Thread: Test load temps

Originally Posted by sneeze

Mate you are not looking at this subjectively. Its part of the human condition when you want something to work to then ignore basic principals to get the outcome you want.
You are claiming here that "it seems to have worked " when you have no control group. Nothing at all to compare it to. Look at my earlier post. The 10 shot method relys on finding a plateau
of velocity. To do this you need an accurate average velocity and you simply cant get that from one shot. Its statistically impossible. If you shoot 3 shot groups you will have a sample 3 times the size of one shot so it has some relevance. 5 shot groups even more.
Here is an example from some loads I put past the labradar for a mate going up in 1/2 grain increments. Ill list the first shot from each 3 shot group then the second then the third. Each will represent what you might see if you only fire one shot for the 10 shot theory.
First shot
2744
2805
2840
2905
2968

Second shot from each string
2783
2818
2881
2925
2969

Third shot
2747
2825
2867
2900
3007

Any combination of first second or third shot could make up the string for the 10 shot example. so its all just random .
Now if I list the averages of each 3 shot group we see a fairly consistent increase of 50ish fps for every 1/2 grain added. No plateau at all.

2758
2816
2863
2912
2981

Ill try and get to some more of your questions latter but my dinner is getting cold

Cheers for that.
I can fully see what your saying, I am trying to look at it subjectively but I'm fairly new to it and every thing I know comes from books and the Internet. I have never had any one teach me about hunting or shooting, I'm fully self taught which is pretty scary really. I asked a couple of guys at my local deer stalkers about reloading when I first started and the response was "just load up at book max" and you'll be rite, got a funny look when I asked about full length sizing vs neck sizing so I gave up.

I did come to the conclusion that you really needed to shoot at least 2 or 3 shots just to get an accurate reading as my chrono didn't even read one shot.

Do you fire all your loads in one go? I find after about 15 -20 shots my focus is starting to fade and this is where I start to worry if groups are opening up because of me or the load.

Sorry for all the questions but why do you think that one load is more accurate than another then? The velocity node thing made sense to my mind as that would have the lowest ES which should make the groups more repeatable, if there's no velocity flat spot why do you think that certain loads come out more accurate? I have heard of barrel vibrations or whip, I think that all ties in with getting the bullet to arrive at the muzzle in a certain sweet spot which I would imagine would be the bottom or top of the whip as there would be a slight slowing, stop and reverse of the muzzle moment.