OCW

[Pirate-69]

I am new to this and I am trying to figure out where to start. I want to do a OCW for a 168 grain IMR 4350 load in 300 Winchester Magnum. I am using a 26 inch barrel. From the OBT program, I get the following nodes:
1) 0.882
2) 0.966
3) 1.106
4) 1.191
5) 1.329
6) 1.415
7) 1.553

Rumor has it, if someone was to run my data through Q-L, that the following ms would be generated for the given powder charges:
grains_____ms
71.07_____1.178_____3,161fps_____60,907psi
70.66_____1.187
70.24_____1.196_____3,128fps_____58,806psi
69.83_____1.206
69.41_____1.216
69.00_____1.225_____3,079fps_____55,786psi
68.59_____1.235
68.17_____1.245
67.76_____1.255
67.34_____1.265
66.93_____1.276
66.52_____1.286
66.10_____1.297_____2,962fps_____49,306psi
65.69_____1.307
65.27_____1.318
64.86_____1.329_____2,912fps_____46,754psi

Am I correct in assuming that I should find a node around the 70.24 grain area since the nodes match-up? And again around 64.86 grains? Will there be nodes between these values? I would like to load the rifle better than a hot 30-06 but I do not want to burn the barrel out in 1,000 rounds. I would like to load a round that would get to 1,000 yards and still be supersonic. I am daydreaming here. Should I be able to find an accuracy node in the 69-70 grain ranges? Am I trying to deduce something that is not possible from the data that I have? A lost soul needs some help here.

 

[memilanuk]

Re: OCW

The nodes you mentioned would be good places to start looking around for accuracy. There are some variables that you can 'tune' QuickLoad for, i.e. your seating depth, the volume (water capacity in grains) of your fired cases, and the powder batch you have (they can vary as much as +/- 10% from nominal). Basically you take a few rounds with a particular charge weight (or two or three, mo' info is mo' betta) and chronograph them. Go back into QL and start 'tweaking' til the computed values start matching actual - then you can really zero in on what should be the best load for your gun using QL.

Unless you are able to do that (and I'm guessing you don't actually have a copy of QL of your own from the sounds of things), you're stuck with the data already listed - which at least should give you a place to start looking. As mentioned, some things can be tweaked and accounted for in QL, others (like a 'fast' barrel or the primer lot) can't really be quantified in this program - so exercise normal common sense and work up to the loads listed above carefully. Play with the seating depth, try changing primers, etc.

Good luck,

Monte