Today’s article isn’t going to be another step-by-step on how to do load development. You can find that information mostly anywhere. This article will discuss the science of short-range load development vs. long-range. I know I probably just opened Pandora’s Box, but here we go.

Have you ever heard somebody say, “I’m testing at 300+ yards, and my group size is horrible? Can anyone tell me what’s wrong?” Yes, I can — keep reading.

Unfortunately, I hear similar statements like that on an almost daily basis. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up. The people making that statement are certainly not unintelligent; they simply don’t understand the science of short-range load development. I cannot fault them for that.

To my knowledge, there is only one other article addressing this issue. It is buried so deep in another shooting site that I could not find it. I know it is there, but I grew frustrated and gave up after about 15 minutes of searching.

(You would think that after the gentleman took his time writing an excellent article. The website would take two minutes to make it searchable. But it is what it is.)

You would be hard-pressed to find any current or former national champions who started their load development at long range. Even the ELR shooters (Extreme Long-Range) begin testing at shorter ranges.

What’s the problem with beginning load development at long range?

It’s simple; you add many variables that can affect your group’s size on target and dirty up your results. Those lousy group sizes at those distances may have very little to do with your ammunition or rifle.

Here is a short list off the top of my head of what you inadvertently added into the mix:

Wind
Bullet Drop
Spindrift
Coriolis Effect
Temperature/Humidity

In short, I would advise against initial load development at a distance. It’s equivalent to climbing up to the top of a stairway. Instead of using one step at a time, you decide to pole vault toward the top. Afterward, you wonder why you’re lying down on your back and your head hurts.

What is the science of short-range loan development?

For a start, your list of potential snags has shrunk dramatically. Identifying and eliminating any accuracy issues is much easier when you test at a short range. Reducing the number of variables makes weeding things out much less of a dilemma. Now you are not looking at a whole bunch of data that doesn’t make much sense,

I know what you’re going to say now, “Just because it performs well at short range, that doesn’t mean it is going to shoot at a distance.” Right, when your rifle is drilling a little hole at 100 yards, it’s time to launch some artillery and stretch its legs out.”

“If it won’t shoot at 100 yards. It’s not going to shoot well at a thousand.”

You should be pleasantly surprised with the results if you did your homework early on. Chances are you might have to make some adjustments, but likely they will only be minor.

I have never had any of my competition rifles that performed well at close range that couldn’t hold their own at a match. It is entirely up to you how you want to approach load development. I am merely trying to make your time more productive and less frustrating.

If you heed my advice and do your load development at a short range, you will most likely cut your time in half. Keep in mind it’s not voodoo; it’s the science of short-range load development.

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