Thread: Best/simplest alternative to a ladder chart?

Originally Posted by Puffin

You are right to question the value of ladder testing as typically carried out, particularly in the present day when consumable costs are pushing reloaders in the direction of attempting to extract more information from less data. I posted my thoughts here several years ago: https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....testing-45701/

Some might say I'm sidestepping the original question, but I'd propose as the most cost effective approach; to put a barrel from one of the top tier manufacturers onto the rifle, and have it chambered by someone who knows what they are doing, use quality components in making the ammunition (including a temperature-stable powder) and with a bullet that is well matched to the twist rate; then the rifle should have a good chance of shooting well with any charge weight within the recognised range for the cartridge each time it is taken out, and it isn't necessary to go wasting ammo.

Brian Litz interview videos are always interesting to watch. It never takes long before he gets into discussing the importance of statistical variation in group sizes, and with good reason. Here are a couple of many such interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSLQ01VX3yM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0RC17Dbtws

Thanks Puffin for your most excellent posts on this subject, especially in the linked threads. To your thoughts I would add that many shooters (me included haha) are seeking groups to stoke their ego rather than meeting the purposes of "the rifle package" be it a PRS, NRA or a hunting rifle where long range shots are contemplated. This is why 3 shot groups are so useless due to their statistical unreliability! I RO a lot and see some excellent shooting by guys who "can shoot" but at least 50% of them stuff themselves up by shooting a couple of very small 3 shot groups (often having used up quite a bit of barrel not to mention componentry) and calling it good. Then I hear a match report from them that "my rifle shot like shit" or "my zero was off". A ten shot group might not have produced a very "show off" target but I bet their match score would be significantly better.

Just for a laugh I'll soon post up a OCW test I went out and shot with a new rifle just to test my own advice at the beginning of the thread.