I don't think that OCW method's explanations as to how it works is reality.
As good lots of Federal match ammo shoots well under MOA short range groups across good quality barrel lengths from 22 to 28 inches and barrel times varying a lot due to bore and groove dimensions, there is no way that shock wave will not be at the muzzle all the time when the bullet's exit. That shock wave makes several round trips in the barrel before bullets exit. And the speed that wave travels in steel as stated is different that what most mechanical engineers dealing with metal properties list. Nowhere in the OCW method text does it mention where in the barrel that shock wave begins which means timing it with bullet barrel time is not precisely determined
All the Garand barrels I wore out had the muzzle bore and groove diameters belled out a couple thousandths inch from cleaning rod wear; no copper wash the last 2/3rds inch of the barrrel. They still tested sub MOA through 300 yards with commercial match ammo.
I've known people who set their 28 inch match rifle 308 Win barrel back 2 inches every 2000 rounds and get the same sub MOA accuracy through 1000 yards with the same load with all barrel lengths.
I've shot the same 308 Win Federal match ammo through 22" M14NM barrels, 24" Garand barrels and 26 and 28 inch match rifle barrels testing through 300 yards. All 10-shot test groups were under 3/4 MOA.
To me, it works because the load puts bullets out the barrel in an optimal range of muzzle axis whip in the vertical axis; typically somewhere on the up swing. Doesn't matter how many millionths of an inch the muzzle diameters change to when bullets exit.
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Just when I thought I had this stuff sort of under control I was hit with a wave of confusion.
From the OCW stuff regarding shock wave --- "The shock wave as identified and described by engineer Chris Long in the page listed above is at the muzzle when these bullets are being released"
the "page listed above" appears in the OCW article
from Bart B -----"...,there is no way that shock wave will not be at the muzzle all the time when the bullet's exit."
Possibly, the difference might be, "as identified and described" in regard to shock wave effects.
Generally I like the idea of using larger powder charge increments vs. nibbling away at some goal with .1 to .3 grain increments beginning at a recommended start level that in the example shown is about 7% less than maximum loads. Just think how many test events that would be fired going from a recommended start load of 43 grains to a maximum load of 46 grains (46-43)/.2 = 15 loads using a .2 grain increment (Hodgdon manual .308 Win, 155 Sierra MK, H4895 powder). Three shots @ each load increment = 3 * 15 = 45.
Also, when shooting a bunch of bullets like up to 20 or so at a target that might be 300 yards out stuff can happen like your body might get tired, the barrel might foul up, wind can change and so on. The OCW article gets into the "round robin (bird?) firing sequence where up to 5 different targets are used with moderate charge increments, like up to .4 grains. Targets are then fired on in sequence with 1st load, 2nd load, 3rd load, 4th load, and finally 5th load, then the sequence is repeated four more times - each target shot with same load. The idea is to spread any screw-ups equally among target groups vs having one or possible a minor amount more screw up (affect) the whole works.
Another thing I like about the OCW approach is that individual clusters of data vs. large data groups are considered.
Upon closing, my experiences with the Garand were terrible in comparison to Bart's and I attribute that to my being usually issued a "beater" rifle. I see diversion from the original intent of the OCW idea with a discussion of issued ammo produced in giant factories in lots of 1000's and vibrating barrels that shoot bullets/loads that have been proven to be accurate.