HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Do you try a lot of different powders or try a lot of different bullet brands, weights etc. I would usually pick a bullet and try different powders/charges.

How big an impact does different primers have on your loads?

How does different brass impact your loads?

What exactly is your process, if you have one.

How many rounds do you load for each combination?

Do you clean after each group? Or just each different powder?

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Myself I work with 3 powders and one bullet at a time. Like right now I am working with Scirocco II 180gr bullet with IMR 4350 -H414 and Varget. I have already used the same 3 powders with Scirocco II 165gr bullets and Nosler Partition 180gr. When I get a few groups that all seem to shoot a pretty good 3 shot group I will try to tweak them by going + or - 1/10thgr increments with the powder and maybe try different primers or seating depths to see if any of my best groups close up even more. If I don't get a load I am sastisfied with then I will try a different powder or different brand of bullet and repeat the process. I shoot 3 shots groups and let cool between each 3 shot group. I take the maximum load and drop back 3gr for my starting load and load in .5gr increments (and I keep checking for pressure signs as I go)so I am only dealing with about 6-7 different loads per each powder per each bullet typeor about 20-21 cartridgesper each powder per bullet type. I clean after I am finished but I am only shooting 20-21 shots not counting 2 fouling shots. If you would be shooting 30 or more shots you may need to clean somewhereduring the process.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I bought a new gun/caliber so I am trying to see what perfoms best in my rifle. I am trying three different brands and weights of bullets and two different powders. I load in .02gr incriments. I try to use all the same brand brass. I also like to seat the bullet at different OAL to see how they perform. I use match primers for all my loadings. I like to load 9 rounds each combo so I can have a warm up group and shoot two groups. I let the gun cool inbetween each 3 round group and clean inbetween each 9 round test.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Audette/ladder method- becasue I don't want to burn through $50 worth of components to find a good load.

Primers- I universally use Federal 210s or WLR primers and IMR 4064, 4895, 4350, and Varget pretty much cover the spectrum for the rifle cartridges I reload, with the exception of RL-22 which is well known as a nearly ideal powder for 6.5x55 and it hasn't let me down either.

If you start with well established 'accuracy loads' for staple cartridges like .223, .308, and 30-06, its hard to go wrong.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I'll go along with Briman on this one, I used to start at the low end of the published data and work up to the max load in 1/2 gr increments, then the load that shot the best would go at 1/10'th gr increments in both directions. Now I start with an accuracy load from Nosler or Sierra and go 1/4 gr increments in both directions till the sweet spot is found. The thing about accuracy loads is that it is not always what produced the best accuracy but the most consistant pressures.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

If anyone is interested in an intellegent discussion regarding this topic I'd like to offer my opinion on it. But I'm not if all I get is an argument. I'm a firm believer in barrel harmonics and how they affect accuracy, and how to manipulate a load to take the best advantage of the physics involved....in any good/decent/real good and decentquality barrel.

The audette ladder system has been mentioned...it's along those lines.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Absolutely, talk about it! I'm always looking for a faster,cheaper, better,or easier way to do something when it comes to reloading. [8D]

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Be it known first and foremost I've little to no interest in bench shooting, or bench rest guns...but I can't imagine this notapplying there as well considering the bare minimum of qualifying mechanics of the given benchrestsystem.

I've found that the system I use can make a quality hunting rifle darn near perform like a bench rifle, or at a minimum like a fine well builtcustom rifle. IOW, I can take a hunting bullet and get pretty close to bench accuracy with it...and that interests me much. All that with very minimal load work up time and money.

I useDan Newberry's OCW method....

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Most of my shooting is either prone,sitting, or standing (High power rifle is my game). I don't like to shoot from the bench myself as I see it as a waste of ammo unless I'm testing loads.


Looks like a very sound method.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Even tho each rifle has its own characteristics and preferences in ammo the method I find most cost effective and quick. Make the call to the Sierra tech guys....ask them what powder consistently performs best in their tests. They test more guns, bullets and powder than anyone I have worked with and they will tell you that there is a combination of components that nearly always shoots well in a given chambering. I start there....in 37 years of handloading it has never failed me for a starting point.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Here's a link...

OCW:
http://home.earthlink.net/~dannewberry/dannewberrysoptimalchargeweightloaddevelopment/

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

1 cases ; yes they can make a huge differance .In my 06' an aquired 150 rnds of what I was told was 1 lot shot 3 separate groups about 8" apart . .2 grains of water differance in case cap. Best example Fiocci load 9900 same load in a Federal case 13500 .

