Does it makes any difference whatsoever?

[slowbalt]

Almost ready for my first proper load developpement. Loaded 24.5 to 27.5 in .2gr increments, three cartridges each.

Is there any difference/advantage to shooting all three 24.5, then all three 24.7, etc. or fire each string (24.5-24.7-24.9-etc.) in order?

 

[nettle]

Whatever groups the best.

 

[DLT]

Almost ready for my first proper load developpement. Loaded 24.5 to 27.5 in .2gr increments, three cartridges each.

Is there any difference/advantage to shooting all three 24.5, then all three 24.7, etc. or fire each string (24.5-24.7-24.9-etc.) in order?

Amount of times you have to setup on each target will triple if you shoot round robin. You will be switching position 45 times vs just 15

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

If a hunting rifle, you need to keep a cool/cold barrel. So slow yourself down by shooting round robin, and have a damp cold barrel wrap for between shots. Just make sure when moving to next target, the rifle support is adjusted properly.

 

[nettle]

Keep your barrel cool. It's not going to get that hot with three rounds if you pause between. I don't know what a round robin is and really don't care to find out.

 

[kyotekiller25]

Just shoot the sets of 3 starting from lowest to highest. Thats your easiest and quickest way to do it. Leave about a minute between shots so the barrel wont get hot.

Never did understand why people do the whole round robin thing anyway. It makes no difference on target, but you're having to readjust the rests every time. No thanks.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Just shoot the sets of 3 starting from lowest to highest. Thats your easiest and quickest way to do it. Leave about a minute between shots so the barrel wont get hot.

Never did understand why people do the whole round robin thing anyway. It makes no difference on target, but you're having to readjust the rests every time. No thanks.

I guess the theory is to even out the environmental conditions.

 

[joshb]

For small cartridges, I use .3 grain increases. For larger ones I use .5. I shoot lowest to highest and look for pressure signs as I near the high end . Look at where the sweet spot is and go back and load in .2 grain bumps around that. Then test seating depth.

 

[Doom]

In OCW the round robin is designed to even out barrel conditions between groups so that the first and last groups have similar conditions. It assumes you are starting with a clean rifle. But as noted above you are setting up more times. I have found that my groups shot in round robin are larger than the groups shot later with the same load. Remember that the key is consistent point of impact and not absolute group size.

 

[R.Morehouse]

At 100yds with my 6ppc I make sure my point of aim and point of impact are not in the same place. This way my point of aim stays precise and I don't shoot it out. I don't seek a load shooting RoundRobin......Have Fun

Regards
Rick

 

[dstoenner]

I always load 3 extra as foulers so the barrel is seasoned to start the first group

David

 

[Clancy]

Finish a group then move to the next one.

You’re going to retest anyway so next time just shoot them in reverse order. That’s fair.

 

[K22]

I prefer to shoot the same load in the same string starting from the lowest and working to the highest always observant of any pressure signs as stated in post # 8.

I let the barrel cool between shots, select a day with mild temperatures, minimal wind and mirage. I go slow and don't test too many loads in one session to avoid shooter fatigue and sloppiness.

.2 grain increments between 24.5 and 27.5 is a lot of test loads. Unless you are testing ball powder loads, I don't think you will be able to discern much difference in that fine of increment, from one load to the successive load given charge variation due to equipment weighing tolerance, shooter error, and environment change effects. Also, the small sample size of a 3 shot test exacerbates the issue.

 

[jelenko]

For 223, I do use .2 gr increments - I've found it allows me to see the groups open up/tighten up.
At the same time, a node has always shown up within 1 full grain => I don't think it's necessary to test over 3 full grains.
If you're concerned about pressure, you could start with one round loaded with mid range powder charge and load additional round at .5 grain increments. Starting with the mid range powder charge, check for pressure signs after each one is fired. Once you've found the highest safe powder charge, create your test rounds starting at 1 grain below.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Round robin makes no sense at all to me. IMHO to shoot the best groups you should be trying to not even lift your head off the gun between the 3 shots.

Waiting for rifles to cool is part of shooting. Bring a second gun or a lawn chair and some music while you wait.

 

[jelenko]

Waiting for rifles to cool

I think it depends on the level of accuracy you're looking for. For people looking for groups in the 1/2 MOA range, I've not found waiting for the rifle to cool to be a factor.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I think it depends on the level of accuracy you're looking for. For people looking for groups in the 1/2 MOA range, I've not found waiting for the rifle to cool to be a factor.

I don't just mean for accuracy. I let them cool because it extends barrel life. I also dont like ammo cooking in a hot chamber if I need to wait on conditions.

 

[joshb]

I don't just mean for accuracy. I let them cool because it extends barrel life. I also dont like ammo cooking in a hot chamber if I need to wait on conditions.

You bring up a point I think is often overlooked but most important! “Letting a round cook in a hot chamber.” Especially with temp sensitive powders. I try to let my guns cool and don’t chamber a round until I’m ready to shoot it.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

You bring up a point I think is often overlooked but most important! “Letting a round cook in a hot chamber.” Especially with temp sensitive powders. I try to let my guns cool and don’t chamber a round until I’m ready to shoot it.

Yep, thats a big reason I don't like ARs for prairie dogs.

 

[searcher]

I'd want to shoot your lowest powder charge group first (all three shots), as quickly as you can comfortably get back on target. Then let barrel cool before proceeding to the next three shots of the higher powder charge trio. I would definitely want to shoot all three of the same at the same time, as conditions can change enough in just several minutes to leave you with a group which is more dispersed than it would have been when fired when the wind (even if only a few MPH) is running more or less the same. Your barrel isn't going to get too hot shooting three shots quickly. I tend to do the three shot routine when seeking a good powder for the rifle. Once I see my groups doing well with a particular powder, I run the better ones again to re-verify that the best load shot well again. Usually, there are a few that have promise. Then I load up six rounds of the two best loads, then shoot alternating 3-shot groups, first one load, then another load - back to the first load, etc. Then take average measurement of the two groups of each. I don't trust just one group, nor shots in a group not fired at the same time.