Learning at the Whidden Gunworks Test Range

[foxguy]

QUOTE "We clean after 190 rounds as this fits our testing protocol well. We'll shoot another 150 or so after that. So far we haven't seen a rifle that started clean and would foul up in 190 rounds. If this happened very often, then the last ammo tested would never be selected as good. We do see the last lots in the line selected as good."

This cleaning works well for Eley and Laupa? I have heard Eley fouls the barrels quicker than Laupa??
Have you found Eley will foul a barrel quicker than Laupa causing a loss of accuracy?.

 

[TRSR8]

I have no idea. Having worked in industry for over 50yr, I would be begging for it to aid in improvement.

You guys are deluding yourselves. Take ELEY for instance. What better feedback is needed other than how much lingers on shelves unsold for a long time.
You think they don’t know this?
Big gap, apparently between knowing and rectifying the issue.
Thus, my earlier question.

 

[TRSR8]

QUOTE "We clean after 190 rounds as this fits our testing protocol well. We'll shoot another 150 or so after that. So far we haven't seen a rifle that started clean and would foul up in 190 rounds. If this happened very often, then the last ammo tested would never be selected as good. We do see the last lots in the line selected as good."

This cleaning works well for Eley and Laupa? I have heard Eley fouls the barrels quicker than Laupa??
Have you found Eley will foul a barrel quicker than Laupa causing a loss of accuracy?.

Among the traits of current Lapua, in most guns it lays down carbon/lead in the throat at a significantly slower pace.

 

[CharlieNC]

You guys are deluding yourselves. Take ELEY for instance. What better feedback is needed other than how much lingers on shelves unsold for a long time.
You think they don’t know this?
Big gap, apparently between knowing and rectifying the issue.
Thus, my earlier question.

Read closer, John mentioned Lapua turd lots. But the point is a test center identifies exceptionally good and bad lots based on more rifles and shots than the manufacturer used, and these results could be used to identify how ok better differentiate for future improvement. Commonly used approach in industry.

 

[TRSR8]

Read closer, John mentioned Lapua turd lots. But the point is a test center identifies exceptionally good and bad lots based on more rifles and shots than the manufacturer used, and these results could be used to identify how ok better differentiate for future improvement. Commonly used approach in industry.

I don”t need to read anything.
Short or sending lots back to the factory, even then, what exactly do you think they’d discover ? How do they factor some lots get tested in turd barrels? At the end of the day it’s a production facility and none of them bat 1000.
Lastly, test centers are currently a necessary evil. Do you have any idea how many guys go with test lots that suck in actual competition? It’s not unheard of

 

[VLNBYR]

There is a group of shooters who are always at the top. They don't have ammo problems. If they can do it then so can you. And they aren't all millionaires just throwing money at the ammo market either so don't even try that excuse.

 

[dusterdave173]

Three guys I know have tested at Whidden
They all praised how it went, how they were treated, and were happy with the results

I have had the best customer service from them of any vendor I use.

The Test Brick program they offer is a testament to how committed they are to helping the regular guy shoot better.

Thanks Whidden!!

 

[dgeesaman]

Read closer, John mentioned Lapua turd lots. But the point is a test center identifies exceptionally good and bad lots based on more rifles and shots than the manufacturer used, and these results could be used to identify how ok better differentiate for future improvement. Commonly used approach in industry.

Sell those lots to the guys who say stuff like “my rifle prefers Center-X over Midas+” or vice-versa

 

[CharlieNC]

I don”t need to read anything.
Short or sending lots back to the factory, even then, what exactly do you think they’d discover ? How do they factor some lots get tested in turd barrels? At the end of the day it’s a production facility and none of them bat 1000.
Lastly, test centers are currently a necessary evil. Do you have any idea how many guys go with test lots that suck in actual competition? It’s not unheard of

Of course you don't need to read anything. Insanity: doing the same things over and expecting different results, of course the feedback protocol would be different.

 

[VLNBYR]

Lapua doesn't have a problem. I see multiple test center results and buy blind a lot. If you can't find winning ammo in a test of 10 lots you and your rifle are the problem not the ammo.

 

[TRSR8]

Lapua doesn't have a problem. I see multiple test center results and buy blind a lot. If you can't find winning ammo in a test of 10 lots you and your rifle are the problem not the ammo.