2 Primers NEVER substitute a MAG for a standard in a load that is worked up or even close to max . Best example Win 209 replaced with a Federal 209a 3000 psi . Thats alot in a shotgun that is maxed out at 15000 .

3 I load a minmum of 5 rnds I start low and go up 1 grn inciments and shoot the top down . When the group gets to MY min or smaller I workup .2 at a time . I have 3 pet powders in my rifles and 3 for my shotguns 2 for my pistols . I shoot Unique in all 3 .

4 If you have a known factory load that works well start with those bullets and brass .

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

If brass makes thata big difference then how is it that with using the OCW load principles, a good group can be shot using three or four or five different makes of brass? I'm not advocating the mix and match of brass as standard practice, as that wouldn't be prudent with consistancy in mind...only saying that with OCW addressing harmonics issues, differences in case capacity become moot. Which in reality negates muchthe need to fuss over weighing cases or fretting over case lots. I only use Lapua brass where it's made for my chamberings, but I worry none about lot#'s or case weights.

Same as different guns, chambers and barrels...I've shot amazingly good groups with OCW loads that were worked up in a different rifle. Which in some circles is considered taboo.

I concur on the primer thing though, it's easy enough to obtain the proper primer for the application so that's ground I consider sacred. I have one commonstandard primer I use for rifles and one commonstandard for pistols. That's never failed me.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Rifle Loony, the reason is the OCW method is designed to find an accuracy 'node.' The bullet is released from the barrel when the barrel whip is poised to switch directions and therefore the barrel tip is not moving much. They are designed to be forgiving.

Errors are magified when the load is not tuned to the barrel harmonics, therefore things like brass capacity can make a big difference in non-OCW loads.

Theoretically speaking of course.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Wolf,

I have, and have had for a long time,a full and clear understanding of the OCW priniples, and was, with my "question",merely begging to differ with those that consider component differences as "critical" to a productive result.

I am the firstto admit consistency is the key, but much can be proved as non-critical by using the OCW method...

I cannot argue with what I've done and seen myself, and I'm probably one of the most skeptical Rifle Loonies out there until I have seen it formyself. I've spent much of my earlier years chasing the tiniest groups, getting them, and then have them fall apart with a component change or with a shift of the weather. When I became aware of OCW and the actual physics of the entire system...much became clear.

It's almost humorous when I see guys struggle for that last nth of an inch of load tinkeringjust to shoot an MOA group at 100 yards, knowing that just a little more understanding would put them well under that magical single MOAat 5, 6 or 700 yards.

When you have a system with so many effects of Physics acting upon it, it's only prudent to try to understand it all....and once understood the simplistic beauty of it becomes apparent, and we begin to wonder why we tried to make it so complicated.

My advice will always be to pick a bullet for it's function and purpose, pick a powder that provides the efficiency of a high load density at max charge, reload with good quality dies...and work up via the Optimal Charge Weight Method.

It's amazing what just those concerns can produce.....

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Sometimes I type before I think. I was just pointing out that differences in case capacity make a difference with methods other than OCW, but I realize you never said they didn't. I actually just saw an article about brands of brass. The cheap stuff grouped almost as good as the expensive stuff. I don't know if they grouped in the same place, as and OCW load should.

I know quite a bit about OCW in theory, I have been trying to put it in practice.

I haven't had a lot of success. I am too much of a dabbler, I buy one box of bullets and then get something else the next time. Same with powder.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

If your reloading for a boltgun start with the bullet ogive 0.010" off the lands and proceed to work up to your max pressure load. Now you have a max load then load 3-5 rounds at that OCL, then 3-5 rounds at 0.005" less OCL and countiue untill you have 3-5 rounds from 0.010" to 0.030" measured from the lands(riflein). Now shoot them and see which OCL gives the best accuracy. Due the same for each powder/bullet combination.

Anytime you subsatut any new component back off the charge and work up to the now new max load. Its the only safe way to do it. Some cartridges and components change little and some have very big changes and you don't know untill you shoot them.

If this is a gun with a tubular magizine like most leveractions you will have to crimp and adjust the powder charge tofind the best accuracy either at or short of the max loading.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

TJ...

As with most "bolt guns", magazine length is a governing factor, and often doesn't allow a close seat to the lands.

My '06, as an example,with 168 grain Barnes TSX's is seated .050" off the lands due to mag box constraints, and is a solid 1/2 MOA load via anOCW work up and confirmedout to 500 yards. Tweaking COAL is best left as a final fine-tune after the sweet spot is discovered, and in the case of my '06, it wasn't needed.

