Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Audette 'Ladder Test' vs Optimum Charge Weight

I prefer the OCW way of tuning a load.

Say you?

I'm with you.
Dan Newberry's OCW test procedure is well thought out and his Practical Rifle forum has a lot of great information.
I've used both ladder and OCW, and for me it is much easier to see where my accuracy nodes are with the OCW method.
One advantage is that you can get good results with the OCW test at 100 yds. For a ladder test to show enough separation on the target 200 yds. is about the minimum.
On a ladder test, with only one round of each powder charge, you can't trust the POI of any of the rounds that are in the "scatter node". This is the point in the barrel vibration sequence where POA and POI deviate the most.

Ladder tests allow only 1-dimensional analyis.

The OCW test allows 2-dimensional analysis. It is a better system for evaluating loads. I prefer and use it.

MZ5, please explain.

The ladder test only lets you assess vertical location/movement between charges. The OCW, by resulting in a 3-shot group (or you can do 5 shots), allows both vertical and horizontal movement between charges to be evaluated.

Also, since you're firing round-robin style, OCW mitigates the effects of fouling build-up over the course of the string.

Shooting more than just 1 shot per charge also mitigates against 'flyers.'

It's just an all-around better method to evaluate loads.

Would someone explain each procedure or inform me where I can find the information. Thanks

Dan Newberry's OCW Site.

http://www.ocwreloading.com/

Also a lot of good info in the Practicle Rifle Forum that Dan runs. Just Google Practicle Rifle Forum.

a good read.