I've tried the ladder test once before, and unfortunately I didn't get much from the results. I thought I'd give it one more shot on a different rifle. This time I tested out a new 6.5x55AI I had IT&D build.

It's a Remington 700 SS action that I picked up here on the Fire, and I had Dave screw it all together for me as well as provide the barrel. The barrel is a Douglas SS Air-Guaged, 1:8" twist, No. 2 contour, finished at 23" with a 1.5" shank. Right now it's sitting in a cheapo plastic ADL stock while I wait on my new KS Edge stock from McMillan. Up top I have a set of Talley LWs and a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 with the LRD.

After I got it bolted together, I loaded up a couple of rounds for it. Paul had been kind enough to send me some brass (including some Lapua that was already fireformed), so I loaded up the Lapua with 120gr Barnes TTSXs and loads of Ramshot Hunter ranging from 49.4grs to 52grs in increments of .2grs. I shoot a similar load in my 260AI, only with the 120gr Amax instead of the TTSX, and since they have a pretty similar H2O capacity, I knew I would be pretty close.

Unfortunately I didn't take the chrono, so no velocities yet, but I did start to get some slight ejector marks around the 51.6gr mark, though no other pressure signs, and they weren't real consistent. 51.6 had a mark, but 52 didn't for example.

I also loaded up some fireform rounds with 48grs of Ramshot Hunter under a 120gr Amax. The first 5 shots out of the barrel hovered right around an 1" to 1 1/4" at 100. After I figured I had the barrel fouled a little, I turned to the 300yrd line.

Here's the results (squares are 2"x2")...



There are 5 shots in there that aren't labeled. Those were the 51.2-52gr loads. Unfortunately it was getting dark and my target was getting fairly swiss-cheesed, so I had trouble plotting where those landed, plus I was running out of time.

I'd say the cluster from the labeled 50.8 south to 51.0 grains, plus the 5 that aren't labeled, appear to show some good promise...

Looks to me like 50.8 grains until 52.0 grains (7 shots) are all in about 2 to 2 1/2 inches...

Pretty dang good promise...

That's about what I did with the new .260. My ladder showed promise and I loaded up 3 5 shot groups and reshot at 300.

The first group was so good I stopped and pulled the rest and sighted her in. From ground zero to a zeroed hunting load in less than 15 rounds.

I'm pretty pleased with the way it's shooting, that's for sure. Not that it really matters, but I'm curious to run it through the chrono and see what I'm getting. If I'm in the 3100-3200 range I'll be very happy. If not, oh well, it shoots.

3100 to 3200 with the 120 TTSX will do an awful lot of killing...

How far off lands were you?

I had better results with two shot groups, .5g Increment change in powder charge, than the ladder test...probably the wind that day.

Touching, but not jammed. Bolt closes easily.

Glad the new stick is shooting. It'll get better.

Ladder test, more precisely from years back.. Audette, as in Creighton for those in the know....(and one of my shooting mentors here in TX started shooting WITH Creighton....)..... anyway the Audette test is kick azz if folks understand how to use it and utilize it etc......

Jeff

I've seen Douglas go 100/150 rounds before they start to really work.
Your getten there.

dave

I know a lot of people poop on Douglas, but the two I've owned have been excellent shooters.

Looks like you got a keeper Dan. I've got a 26" Douglas in 7 rem mag on a 700. Its a hole poker. I'd use another without a second thought.

Douglas barrels are not lapped.
I called them and asked them about it once along time ago.
Guy told me that if you buttoned it right,you didnt need to lap it.
Thats what he said.
Hes in the business of making barrels.
Im in the business of shooting barrels.
So I really dont care one way or the other.
I've had several and found that a break in, seems to help the barrel to foul less down the road.
Less fouling means less cleaning and thats a good thing in my book.
Everyone i've had was on a hunting rifle and I've found them to shoot just as good if not better than just about everyones.
dave

I've shot out a few douglas over the years. They never have held a candle to better brands. I got talked into one on a build a year or so ago. So far it would be ok, IF it would quit shooting 2/1 groups.... and its a mag so it doesn't have long barrel life.

I"ll say this, for 100 bucks or so difference, considering the cost of the whole deal when rebarreling.... the last 2 tubes have been Rock and I have not looked back yet... When you put a douglas on and you have to work to find moa maybe... and then put a rock on and the first groups are well under an inch... and get down to the 2s at 100.... nuff said for me.

I still hope I can figure out my last douglas, but I don't hold much faith at this point.

For me the barrel choice wasn't about cost as much as availability. I could order a Rock, but who knows when it'll get here. I'm a big fan of Brux barrels as well, but they're up to a 3 month wait the last time I checked. The first barrel I ordered from them was here in like 3 weeks...then they got popular!

Also love Rock as thats what I'm running on my .257 Roy,but IT&D twisted a Douglas on my .22-250AI and it's not been a regret

I don't ever get in a hurry on a build.... Its just not worth the headaches.. right now I wished I'd not have caved to save 100 bucks on my 7x300 either via a douglas.

Glad folks have luck with them, they just don't seem to be shooters to me. Good yes, great no. Depends on how picky you are... I was hoping the 7x300 would reach right out there... as it is, I've killed almost to 400 with it, but that ain't why I did a 7x300... it should be a 1000 yard deer gun really easy.... if its shooting 20 inch groups at 1000... well you get the point....