Just shooting for the max load isn't always best either, as the best load can often be overlooked. I've lots of rifles that tuned in almost at a max charge, but none ever shot the best all the way to the top.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I have had very good luck using Dan Newberry's OCW method on several rifles. I also keep the components pretty consistent and that can't hurt.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Lots of people have been down the OCW road including myself. Sometimes it works out well. Others it does not. It another tool, no better or worse than group shooting. Surely not gospel. From my experience, it takes more than one trip in more than one temperature.

I know from my experience it does not work well with different types of brass.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I've seen just the opposite, from my experience...

It's best used though,as an extreme example rather than practice, in that we'd all likely agree that same brand brass is a given if some measure of consistancy is expected. Where the extreme of trying an OCW load in different brass becomes a good example is showing that thelesser differences in same brand/lot #brass become even less of a factor.

IOW, I'd hope we can agree that a huge difference in case capacity between brand X and brand Y is "not reallya good thing", but a smaller difference across a lot # of brand X,OR brand Y is even less of "not reallya good thing". For that reason, and with the example of "different brass", I've found that weighing cases in the same lot#is largely a waste of time, when an OCW load is involved......

I'm all for simplicity in obaining good results from a complicated system.....

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

OCW and various case brands totally work against each other. It violates the OCW whole idea of finding harmonic nodes. I have found situations where remington can hold1 more grain or morethan Norma, or Federal. Ladder methods just won't fly with that. Well, with people who understands what the method is about anyway.

Do you have any idea how many articles in Rifle mag, Precision Shooter, etc has been wrote on this stuff?

If you find it works for you, then your set. I suggest everyone tries it and find out what its all about. I just know I sure won't use it as the only method for load development. some powder/ load combos won't work with any method and clutters the data even more.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Well here comes the argument that I mentioned I might get...

Everything that Big Country and Ridge Runner posted is every bit the evidence that they really do not understand what optimal charge weight is all about, nor can they comprehend simple statements in english such as....

"It's best used though,as an extreme example rather than practice, in that we'd all likely agree that same brand brass is a given if some measure of consistancy is expected. Where the extreme of trying an OCW load in different brass becomes a good example is showing that thelesser differences in same brand/lot #brass become even less of a factor."

I can argue the pros of OCW until this thread gets locked or someone gets banned, so with that said, I offer upthe challengeto both of them to delve into their "methods" and give illustration of a load work upsystem that beats OCW and the astute attentionit offers to barrel harmonics. It would help to offer up sub MOA references at extended ranges with hunting rifles that have nothing modified save a trigger tune.

I'm here to only argue that a logical and educated choice of powder be made, an informed and experienced choice of bullet be made, the most affordable choice of brass be made, and the quality of gear can substantiate the effort....nothing more, nothing less.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Enlighten us, so the "every bit the evidence". Not sure you can use a phrase like that. loon, there is no reason to start bashing people when they don't agree with you. I am fairly certain you have been here before with the same jam. Do you realize how many tests and articles has been written on the subject? How are you qualified? What makes you the expert. Blow us away.

How would you know that? Just because one disagrees with you, sure doesn't mean "they really do not understand what optimal charge weight is all about, nor can they comprehend simple statements in english such as".

Saying that means you are all knowing. Are you saying your all knowing of all things? I bet if you would stick around and keep an open mind, you might learn a thing or two.

Sir, I know what harmonics are. And it's not just the wiggling of a barrel. I have done many labortory writeups and tests on harmonic properties of certain materials related to Electro-optic world.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I opened the floor to you sir, since you decided to attempt an argument, by replying to my posts, with barbed sentiment...

I'll play nice if you do, so teach me something.

I'm always willing to learn.

What's your load work-up system, since that's the on-topic topic of this thread.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

RR...

Are you suggesting that OCW means "max charge/max pressure/don't dare to try it any higher"..?

Just trying to cypher your perception, not arguing......

OCW addresses barrel harmonics and the function they have on a measure of "accuracy".

Pressure and velocity are only a result of the entire system in motion, kinda like how gas milage and speed relate to a speed limit sign.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Several tools available good ole fashioned fun and load workup. Some like std dev., and extreme spread, but I have kinda proven that wrong many times, but it does give you useful data if you plot it versus load. Ladder method you mentioned. Which by the way, can be useful, but needs to be repeated a few times at least, to get useful data and I find really only useful in a semi-premium gun at best. In other words, trying to do it on a dud, will produce dud results. A barrel is a dynamic beast to say the least, and when you add humidity, heat, fouling, it gets down right tough to interpret ladder method load workup. Definatly can be done, but many trips are warranted.

