Load testing range

[aarolar]

So I am working on getting a rifle to start casting for and in my research I notice that most people on here are testing loads at 50yds instead of 100yds. Is there a reason for that as I have always started at 100 with Jwords out of all my rifles in the past.

[lotech]

Low velocity cast bullets, particularly those with poor ballistic coefficients, are far more susceptible to the effects of wind than are more the streamlined, higher velocity jacketed bullets. The effect of wind, of course, is greater at 100 yards than 50.

However, some cast bullet loads are concocted for short range use only; some cast bullet rifles have open sights only, making 100 yard target shooting out of the question, particularly if eyesight is not the best.

On a calm day (wind speed not over 5 mph), I find 100 yard shooting preferable, even with velocities as low as 1,300 fps, as with a .45-70 and blunt-nosed cast bullets. Group sizes will be larger than those fired at 50 yards, but they will be more meaningful.

[Nobade]

Yep, it really depends on what type of rifle and load you're working with. I shoot everything from my little #4 rolling block at 25 yards to big guns way out there. If it is designed for a certain type of competition, I'll test out to the limits of that match. Start at 200M and go out to 500M for silhouette, or more for things designed to be shot far. Just depends...

-Nobade

[TCFAN]

I split the difference,I shoot most rifles at 65 yards. A bit further than 50 and not quite as far to walk as 100 yards.If I have good groups at 65 yards then I move on out to 100 or 150 which is my home range limit.............Terry

[country gent]

I try to test out to the farthest distance the load will be used at. Cant always be done but when possible it a big confidence builder

[groovy mike]

I shoot at 50 when working up a load. Once I know that it will group enough to load more of them I take the best couple of loads and move out to 100.

[largom]

I shoot at 50 when working up a load. Once I know that it will group enough to load more of them I take the best couple of loads and move out to 100.

Same here!

Larry

[aarolar]

Thanks guys that answers my questions!

[Love Life]

3 yds for pistol and 15 yds for rifle. 'Nuff said.

[upnorthwis]

+1 for Nobade. I once thought I had a good .40-65 BPCR load when it shot great at 100 yards. At 200 yards it went to 5 MOA+. Not good enough to keep it on the chicken. 200 is now my minimum.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

3 yds for pistol and 15 yds for rifle. 'Nuff said.
LOL...
on my trip to the range, a couple days ago, I spent some time at the 7 yd area of the pistol pit, to pick up brass from the last CCW class...there were some 223/556 spent cases there also. I hope those cases fell from someone's pocket...and not shot from an AR. :evil:

I often post rifle targets that were shot from the 50 yd bench...for "iron sight rifle" shooting. Sadly that is the limit to my old eyes, and I suspect that is the same reason for some others here, who report shooting rifle from that distance.

[jonas302]

I used to test a lot at 50 but found some loads didn't prove out at 100

[DR Owl Creek]

I try to test out to the farthest distance the load will be used at. Cant always be done but when possible it a big confidence builder


This is what I normally do too.

Because my eyesight isn't what it used to be, for iron sighted rifles I usually start at 50 yards to work up my loads. After that, I move out to the 100 yard range to confirm the loads still hold up, and to check zero. Depending on the rifle, I might go out farther after that.

For scoped rifles, I work up my loads at 100 yards, and then move out to the 200 yard range to make sure the loads are still satisfactory and to check zero. After that, I go out at far as I think I might possibly ever want to shoot them, just to see how they work out.

Dave