When working up a load - The Firearms Forum

Bowsage · 11-24-2011, 06:51 AM

Is their a disadvantage in shooting at 15 yds. as opposed to 25yds. when working up a load? Other than more pronounced group spread?

JLA · 11-24-2011, 07:52 AM

the further out the shooting is, the easier it is to interpret the results.

At such a close distance EVERYTHIG is liable to shoot into the same hole. Makes it real hard to decide which charge was the most accurate..

carver · 11-24-2011, 07:56 AM

It's the pronounced group spread that you are looking for, and hoping to delete!

cpttango30 · 11-24-2011, 08:28 AM

What are you loading for?

The only thing I shoot at 25 or less is my pistols. 21 feet for my 45acp most of the time.

My centerfire rifles might start out at 50 to get them on paper then it is straight back to 100+ for the real testing.

steve4102 · 11-24-2011, 08:34 AM

When testing handgun loads, I shoot at 25 yards off a bench and bag. Well, most of the time, the the winter months my gravel pits get snowed in and I have to improvise. Sometimes I can only get to 20 yards.

Bowsage · 11-24-2011, 09:39 PM

Loading 45 Colt............Thanks I'm moving out to 25

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 11-25-2011, 02:33 PM

For pistols and shotgun, unless you live in a mansion or have a REALLY long hallway, 15yrds is the farthest you would want to go. For rifles/carbines, 50+ yards is optimal and best (except if you want/need to train for close quarters encounters).

JLA · 11-25-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosin_Nagant_Fan

For pistols and shotgun, unless you live in a mansion or have a REALLY long hallway, 15yrds is the farthest you would want to go. For rifles/carbines, 50+ yards is optimal and best (except if you want/need to train for close quarters encounters).

For practical shooting practices and training purposes you are correct. But for accurate load development a little distance is your friend..

Chinook · 11-25-2011, 04:35 PM

Yeah for sure. For everything rifle that my dad and his friends develop... We shoot @ 200 yds. .45 ACP, I do the same as cptango basically...20-30 ft.

11-24-2011, 06:51 AM	#1
Bowsage Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 15	When working up a load Is their a disadvantage in shooting at 15 yds. as opposed to 25yds. when working up a load? Other than more pronounced group spread? -->

11-24-2011, 07:52 AM	#2
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,321	Re: When working up a load the further out the shooting is, the easier it is to interpret the results. At such a close distance EVERYTHIG is liable to shoot into the same hole. Makes it real hard to decide which charge was the most accurate.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

11-24-2011, 07:56 AM	#3
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,295	Re: When working up a load It's the pronounced group spread that you are looking for, and hoping to delete! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

11-24-2011, 08:28 AM	#4
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: When working up a load What are you loading for? The only thing I shoot at 25 or less is my pistols. 21 feet for my 45acp most of the time. My centerfire rifles might start out at 50 to get them on paper then it is straight back to 100+ for the real testing. Last edited by cpttango30; 11-24-2011 at 08:30 AM..

11-24-2011, 08:34 AM	#5
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: When working up a load When testing handgun loads, I shoot at 25 yards off a bench and bag. Well, most of the time, the the winter months my gravel pits get snowed in and I have to improvise. Sometimes I can only get to 20 yards.

11-24-2011, 09:39 PM	#6
Bowsage Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 15	Re: When working up a load Loading 45 Colt............Thanks I'm moving out to 25

11-25-2011, 02:33 PM	#7
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,832	Re: When working up a load For pistols and shotgun, unless you live in a mansion or have a REALLY long hallway, 15yrds is the farthest you would want to go. For rifles/carbines, 50+ yards is optimal and best (except if you want/need to train for close quarters encounters). __________________ Long Gun Collection: M38 Mosin-Nagant Carbine Russian 1950 SKS Winchester 1300 20Ga Western Field Single-Shot 16Ga Sears Ranger .22S-L-LR Bolt-Action Rifle Marlin 795 Semi-Auto (Brother's) Handgun Collection: Springfield Armory XD9 Service

11-25-2011, 04:35 PM	#9
Chinook V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: 17 pulls, into the propwash... Contributor Posts: 423	Re: When working up a load Yeah for sure. For everything rifle that my dad and his friends develop... We shoot @ 200 yds. .45 ACP, I do the same as cptango basically...20-30 ft.