Lastly, good ole shoot and see if there is promise. If you see a load within a grain there is promise. Next start changing OAL by some differnet amounts. I have found changing COL can have a dramatic impact on accuracy, and this has been proven many times to be the effect of your harmonics nodes you mention.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I bought into the whole OCW thing at one time pretty heavy. But I was alway complaining how finicky loads were. I stopped by Melvin Forbes place in WV on my way to Charleston, and that guy was a wealth of knowledge. He showed me how if a barrel is that finicky with 1gr difference, your compensating for other issues with the gun. Anyone that knows his guns NULA, knows he is big on bedding to take out those variations with harmonic nodes.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Ok, let's throw another twist into the equation. Not only is powder temperature sensitive the barrel harmonics will change with a change in temperature and humidity. Temperature will affect the the amount of flex the barrel will experience, humidity will affect the barreled action to stock fit. Now before you get your panties in a bunch yea, yea, yea I know not all rifles are stocked in kevlar or synthetic and yes even laminate will show some sign of expansion perhaps nowhere close to wood but some.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I agree. Thats what I have found with the ladder method. Its especially transparent with thin barrels like on my micro medallion. But I will admit, its a great method like on a heavy barreled gun like FN SPR I shoot.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I've seen where at least one poster here wouldn't give Melvin Forbes the time of day so the value of experience is subjective. I've never seen a NULA not shoot well so there in lies my opinion on Melvin's rifle building know how. Personally I would expect him to know a thing or two on reloading as well...

What you and others are saying about OCW loads being finicky is a little troubling in that myself, and the ones around me, have found that OCW reduces and in some cases nearly negates most"finickyness". I've found, with my/our application of OCW during load work up, that the temperature sensitivity of powders becomes less of an issue. This I know from cold hard data collected across a broad range of seasonal changes, which in my locale can occur all in the same week. It's still May here last I checked,and there's a chance of a snow storm for at least another two or three weeks. Snow in June surprisesfew. A month ago though, it was nearly 80 for a solid week.

The point is, we are no stranger to the effects thatweather may have on a load. I've asafe or twofull of rifles that get shot all year long, be it hunting or just swinging steel, a range trip is merely a walk out the back door.

Inherent accuracy of a good rifle is a given and that of a slouch is what it is. Premium barrels, bedding, floating, trigger work, ect., all add to the value of thesystem, but I've at least one example in my safes where those rules are blown out of the water by what I've personally seen.

I don't buy into the marketing hype over temp insensitive powders as I see no difference beween them and other powders thought to be very sensitive....when shooting OCW loads. The worry, for me at least, simply isn't there.

I choose a powder based onknown attributes and it's potential for a goodload density, as that is a governing factor for a given chambering regarding efficiency, not whether or not it'll be insensitive to weather changes or not.

Probably a good aspect of this discussion to cover would be the individualsdefinition of the "accuracy". During load work up I find that MOST of the "groups" I shoot across a range of powder increases which span several grainswould meet and likely exceed many folk's"accuracy" standards."Groups" too, fired at 100 yards won't tell anyone as much as groups tested beyond 250 or 300 yards. Once a shooter's accuracy expectations are defined it then becomes easier to compile an R&D system that meets the requirement.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

First, let me say that there is nothing new or novel about my approach, and it may not even be the best one in any way. A lot of what previous posters on this subject have offered may be a lot better!! This is just the way I learned it, and so far the results have been acceptable. However, even though it hasn't happened to me yet, I can see where my method might result in using up more powder, primers and bullets than some of the ways other folks do it.

When trying to find an accurate load, I never change more than one variable factor at a time. I start with a bullet known for accuracy, usually a Sierra of the weight I want to use in my final load. Then I select a starting load, usually 2 grains under what the manual says is maximum for that powder type & bullet weight.

Next, I load five rounds using that starting load & bullet, loaded to an overall length 2mm less than touching the lands. Next, I increase the powder charge 1/2 grain, and load five more, etc.,until I have reached one grain OVER BOOK MAX., five rounds at each 1/2 grain increase. I then go to the range, and, starting with the lowest powder charge, fire five-shot groups at each level. I fire each group on a separate target, and fire each five-shot lot, noting such thigs as primer appearance & bolt-lift, case appearance and examine each case head for unusual marks, etc. IF I SEE ANY SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE PRESSURES FROM A PARTICULAR 5-SHOT BATCH, I will NOT fire any of the heaver loads!I realize that appearance is no proof of anything- I use my Lyman 310 decapping tool to remove fired primers and then to recap at the range. This lets me know if primer pockets have begun to enlarge!


