| Posted: Mon Nov 9th, 2009 02:54 PM |
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GarethM
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I was trying to take some of the work out of deciding what to load up for a ladder test and am starting to build myself a template. (You just need to change minimum/maximum loads and velocities to recalcylate).
Data is taken from the most recent Vhitavouri manual.
I have doubts about the calculation for the anticipated velocity and would greatly welcome any pointers in the right direction
Kind regards
Gareth
Attachment: Ladder Test.zip (Downloaded 108 times) Last edited on Mon Nov 9th, 2009 02:55 PM by GarethM
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| Posted: Mon Nov 9th, 2009 03:04 PM |
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miestro_jerry
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Gareth,
This is a good way to keep track of your reloading. I started doing that a long time before P.C.s by hand.
Records of your loads should contain any notes from the firing range, as well as information about cartridge cases involved.
Your post maybe a sticky. 
Jerry
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| Posted: Wed Nov 11th, 2009 03:32 AM |
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oldvet
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You might check out the reloading record described by John Wooters in The Complete Reloader (ppg 175-178). He obviously designed and printed the form he used on a computer, but he took with him to the range, so the entries are hand-written... A little bit of both worlds. For the techno-geek, it would be no problem to transcribe the written to the computer, with the hand-written for backup. The PC allows for easy searches, etc.
If you don't have a copy, and can not find his book on the store shelves, you might check out your local library - that's where I found the copy I'm referring to.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 12th, 2009 08:13 AM |
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GarethM
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oldvet wrote: You might check out the reloading record described by John Wooters in The Complete Reloader (ppg 175-178).
Thanks for this, had a search on Google for the book, but couldn't find any entries listed for this country, might have to get a copy imported.
I am intending to add extra fields to make it more compatible with a reloading log (and will post back).
Gareth
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20th, 2009 02:02 PM |
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GarethM
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Getting closer
Have set the print area to cover the bits needed to take to the range
Gareth
Attachment: Ladder Test.zip (Downloaded 23 times)
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| Posted: Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 08:19 PM |
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Skeeterx
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Hmmm...very interesting. Keep us up to speed on your progress!
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 01:54 PM |
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GarethM
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Hi,
The spreadsheet worked very well for the loading session as it took the guess work and manual calculations away.
Got to the range on Sunday and realised when I got out of the car that I had forgotten to add weather conditions to the spreadsheet And there was a fair bit of weather that day. Wind was blowing right to left and was nearly pulling the flag off the flag pole (at least 30 mph + gusting as well). The warden wouldn't let us put the larger targets out as the wind was too strong for them.
Put the target up at 300 yrds and decided to use the Vit N540 as I have never tried it before. Unfortunately the chronograph gave up the ghost after the fouling shots, but I did get back a very useful target. Found two nice "sweet spots" 39.6 - 40.3 grns and 42.9 - 43.6 grns
I was very surprised by the vertical difference between min and max loads, in this case about 30 inches.
This has been quite a valuable lesson (including explaining to everyone what I was doing). Now to do the N140 (and N150 if I can find some)
Gareth
Attachment: 2009_11_23 308 155grns N540 300yds Best 1.jpg (Downloaded 170 times)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 23rd, 2009 01:55 PM |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27th, 2009 11:53 PM |
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TnTom
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what is a ladder test? Tried to open the spreadsheet but the "xlsx" wouldnt open.
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GarethM
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TnTom,
The way I understand it (and I could be very wrong here)...
It is a test where you only change one variable at a time (in this case powder measure), shoot at the same aim point and look for where the vertical spread between rounds is at it's minimum (the "sweet spot"). This gives you a charge amount for that powder that you know is quite forgiving if you charge slightly over/under (within the range) and will give you the least dispersion.
Once you have that powder range, you can start tweaking the other variables and refining your powder charges.
I have added an "xls" version of the spreadsheet to the zip file, hope this works, if not send me a PM
Gareth
Attachment: Ladder Test.zip (Downloaded 13 times)
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TnTom
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GarethM wrote: TnTom,
The way I understand it (and I could be very wrong here)...
It is a test where you only change one variable at a time (in this case powder measure), shoot at the same aim point and look for where the vertical spread between rounds is at it's minimum (the "sweet spot"). This gives you a charge amount for that powder that you know is quite forgiving if you charge slightly over/under (within the range) and will give you the least dispersion.
Once you have that powder range, you can start tweaking the other variables and refining your powder charges.
I have added an "xls" version of the spreadsheet to the zip file, hope this works, if not send me a PM
Gareth
Thanks Gareth,
It opened just fine. I see you have really put a lot of work into this spreadsheet. What is your sample size for any load that you choose? The targets were a little hard to see but I get the general idea.
What I do as a practice for any new load is to start with the middle velocity based on the data in my manual for a specific powder and build ten rounds. I load another 5 rounds at the next lesser powder charge and the same for the next higher charge.
The results based on group size tells me which direction to go. I may or may not adjust looking at the best group and build my drop chart based on the average velocity for the best group size.
Thanks for the spreadsheet. Have you considered linking the sheets and make yourself a main page? Consider the charting capabilites of excel also. It can add some excellent visual aid.
again good job
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GarethM
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TnTom wrote What is your sample size for any load that you choose?
Thanks for the spreadsheet. Have you considered linking the sheets and make yourself a main page? Consider the charting capabilites of excel also. It can add some excellent visual aid.
Thank you for this and your suggestion. I am very rusty on Excel, that last time I used it in anger, Excel 97 had just been released  . But the winter should give me some time to practice.
I chose to use 1 round per increment for the test, but am not too sure what to use for the test. I have read articles recommending 3 rounds, 5 rounds, 7 rounds and 10 rounds.
So I am going to prevaricate and test the N140 while I make my mind up also try to see where I was going wrong with the chrony.
Gareth
Last edited on Thu Dec 3rd, 2009 03:29 PM by GarethM
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TnTom
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GarethM wrote: TnTom wrote What is your sample size for any load that you choose?
Thanks for the spreadsheet. Have you considered linking the sheets and make yourself a main page? Consider the charting capabilites of excel also. It can add some excellent visual aid.
Thank you for this and your suggestion. I am very rusty on Excel, that last time I used it in anger, Excel 97 had just been released . But the winter should give me some time to practice.
I chose to use 1 round per increment for the test, but am not too sure what to use for the test. I have read articles recommending 3 rounds, 5 rounds, 7 rounds and 10 rounds.
So I am going to prevaricate and test the N140 while I make my mind up also try to see where I was going wrong with the chrony.
Gareth
Gareth,
Calling on my 40 years in the manufacturing industry (giving away too much now) the average of any sample becomes more accurate as the sample size grows. For the purpose of working up loads I have found that a sample of 10 to be adequate. If the first 5 are exceptionally good stop there. Now that violates the rules of good statistical process control but it will get you shooting some good groups (and maybe save a few cents in the process.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 23rd, 2009 02:53 PM |
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GarethM
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Shot the 2nd part of the test at the weekend. The weather was great but the shooting was terrible. In fact the targets were so bad, I couldn't glean any useful information from them apart from:- I should have Range Officer and saved some money
- I will have to repeat the exercise in the new year
Will keep you posted
Merry Xmas and happy new year to everyone
Gareth
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