Revolutionary New Barrel Accuracy Testing

[Marty]

Good Morning.

I've seen a thread developing on an Australian forum which is quite interesting, and has the ability to take barrel tuning and accuracy to the next level.

The thread is itself a reflection on a longer term testing protocol development program which I guess by the posts on the other forum was on-line somewhere but has been recently taken down. From what I read, just before the web site was taken down they were ready to publish some data but the attached pdf was all they got.

For those that don't have access over there, the testing protocol is attached here and makes for interesting reading.

For those looking for background, the original link is https://www.ozfclass.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14038

 

[CharlieNC]

Interesting approach. When doing a standard ladder test I also measure horizontal as well as vertical poi, and very often see a high correlation between them. So at times the charge node is for both.

 

[jelenko]

I'm not buying it.
I choose the load that produces the smallest group - I've never found the small group to not be very round/symmetrical.

I'm not saying there are small groups that have very small vertical or horizontal but larger the other - just don't choose those.

 

[jackieschmidt]

You have heard Short Range Shooters such as myself discuss the aspects of tune where I warn against getting into what I call a “horizontal node”. Shooters will see the Rifle shooting flat and assume it is in a competitive tune.

This especially comes into play at 200 yards. You will see shooters looking at their targets with five holes straight across making a 1 inch + group. Somebody will say…….”at least your rifle is in tune”.

Well, no it’s not. If you are stringing shots in the horizonal and you cannot see by your flag reading ability what caused it, then the Rifle is in a horizontal node.

This can really be aggravating in Score Shooting Where any slight difference in the horizontal push can push the more substantially more than you expected.

The cure for this you have to change something. Many will change the seating depth a little. Others the charge, others neck tension. But in all honesty, the easiest way is with a tuner.

If I sense my 30BR is in a horizontal mode, I can adjust the tuner to induce a little vertical.

I can deal with a half of bullet hole of vertical a lot easier that trying to keep the bullet on the X while fighting a Rifle that wants to string them .300 horizontally.

I read the entire link, and it makes sense If you rely on a Ladder Test to ascertain your Rifles capability. I do not do ladder tests where you load up various combinations in the hope that one will show promise. There are too many things that can affect a competitive tune.

I load at the range, just like in matches, so I can make instant changes on the spot, in the same conditions. This also allows a shooter to right then and there confirm if his tune is indeed correct or if he just got lucky with one combo.

I know it is different in the Long Range game, where other factors of tune come into play. A prime one is a load that will shoot .200 or better at 100 yards but has a velocity spread of 25+ fps. That’s not going to affect the Short Range guys as long as the bullets go on top of one another.

But that kind of spread out past 600+ yards will result in a bad day at the office.

 

[K22]

I'm not a competitive rifle shooter. The only time I ever shot competitive rifle was eons ago, in the late 60's, three position small bore. Gee, that seems like a different lifetime, probably because it was.

I also don't engage in much load development these days because I have established loads that work quite well in all my rifles. Although that might change due to this component shortage mess so I might have to dust off my front and rear rests. In addition, being a varmint and predator hunter that shoots at modest distances, i.e., under 300 yards, I'm in the 1/2 moa crowd so my requirements are fairly modest by competitive standards.

Anyway, after years of testing loads, I've found that the most reliable loads are the ones that group in the shape of a three-leaf clover, i.e., minimum vertical / horizontal spread. Not very scientific or profound I admit, but these loads in my experience produce the most reliable point of impact repeatability, a critical element which doesn't seem to get much discussion, just group size. This might be of use to average guys like me.

 

[1kbrxDave]

remember what day it is today. :}

 

[jackieschmidt]

remember what day it is today. :}

If It’s an April Fools Joke, it’s a darned well thought out one. loL.

 

[Dave M.]

You have heard Short Range Shooters such as myself discuss the aspects of tune where I warn against getting into what I call a “horizontal node”. Shooters will see the Rifle shooting flat and assume it is in a competitive tune.

This especially comes into play at 200 yards. You will see shooters looking at their targets with five holes straight across making a 1 inch + group. Somebody will say…….”at least your rifle is in tune”.

Well, no it’s not. If you are stringing shots in the horizonal and you cannot see by your flag reading ability what caused it, then the Rifle is in a horizontal node.

This can really be aggravating in Score Shooting Where any slight difference in the horizontal push can push the more substantially more than you expected.

The cure for this you have to change something. Many will change the seating depth a little. Others the charge, others neck tension. But in all honesty, the easiest way is with a tuner.

If I sense my 30BR is in a horizontal mode, I can adjust the tuner to induce a little vertical.

I can deal with a half of bullet hole of vertical a lot easier that trying to keep the bullet on the X while fighting a Rifle that wants to string them .300 horizontally.

I read the entire link, and it makes sense If you rely on a Ladder Test to ascertain your Rifles capability. I do not do ladder tests where you load up various combinations in the hope that one will show promise. There are too many things that can affect a competitive tune.

I load at the range, just like in matches, so I can make instant changes on the spot, in the same conditions. This also allows a shooter to right then and there confirm if his tune is indeed correct or if he just got lucky with one combo.

I know it is different in the Long Range game, where other factors of tune come into play. A prime one is a load that will shoot .200 or better at 100 yards but has a velocity spread of 25+ fps. That’s not going to affect the Short Range guys as long as the bullets go on top of one another.

But that kind of spread out past 600+ yards will result in a bad day at the office.

I think Tony Boyer said he always preferred a load with a little vertical in it, to one that shot completely flat, in order to have it shoot better in crosswinds (pg. 269 in Boyer’s The Book of Rifle Accuracy)
Dave

 

[Ned Ludd]

If It’s an April Fools Joke, it’s a darned well thought out one. loL.

I think the April Fool's rub with the new tuning method is that you no longer turn the tuner. The tuner always remains in the exact same position. Now you turn the rifle instead.

 

[joshb]

With the component shortage raging, I’m using a new method for my next 2 builds. I’ll put them together, all nice and pretty, then imagine how well they shoot. I think they’ll shoot really well so I won’t have to waste any components!

 

[Marty]

Well Ladies and Gents,
enough time has passed now, so I just wanted to complement both

1kbrxDave and jackieschmidt on their insight in spotting the joke. I'm also sure many more will have seen straight through it with your replies being courteously subtle.​

If you read the entirety of the protocol, I hope in some small way that the idea of turning a rifle on its side around to 90 degrees, looking through the scope and hoping to hit ANY target, let alone the one the scope is aiming at, and then achieving the mythical results shown, gave you all a good chuckle.
I hope I got just enough theoretical "believability" into the concept to make you think twice before smiling about it.

I also loved the comment:
I think the April Fool's rub with the new tuning method is that you no longer turn the tuner. The tuner always remains in the exact same position. Now you turn the rifle instead.

The intent was certainly to have a light hearted moment in these somewhat testing times, and it does look like it stirred some thinking and mirth.
Best wishes to all and stay safe!
Marty.