If any of these five-shot batches shows acceptable accuracy, I choose it and load up 20 more exactly the same! Then I shoot these to verify that the load is indeed acceptable.

IF the load is generally acceptable, I will load 10 more identical loads but with the same weight Nosler Partition bullet instead of Sierras, (hunting mmo) and see if this change is OK too. So far, almost every load I have switched from Sierras to Noslers in, w/o any other change, has given equal or better accuracy. The exceptions only required a minor powder weight adjustment to start performing well.

IF my first effort did not result in an acceptable load, I will change ONE VARIABLE (ie, the bullet or powder type) and do the workupagain. Rarely have I had a problem getting the accuracy I want the first time, but it has happened. Many will tell you that accuracy always is best 2 grains or so under MAX. I have NOT found this rule to work out all the time-many of the loads I have gotten the best performance from were either at or over a book-maximum. However, I will not continue to use a load which will not allow cases to last as long as I want-I like 10 loadings or moreout of a batch of cases.

With modern, medium to large capacity bottleneck cases, I begin load development with a powder as slow as can be used for a specific cartridge & bullet weight-usually IMR 4350, N204, MRP, RE 22, or IMR 7828. Slow powders have less propensity to jump to too-high pressure spikes as quickly as faster ones. This is especially true of large-grain, extruded nitrocellulose types as opposed to double-based, small-grain or ball powders.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

What is OCW never heard of it? But you have to find every guns max load might as well due it at the closes to the lands you can can get and that gives you the option shorten the Over all Cartridge Length todetermin the sweet spot.

Sorry you have a short mag to work with, with the exception of the accubond in the 358win I have no issues with any of my 30-06 cased cartridges and the rifles magazine length. Sounds like a exception in my experance.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

LINK:
http://home.earthlink.net/~dannewberry/dannewberrysoptimalchargeweightloaddevelopment/

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

And you are one of those that insist it's harder than it really is...

End of story.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

So by your estimate, velocity is the sole key to accuracy, since you've mentioned that more than once...

Interesting.....

Wonder then, how I can work up sub MOA loads across a 145 degree change in anualtemperature, using powders considered temp sensitive, change lot numbers, use brass that is not sorted by weight or volume, with bullets that the vast majority of internet gurus consider inaccurate....but I am an example of only one.

Wonder also how Federal Gold Match can be so successful across such a wide dispersement of arms day in and day out, month after month, season after season.........I highly doubt they tweak powder charges at the change of the four seasons.

Simple laws of physics are sometimes very hard for some to grasp...

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

So I'm a liar....

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

Geez guys, I was just asking opinions on how each of you individually work up loads. I didn't intend to have everyone at each others throats!

Let's remember we are all on the same team! I'm going to try that ocw method first and try as many different powders as I can with my single shot 30-30 contender. Keep the "spirited" discussion up, but please, no body count!!!! I need to research this ladder thing next.

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

RR...

We could almost agree on this and if a communication barrier of some sort didn't exist we'd be in near lock step.....

The "accuracy nodes" as you put it, for whomever's benifit that needs it, are when the muzzle of the barrel is at it's calmest point of occilation during the resonation of the harmonics. It's at that instant that you want the bullet to exit the barrel and that condition occurs at several points in the work up.

What I'm looking for is the highest velocity "node" I can find before the load peaks at too much pressure. I've proven many times over in the rifles that I've tested, which btw range from bedded premium customs to as issued factory, that once this is found it becomes very variable tolerant. The load is not AS sensitive to weather changes, the load is not AS sensitive to lot number changes, and is not AS sensitive to case capacity differences.

If the OCW load work up is done properly then it is PROVEN that pressure differences within that particular "node", or 'sweetspot"will not cause the bullet to impact out of the expected "group". This in effect RECREATES the variable that weather changes, case capacity differences, ect., put on a load. If three consecutive increases of powder charge weight, sometimes four, do not cause the bullet to swing out of the test "group", then it's easy to realize that50 or60 degrees of temperature diifference will not affect it either, and I've proven in my rifles thatit DOESN'T. I've proven in my rifles that a spread of different case weights out of the same box of brass will not cause a noticable difference either, different lot #'s don't matter, yada, yada yada.....

