Range Report First OCW test, help me analyze it?

[punkwood2k]

First OCW test on a new R700 ADL .308 These are the 1st 86 rounds through the rifle in its life.. (45 OCW + 41 sighters and plinking)

Looks like maybe the lower node is targets 2-3-4 (based off of impact point, not group size, right?)

and upper node is maybe 7-8-9?

included target 11, just for completeness. Note: targets 1 & 6 are not part of the OCW test, so not included....

 

[Slope]

I am not really sure what the OCW method is other than it stands for "Optimal Charge Weight". I am not sure how that would differer from regular reloading as we usually tend to look for what is the best charge for accuracy in a rifle. I would be curious to learn more.

 

[punkwood2k]

I am not really sure what the OCW method is other than it stands for "Optimal Charge Weight". I am not sure how that would differer from regular reloading as we usually tend to look for what is the best charge for accuracy in a rifle. I would be curious to learn more.

There is a lot of info on the OCW test here.. From what I gathered, youre not looking for the smallest group out of the test targets.. Youre looking for a range of charge weights that have the same approximate point of impact, regardless of group size.. This is supposed to show you where the most forgiving node on your rifle is, giving you more room for error when loading and still keep the bullet in the sweet spot of barrel exiting.. BUT, I'm not super sure, which is why I put that out there..

 

[Slope]

There is a lot of info on the OCW test here.. From what I gathered, youre not looking for the smallest group out of the test targets.. Youre looking for a range of charge weights that have the same approximate point of impact, regardless of group size.. This is supposed to show you where the most forgiving node on your rifle is, giving you more room for error when loading and still keep the bullet in the sweet spot of barrel exiting.. BUT, I'm not super sure, which is why I put that out there..

Hmm, I would be curious to hear more about this OCD thing. I mean OCW.

My experience is that if your load is producing large groups, then regardless of POI, your accuracy is going to suffer at longer ranges. Accuracy is what I am going for when working up a load. There should not be error in my loads to effect POI if I am doing my part. Weigh bullets, weigh brass, and sort into lots. Then accurately weigh powder, drop the same, and seat bullet to the precise depth and there should be little to no error.

Usually a load has a charge that is the most accurate for a particular rifle but not another and this is what I tend to work towards. Then you have various powders that may work better in one rifle and for a specific bullet. Primers make some difference as well but not as much. If you work with these variables to find the best combo for your rifle you should be good to go.

Slope

 

[redbullitt]

I like to try to get a little further out. 100 yards does not always tell the whole story. Even just 200 yards will make seeing the differences MUCH MUCH easier.

I have a Rem SPS 223 that is a blast to shoot. Doing an OCW at 100 the gun REALLY likes 24.0g target with a 69 smk. Literally sub .5moa EVERY time pretty much. 24.0 was the best looking target in every OCW I shot with it. Only trouble was when I took that load to 600 yards it had around 15 inches of vertical lol. I could shoot a zipper line on every IPSC target. Once I saw that, i started messing with the charge weight at 500 yards and found a load that grouped well there. Wound up at 25.3g. I passed it up originally for the 24.0 one.

I like number 7 and number 4 though. Those look just like my situation with the SPS lol.

If you have the space, try to throw a ladder test in there and try the possible loads at distance. See if it lines up with what you see in the OCW.

 

[Kirkd]

Hmm, I would be curious to hear more about this OCD thing. I mean OCW.

My experience is that if your load is producing large groups, then regardless of POI, your accuracy is going to suffer at longer ranges. Accuracy is what I am going for when working up a load. There should not be error in my loads to effect POI if I am doing my part. Weigh bullets, weigh brass, and sort into lots. Then accurately weigh powder, drop the same, and seat bullet to the precise depth and there should be little to no error.

Usually a load has a charge that is the most accurate for a particular rifle but not another and this is what I tend to work towards. Then you have various powders that may work better in one rifle and for a specific bullet. Primers make some difference as well but not as much. If you work with these variables to find the best combo for your rifle you should be good to go.

Slope

Ignore group size. Look at POI. Group size will shrink by adjust seating depth. That's the OCW way.


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