Is upper node always better?

[Zero333]

I load whatever made the best results back to back.

In all my 243win rifles shooting 105/107 gr pills, I can load up to 46 gr of H-4831sc with out any pressure signs,.. while the best accuracy ALWAYS ends up at 43 gr. regardless of type of bullet as long as it's a 105/107 gr.

At the same time other powders show best accuracy near MAX pressures.

Thus trust the target as long as it's repeatable.

 

[jelenko]

I tend to disagree, (somewhat) with this.

If this was true, I could stick any reasonable load combination in my 6PPC or 30BR and simply turn the tuner until it hit that magic sub .200 agging capability.

When you get into really extreme accuracy and precision, such as what we attempt to achieve in Short Range Group and Score, there seems to be a little more to it.

What this “little more” is, I am not quite sure.

Interesting! Thanks.

 

[mike mccormick]

Not always. I try to go with the node with widest loading window. In the big scheme of things, I score higher across the day.

 

[diggler1833]

I have had a couple barrels shoot best in the "upper node" - or right around book max / or when pressure signs were obvious.

However the vast majority have done better around 3-5% below what most sources list as maximum. I've also had a barrel that annoyingly only shot really well down around most listed starting charges.

Sometimes I'll trade a little accuracy for velocity (hunting rifle, say 300 and in), but otherwise I'm happy to play in the "low node".

I think that it is barrel dependent.

 

[JFrank]

Upper nodes can be extremely accurate and from what I’ve seen they can also blow out the top, you have to choose what you’re willing to put up with.
A nice overlapping consistent load can be accurate and maybe not quite as small but agg really well so if you stay centered up and not shoot big you can have a good weekend.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I don't think the velocity of the bullet has to be at the very edge of safety to be the most accurate. If you have more powder than the length of the barrel can tolerate to get the velocity you want, accuracy will suffer. I load about one grain down from max and find that node. Velocity is great and will help accuracy but only to a point.

 

[jimmymac]

Speaking from a benchrest perspective there is little to no published information so we are most always running by the seat of our pants.

A good example are published 6PPC loads. What is published as maximum, is basically just a starting load for almost every guy on the line.

There are no absolutes. The targets will give you the answers.