This is NOT to say that keeping things as close to perfect isn't prudent, because the more you CAN reduce variables the better the whole system probablyis. The whole thing though can be done overboard, and knowing where theline of diminishing returns begins, is valuable. Many reloaders do go overboard and get carried away....

I'll repeat...it STARTS with knowledgeable informedchoices of bullet, brass, powder and primer....stabs in the dark don't work well for the most part. From there it's a simple matter ofmanipulating the physics of the entire system to work to your advantage.

What OCW work up has done for me is:

1.) Make me decide that weighing cases is a waste of time providing I've bought a fresh box of Lapuas to draw from, when those are dead and dying, I buy a new box.

2.) Make me decide that primer pockets are fine the way are, flash holes are fine the way they are, and the only real case prep I need to do is an initial trim to make sure that's consistent on virgin brass. I only check it after the third or fourth firing.....

3.) it's made me decide that I don't need toclean brass beyond a quick dunk in IOSSO if the cases might show contamination that would harm my chamber. The interior of the case concerns me none. I'll still clean primer pockets but that's just an old habit I still haven't convinced myself to try and quit.

4.) it's made me decide thatan ever soslight bump of the shoulder in a FL die is all the sizing a case needs and I've gotten rid of all my neck dies. Life is just much simpler knowing my cases are going to chamber every time.

5.) it's made me realize that, even though I still weigh every charge, volume measured charges can and do work very well despite the risked variable of different charge weights across the board.

6.) it's allowed me to realize that the barrel is tuned to a given bullet weight, and in most cases, as long as profiles and B.C.'s are close, a load can be used with at least two different bullets. I call them "swap" loads. An example is my 30-06 that shoots 168 TSX's and 168 Hornady Match into the same point of impact/aim through out the tragectory curve,with no need to make adjustments to thezero for either bullet.....all year long. Same charge weight all year long, no fuss, no muss. I can use the same drop chart for either bullet and twist turrets out to at least 500 yards with that rifle and still maintain at least 1/2 MOA with both bullets. The only differences are that when switching over to TSX's for hunting season I clean the barrel very good, but that's a needof the TSX's, not the load itself. The other difference is that the TSX's are seated to within .050 of the lands and theMatch are seated to within .030...I attribute that mostly to aknats azz difference in bullet profile resulting from the slightly shorter length of the Match. Their not kissing lands becasue of mag box dimensions.I offered this load to a friend of mine down South and he had the exact same results in HIS 30-06, right down to the size of the groups. He even took it a step further and tried a slightly faster burning powder for the hell of it,and was able to get the same two bullets to swap with that load.Another swap load was my 25-06 with 115 TSX's and 115 Nosler ballistic tips, another is my son's .243 with 85 gr TSX's and85 gr Sierra HP's....and on and on. Proven hands downby lots of spent primers.

I'm currently waiting for a rifle to return from my 'smith that's being rechambered Ackley Improved, I'll gladly document my load work up in that rifle and can confidently state right now what the components will be for a succesful OCW load. Lapua Brass, Federal standard primers, RL-15, 85 grain TSX's and 85 grain Sierra BTHP's in a swap. Of course we'll hafta wait out a lot of woodchuck killin', deer killin' and steel swingin' with fireforming loads before the real R&D begins.....

I simply cannot deny myself what I've already proven to work.......

RE: HOW DO YOU FIND BEST ACCURACY WHEN WORKING UP LOADS?
 

I find a load described above in 20 rounds or lessvia OCW at 150 yards. If everything is right, that load can be confirmed at 250 or 300 yards with a couple or three groups.Another 10 or 15 rounds might show a need to tweak seating depth. It might take 40 or 50 more rounds to confirm a drop chart.From there on out it's just shootin' and gaining knowledge of the load/rifle...having fun doin' it. So I fail to see the need to worry over killin' the barrel during R&D.

A barrel is meant to shoot bullets out of and since they roll new ones out every day I dont fret it in the least.

I don't hunt at 1K as I tend not to stretch it past 6 or 700 yards very often,so a near max load in a standard or AI'd chambering with a good bulletis all I need. I'mfine with 1 MOA, but can like 1/2 MOA better. I deal with standard type gearand mostly light for caliber bullets, and work within those limits wilst puttin' the boots to the dirt...don't much care for "huntin'" out of a shootin' tower and such.

Did do a short stint with a 300 RUM once but didn't like thecase life. My kid just talked me into a 300 Weatherby and we'll see how that goes. The RUM and the Roy is about my upper limit on "high intensity" and I see zero shame in that.......