]

So Is it safe to say that if I were to have 10 incremental powder charges and three different bullets, That shooting at a 100 yard target could help narrow down the loads to say 3 or 4 Charges for each bullet. Then I could take those loads that were determined to have the better velocities and tighter groups out to 200 or 300 and from there pick a few to start shooting at my 300 td zero and start working up .... at that point?
Great input! thanks

This is exactly what I was saying when I said multiple ranges. As an example, if I wanted to shoot, say, 223 at 300 yards (I'm just pulling numbers here, don't beat me up), my load data might say 24 grains max for powder, and I might want ot try a 30% spread on powder because maybe it's a new bullet for me, or a new powder, something I am unfamiliar with. That's a 7 grain spread!

So I might load up 10 rounds of 24 grain, 23 grain, 22, grain, etc down to 18 grains. That's 70 rounds, and there's a really good chance that 55 of those rounds won't even be on paper at 200 or 300 yards! Unless I had a REALLY big paper!

So I start at 100, and pick the winners to redevelop at .5 or .2 grain intervals, depending on the results. When the groups really start tightening up, I start taking it out to the distances I want to develop at.

Now, if my original spread would all be on paper at my chosen distance, it would be a no brainer, that distance would be the alpha and omega for my development.

But nicer to see my groups tighten up at 100 then take it out, than to be off paper except for that one load. I may as well be shooting a gong at that point, right?

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This is just what I do. I'm not an authority nor do I have 50 years experience under my belt.

[rstbkt69]

LOL. Hey you did didn't you. I just didnt cipher it correctly. Me and Jethro Bodine were buddies in the third grade.