What method do you use.

[mnhntr]

The last two rifles I did load development for I used the OCW method. Basically 3 shot groups with incremental charges to determine OCW. I have been reading about Ladder Testing and tried it with one of the rifles I had already found the OCW for and it was the same results. Which of these methods do you use and why? Or if you have a different method please share.

 

[exx1976]

I do OCW, but I use 5-shot groups.

 

[Quack303Head]

I do OCW as well. Once I find the rifles node I'll play with the seating depth to fine tune the load.

 

[Disturbed]

I start off with three shot groups every .4 grains to find a trend of tightened groups. Then I load 5 every .1 to find the best load in that spread.

Not scientific but it works. I also use a chronograph to support my findings.

 

[thrusty]

I do OCW as well. Once I find the rifles node I'll play with the seating depth to fine tune the load.

+1 and I typically use 5-shot groups.

 

[JGorski]

For hunting rifles I shoot 3 shot groups, heavy barreled rifles I use 5 shots.(All in .5gr increments) For my model 70 06 I pretty much take a load .5grain from the max(slower powders) and it shoots very well, in the case of trying some 4000MR I went with the max load of 57grs(180 Hor) and it shot great the first time out, when I was working with Varget and 150NBTs I did work up from 48-51grs. Worked up when loading for my 708 and 308 but only dropped the charge 5% from max, never had any problems doing it that way. I figure the slower burning powders are pretty forgiving and they usually work best towards the top. My 6 Creed was a different story, since there's no data for it using RE17 I started out pretty low, 38grs was my lowest, ended up at 40.5grs last year and the primers still arent getting flat, Ill find out in a month if 41-43grs give me some pressure signs.

 

[demolitionman]

Tag......tag

 

[rcamuglia]

The Creighton Audette Ladder is the best, never improved-upon, super dooper alakazam one-hole load finding load development ever discovered.

There.

I said it.

 

[gvanhyning]

I use OCW with 5 shot groups.

 

[Garvey]

Ladder at 500 yards.

.22-250, .243, .260, .308, 7 Rem Mag 168 Berger all produced sub MOA, some sub 1/2 MOA shooters.

Of late was the 7 Rem Mag. I did read about the OCW at the fire station, took the information home and did the math to figure out how many test loads I needed for the rifle/ bullet combo. I came up with something like 24 loads to make (don't know if I did something wrong). Well I knew my ladder test would only call for 9 loads. I shot those 9, found the node, loaded three 5 shot groups, and found the right powder charge. I got .7 MOA out of a friend's Thompson Encore with a Bullberry barrel. I was happy and went home. If it aint broke don't fix it.

 

[Bear24]

I have done both with my FN SPR and came up with the same result. I like both and will probably continue to use both methods.