I've recently started tinkering with QuickLoad, and came across Chris Long's Optimal Barrel Time model. Plugging in the numbers from my go-to load in my bolt gun (the only one I load for "seriously"), I was surprised at how closely my real-world experience matched up with the model. Small sample size and all that, but others seem to have similarly positive experiences with OBT.
I'd like to use my AR-15 for an upcoming, informal High-Power competition (reduced range), but I don't have the time to do "real" load development. Plugging in the following particulars to the OBT model and to QuickLOAD, I find myself on a predicted OBT node:
52gr SMK @ 2.230"
23.9gr H322
30.3gr case capacity, 1.750" length
16.125" barrel length (bolt face to crown)
One point of note is that I'm using default values for the bullet and powder, rather than measuring my particular components (something that I can't do for the powder - no chrono).
Now, I'm not planning on shooting 1/4 MOA groups with this recipe, but if I have to take a stab at an "accuracy load," this seems like a reasonable approach to me. If we pretend for a second that I can outshoot the gun (I can't, at least in an unsupported position), does this methodology give me a pretty good shot at coming up with an accurate load? I'll probably only have one trip to the range in which to do some testing, so I need to limit the variables. Should I take what QL has given me and perhaps try a few different seating depths, or should I restrict my tuning to the more "coarse" variable of powder charge?
I'd like to use my AR-15 for an upcoming, informal High-Power competition (reduced range), but I don't have the time to do "real" load development. Plugging in the following particulars to the OBT model and to QuickLOAD, I find myself on a predicted OBT node:
52gr SMK @ 2.230"
23.9gr H322
30.3gr case capacity, 1.750" length
16.125" barrel length (bolt face to crown)
One point of note is that I'm using default values for the bullet and powder, rather than measuring my particular components (something that I can't do for the powder - no chrono).
Now, I'm not planning on shooting 1/4 MOA groups with this recipe, but if I have to take a stab at an "accuracy load," this seems like a reasonable approach to me. If we pretend for a second that I can outshoot the gun (I can't, at least in an unsupported position), does this methodology give me a pretty good shot at coming up with an accurate load? I'll probably only have one trip to the range in which to do some testing, so I need to limit the variables. Should I take what QL has given me and perhaps try a few different seating depths, or should I restrict my tuning to the more "coarse" variable of powder charge?
