I'd recommend any novice to the world of reloading not use OCW; and not use Eric's or any other YouTube channel as their guiding light.
I'd recommend, instead, that they buy one of the mainstream load manuals, probably the one put out by the maker of the bullet they wish to start with. That manual will describe all the steps needed to be successful. And it will give actual powder charges, as tested in their lab.
I'd recommend that new reloader keep things simple. Just use the cartridge overall length that's in the manual. Start with a simple charge weight ladder.
There's plenty of time later to add all sorts of nuanced techniques like those discussed at length in forums like this; or on YouTube channels like Eric's.
At the beginning, you - the royal "you," we've all been there - don't know what you don't know. Get the basics down first.
Welcome to the other half of shooting...
Many thanks for your comments. I tried "load development" on my 30-06 this weekend. Was a bit of a disaster. Borrowed the shops range radar , but that did not work properly. Both kids were sick so I could not use them as the trigger men, as I am a crap shot.
It was still fun though, but as a total newbie i am getting quite confused with this whole precision malarky. I was recommended to look up Gordons reloading tool, and that is great, but even more confusing for a newbie. Then the powder maker had their range of options, Gordons had its ideas and I did not even think to look at Hornaday for their recommendations.
I am at the point of conceding that I can take the odd impala, warthog and Blue Wildebeest with what I have , so perhaps I should just be content with that, but the reloading guy at the range/shop said he is going to keep the rifle this week and come up with something.
To be honest for the only thing I am concerned about, is knowing where the guard rails are? I just want to be operating well inside the safe region, and don't want to do a kentucky ballistics on my self or any of the kids.
On Friday pm I had my son on the trigger and he got some good results but the best group was still well north of 1MOA, but I was loading on the lower end of the powder manufactures range for 30-06 with 180 grain hornady interlock rushing down range around 2550fps when the radar was behaving.
The reloading guy at the store, said I should up the load to around 2650fps, so I tried that on Saturday with a range in 0.2gr increments, but with the kids down, I was on the trigger and the whole exercise was a bust due to inability of the trigger man.
Anyway, we have a powder whisperer in the group that owns the range/store, so I am going to see If my local man can co-ordinate with him to put the gun closer to the mark. If that fails, I may be forced to go and look at truvelo or victrix, if this longer range stuff bug bites.
There seems to be a heck of a lot more to learn with this rifle stuff, that just cranking the handle on the dillon for the 9mm.
I hope to come back to this group and learn more, but at this stage, I don't even know what questions to ask, but at least one can pick up some pointers like looking at the bullet makers for tips. Many thanks again.