How reliable is the 3% charge weight observation for node spacing?

[ChrisBCS]

In your experience?

Can I immediately jump down 3% from a current but, very hot OCW (from 58.0 gr to 56.2 gr), then make a few cartridges +/- 0.4 gr to verify that the 56.2 is indeed an OCW?

(H4350 in .30-06, 175 gr SMK).

 

[Niles Coyote]

Cant say for sure in the 30-06 yet but it works to get me within a tenth or two in 308, 260 and 223

 

[rduckwor]

Try it and tell us what you find.

Likely you will do fine.

That being said, it is NOT etched in stone that 3% will find you the next node. You're going to have to dance around the load a bit probably. I certainly wouldn't rely on it without proving the load.

Good Luck,

 

[WB300]

Dan helped me with .308 and .300WM load development and told me that 3% is not etched in stone, but that 3%, regardless of my two calibers is still the general norm. I actually subtracted 6% from a hot 7-08 compressed load and then tested +- loads to find the new node. Dan suggested to shoot a final round robin of 3 loads in .2 grain increments to find the middle of the new node. Worked great. I did the same with my .300WM but used .4 grain increments to start with due to the larger capacity.

I think if you go down 3%, then shoot 3 loads in .4 grain increments up and down from that reduced load, your results should tell you which direction to go. Once you get close, move to .2 grain increments for 3 loads to find the middle of that lower node.

Hopefully it helps you like it did for me.

Be safe.

Bill