No argument John, but how about the poor souls that wait months to go and then face well below 10 lots to test ?
Welcome to the "best of the rest" club, not a particularly rare occurrence.
Last session I had 16 lots available......try that today, and, yes, I've bought blind as well.
But hey..... I still have some 2012 6 machine black box, which shoots about as good as 2012 so count me lucky.

 

[TRSR8]

Three guys I know have tested at Whidden
They all praised how it went, how they were treated, and were happy with the results

I have had the best customer service from them of any vendor I use.

The Test Brick program they offer is a testament to how committed they are to helping the regular guy shoot better.

Thanks Whidden!!

All well and good Dave except Lapua test bricks are unobtainium., They do, no doubt, a fine, professional job, but the reality is you cannot test what isn't there, thus, my original question about ELEY closing the gap on average.
Also tough given a bunch of relatively newish guys in the hunt. I wonder how many have ever seen truly exceptional ammo ?

 

[VLNBYR]

No argument John, but how about the poor souls that wait months to go and then face well below 10 lots to test ?
Welcome to the "best of the rest" club, not a particularly rare occurrence.
Last session I had 16 lots available......try that today, and, yes, I've bought blind as well.
But hey..... I still have some 2012 6 machine black box, which shoots about as good as 2012 so count me lucky.

The Lapua center will not schedule you if they don't have enough lots, guys have got a call asking if they still want to come or wait until the selection is better.

 

[TRSR8]

The Lapua center will not schedule you if they don't have enough lots, guys have got a call asking if they still want to come or wait until the selection is better.

What’s enough lots? i know more than a few that were faced with 5-6 lots or swallow hard for next shipment.

 

[VLNBYR]

The center gets used by all kinds of shooters and rifles, for a bunch of them it doesn't really matter.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

This month makes 6 years since I tested at Lapua's Mesa center. so, every lot I bought since was bought blind in a sense. what I do is buy two bricks and shoot the lot if it shoots good, I buy 4 or more bricks or even a case if they have it.
Because of the current quality Lapua is producing I seem to have some pretty good luck finding ammo that shoots good. my last two ARA matches November and December this past year I agg. 2300 with ammo I bought blind. two different lots 1 Midas+and the other CX I finished the year with a 2149 agg. for 52 targets shooting ammo that was not tested at the center.
earlier this month in our club's informal UL match shooting the ARA UL I agg. 2366 shooting Lapua Pistol King I just bought from Bruno's in AZ in a rifle with a new barrel. Thank You Evelio!

So, I don't understand why nobody seems to be able to find ammo.
ammo is out there you just need to look and maybe not be looking for that killer lot!

Lee

 

[VLNBYR]

This month makes 6 years since I tested at Lapua's Mesa center. so, every lot I bought since was bought blind in a sense. what I do is buy two bricks and shoot the lot if it shoots good, I buy 4 or more bricks or even a case if they have it.
Because of the current quality Lapua is producing I seem to have some pretty good luck finding ammo that shoots good. my last two ARA matches November and December this past year I agg. 2300 with ammo I bought blind. two different lots 1 Midas+and the other CX I finished the year with a 2149 agg. for 52 targets shooting ammo that was not tested at the center.
earlier this month in our club's informal UL match shooting the ARA UL I agg. 2366 shooting Lapua Pistol King I just bought from Bruno's in AZ in a rifle with a new barrel. Thank You Evelio!

So, I don't understand why nobody seems to be able to find ammo.
ammo is out there you just need to look and maybe not be looking for that killer lot!

Lee

Lee....My experience with Lapua is very similar to yours. It isn't the ammo.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Lee....My experience with Lapua is very similar to yours. It isn't the ammo.

I believe so as well John. my point if you can find and test ammo by any means do so.

Lee

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

What’s enough lots? i know more than a few that were faced with 5-6 lots or swallow hard for next shipment.

Tim,

With the current situation if someone has a choice of 5 -6 lots versus zero if they chose to pass then it is on them not the ammo maker or test center.
I am on the waiting list for June, if they have 5-6 lots, I sure am not going to say never mind I will wait. I remember years ago that phrase, chasing ammo in today's world it surely is a reality!

Lee

 

[Dgd6mm]

Thank you John for the information and updates in your testing.