Question about Dan Newberry's OCW load development

tpcollins · May 19, 2017, 06:41 AM

I understand his OCW method to find the sweet spot where the shockwave is away from the muzzle when the bullet exits. But I don't understand his method of shooting in a round robin sequence rather than all shells for a specific charge at once.

Meaning if I loaded up 4 different loads, I would shoot one from each load at a different target. Then I would shoot the 2nd and 3rd loads in the same sequence. I actually do this but I don't know why other than just following his method.

I'm just not sure why shooting in a round robin procedure at several targets would be any different than shooting all shells for a load at once at the same target before moving to the next load. Unless it forces you to concentrate more, I have no idea why he suggests this procedure. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

WWWJD · May 19, 2017, 07:40 AM

Simply put, barrel heating. Shooting round robin let's you see the performance of your loads across a broad barrel temperature range, from cold bore to hot enough to mirage. If you're last batch shot the best through a hot barrel, it might shoot like crap cold bore, otherwise.

ShootistPRS · May 19, 2017, 10:32 AM

Fatigue is another reason for "round robin" sequence. If you fire each group then you might be tired or flinching by the time you fire the last sequence.

tobnpr · May 19, 2017, 11:09 AM

I would add to the above that fouling is another thing that gets "averaged" out...

I believe it's just a way of averaging out all the variables.

If you have the distance available it's good to ladder test as well.

May 19, 2017, 06:41 AM	#1
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	Question about Dan Newberry's OCW load development I understand his OCW method to find the sweet spot where the shockwave is away from the muzzle when the bullet exits. But I don't understand his method of shooting in a round robin sequence rather than all shells for a specific charge at once. Meaning if I loaded up 4 different loads, I would shoot one from each load at a different target. Then I would shoot the 2nd and 3rd loads in the same sequence. I actually do this but I don't know why other than just following his method. I'm just not sure why shooting in a round robin procedure at several targets would be any different than shooting all shells for a load at once at the same target before moving to the next load. Unless it forces you to concentrate more, I have no idea why he suggests this procedure. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

May 19, 2017, 07:40 AM	#2
WWWJD Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Central KY Posts: 552	Simply put, barrel heating. Shooting round robin let's you see the performance of your loads across a broad barrel temperature range, from cold bore to hot enough to mirage. If you're last batch shot the best through a hot barrel, it might shoot like crap cold bore, otherwise. __________________ *~Mark* NRA Endowment FTW

May 19, 2017, 11:09 AM	#4
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	I would add to the above that fouling is another thing that gets "averaged" out... I believe it's just a way of averaging out all the variables. If you have the distance available it's good to ladder test as well. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

May 19, 2017, 10:32 AM	#3
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	Fatigue is another reason for "round robin" sequence. If you fire each group then you might be tired or flinching by the time you fire the last sequence.