Ran a ladder test yesterday at 500 yards pushing 195 Bergers. More than pleased with the results.





The Fireman says load up 200 rounds of #4 and get to killing. Judd wants to load 25 rounds of #1 then 25 rounds of #4, shoot 5 rounds strings with each, and if they don't shoot bug holes, seat .030" more, repeat, rinse, repeat, until we see bug holes. I think I like the Fireman method better.

Judd cannot accept a win.

"Let's check it, and check it some more."

I know good and well, load 4 is the one. I'd shoot 5 rounds at 500 yards to verify that, but I have a great idea of what the outcome will be.

No, I said load 10-15 of each...shoot groups and look at ES/SD numbers. Pick the better of the two then load up 25 and get to seating depth but in .003 increments not .030

Still impressed with that ladder.

A appreciate y’all doing all the work so I can borrow it.

I'm all ears. You two have way more experience with this than I do.




You will want this Swarvo spotter when you come pick up the Nosler as well.

I would try 87.0, 87.3 and 87.5 in 3 round groups and see at 500 yards. What are those numbers in ( ) ? 2 - 3 is another option if 4-5 do not work

Post pictures of the case heads on #4 and #5, BW. There was a reason we didn't go past #5. The other numbers in () was the number written on the brass just to keep them straight like coloring the bullet.



You're welcome If he won't give you the spotter call me, I've got one too

This ain't benchrest, dawg...

I was impressed with the Nosler

But you should post up the group from the McWhorter that no one would buy, it was as equally as impressive.

Even more impressive is how both bucked the wind from yesterday. That was crazy, they just didn't care.

So does this suggest you have a node from 85.5 to 87.5?

My interpretation...2 nodes....85.5 is the top of one node and 87 is the bottom of the next node. The paper tells one part of the story....the chronograph tells another part.

Also, as windy as it was I would've either not shot it yesterday OR would've had 2 shots per charge. This ammo had been loaded for over a month and we just hadn't hooked up to get it shot so we did the best with what we had.

Yes, but loads 4, and 5 are the best. Then you look at velocities and they flatten out at load 4 and 5, with only a 20 fps difference. It's full of powder, and doing all it can at load 4 and 5. So if it were my rifle, I would expect load 4 (87.0 gr) to be "the one". Load 5 might do well, but it's also getting close to too much presure. If I can back off max (max for this barrel, brass, and powder) just a tad, and it still shoots, I will try to run right there.

Here's where you lose me though. From a 100 yard zero, #1 at 3072 fps should have 35.73 inches of drop and #5 at 3175 fps should have 32.80" of drop. That's almost 3" of drop difference between the 2 loads. That far out, you should be impacting higher for #5 than #1, simply based on drop alone. It looks like there is some consistency from #3-#5 though.

While Chad is much much better versed in this than I, that is kinda what my curiosity was running around too. Also assuming the wind is the reasoning for the horizontal dispersion?

I was wondering where the vertical dispersion was, given the distance.

Judd answered, but the way the once shot brass was numbered. Just another way of keeping track of the loads in-case they fell out of the holder.



I will, but Chad mentioned to me on the phone that dual extractors will give you a false pressure indication. Bolt was heavy on #5, so I give you that.




I'll was impressed with both as well, and the reason I won't sell the McWhorter now. I'll post the picture tonight. I think the accuracy might get even better without virgin brass and using something more accurate than a Chargemaster to throw the charges.



Agree, but you guys have hours more range time that I do. I wouldn't discount the shooter variable and him holding the same POA for the entire ladder test either.

To many IT and Engineers types on this thread.

Is it done yet?

I take back my offer on the spotting scope.

He is not very appreciative is he. In retrospect If you want me to borrow I’m good with that

Def not saying I can shoot to compete with it, but the numbers make me scratch my head a little.

Here are 4 shots @ 500 from the McWhorter I had for sale. Virgin brass, charge from Chargemaster, and Berger 140gr VLD-H on my first run trying to duplicate the load worked up for it. Winds were 15mph gusting to 25mph when I ran this. Pretty happy no one bought it now!



Couple of more ladder tests from previous owner with the 28 Nosler:



This was his first ladder with the 28 Nosler. 180 ELD-M, Retumbo, 76.0 to 79.5 in increments of 0.7gr. 6 shots, 11" of vertical @ 760 yards




MRP with same ELD-M @ 760 yards. 6 shots, 7.5" of vertical, with 4 loads inside of 2". He thought the ELD-M is the bullet, but I bought it to run the 195s.

That 6.5 group was impressive considering the conditions

Just shoot the damm thing

Judd can use HIS method now, he can make all the barrels he wants

McWhorter rocks

I'm still not there yet Buzz...I haven't been home much this spring to work on the lathe...I'll get it though, eventually.

Sounds like too much fun!

But like you I don't have enough spare time to even attempt it!