Similar results for ladder and OCW???

[WB300]

Hello folks,

Will a ladder test and OCW test produce similar nodes? Reason I'm asking is because I am trying to develope loads for 4 different rifle/caliber combinations and have limited range time. I will have access to a 600 yard range this weekend for a few hours. Other than that, I only have access to a 100 yard range every so often. On some min/max loads in the Lyman book, there is as much as 8+ grains difference. If there are 2 nodes, I would like to find them both so I can load down for my son. I'm thinking that OCW for 4 rifles with wide min/max ranges would be very time consuming, as apposed to finding nodes using ladder then narrowing down frther with OCW when I have more range time at 100 yards. Has anyone found similar nodes with both methods?

Bill

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Similar results for ladder and OCW???

If its not grouping at 100 it 99.99999 percent won't group. I would take all the time I could at 100 in preparation for the 600 yard limited range time. Especially with 4 rifles. Got a chronograph ..... See what gives you your lowest spread ... A very low Es is very important in a 600 yard match. Just use the time you got at 100 in preparation for practicing at 600

 

[WB300]

Re: Similar results for ladder and OCW???

Thanks for the quick response aimsmall. Before I try fine tuning for groups at 100 yards, I want to find the nodes. I figured that a ladder test at 300 yards in .5 grain increments would give me the same nodes if I did an OCW test, but save me some time and supplies. My search-fu is kinda weak right now. My craptop computer is down and I have limited use of a work computer without sending up red flags.

Anyone else have any luck finding similar nodes with both tests?

Bill

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Similar results for ladder and OCW???

No prob. Ocw vs ladder. Hummm. With your time frame I really don't know if its possible to get real conclusive answers. Takes a bit of fine tuning to get it nailed with things like neck tension ect.... I would say find what shoots best at 600 when you practice and go with it. Consider it a building block. For example, this Saturday I'm shooting my 6.5 Creedmor at a 600 yard open match. Farthest I've shot is 520 yards. But it shoots 2" groups at that distance. I'm going in this one to win but don't know what to expect at that extra 80 yards. But the main point is to have FUN. Your son will do fine. Key: read the damned wind. Learn. Make connections and friends.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Similar results for ladder and OCW???

A well developed load will be identical no matter what method you use to find it. I do ladders to quickly get in the ball park for both powder and seating and then concentrate on refining. OCW rarely improves anything for me but it's a good alternative.