Trade off... accuracy for speed

[Lefty Trigger]

Guess you don't own a Creedmoor!

Actually I do, two of them and they both shoot really awesome even at the slower speeds of around 2600fps. However I'm not out to 1000yds yet either, still working up to that but asking these questions is how I learn from reading all the replies.

 

[Tommie]

Poodle shooter here. Accuracy is the ultimate goal but exterior ballistics rule the day. I always settle on the fastest node.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id hate to know i chose to miss the target going as fast as it will go instead of as accurate as it will go. “Man i missed that whole target but wow! Did you see that chrony number?”

 

[MikeMcCasland]

The only time I've ever traded accuracy for speed was when I was getting absurdly low speed numbers. I was shooting a gas .260 at relatively mild 6.5 Grendel velocities. It would one hole them, but there's no point in having a .260 if you're pushing 123s at 2500fps when they should be upwards of 2900-3000. If we're just talking 100-150fps, and I'm not trying to keep it supersonic at a specific range, then by all means accuracy.

 

[Ned Ludd]

There is a huge difference between trying to get every possible scrap of velocity, and developing a well-tuned load that just happens to be at a higher velocity node. There will generally be an accuracy node for a given cartridge/bullet/powder combination that falls slightly under MAX pressure, with a case fill ratio of around 95-103%. In my hands, the precision at that particular [faster] node is generally every bit as good, if not better, than the next slower node. If the precision is comparable, you're really not sacrificing anything by going with the faster node, and you just might be gaining a little more resistance to wind deflection. The primary caveat to that statement would be specific combinations where recoil management was noticeably more difficult with the faster load. However, in that case, the precision will often not be as good as the slower node, anyhow; not because of the load itself, but because of gun handling issues.

Within reason, there is nothing at all wrong with using a slower node. But there is also nothing wrong with using a faster node; as long as the precision is comparable AND other issues such as excessive pressure, poor brass life, gun handling issues, excessively high ES/SD, etc., don't arise at the higher velocity. In other words, the load at the faster node simply has to satisfy whatever criteria are set forth for any load development process, fast or slow.

 

[1shot]

I will never trade raw speed for accuracy. I will also seek the upper node to take advantage of the BC of the bullet, but only is it isn't trashing the brass.
"Fast is fine, accuracy is final".

Lloyd

 

[Phil]

I am a speed freak, but will always give in to accuracy, it`s more fun to his something than miss it.....

 

[NorCalMikie]

“Man i missed that whole target but wow! Did you see that chrony number?”

Speed doesn't mean SQUAT if you can't hit what you're aiming at.
And MAX LOADS arn't any good if you have to "beat the bolt open" when it gets hot outside. Never hurts to leave yourself a little wiggle room when it comes to node hunting.