Thread: A superb article on why "node load deveopment" is toast

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

I'd always considered nodes more related to barrel harmonics. How the barrel starts vibrating and the frequency was controlled primarily by barrel length, diameter, bedding points.

Originally Posted by gimp

If you want good groups get a better barrel and get good bullets and brass, the precision just happens

If you want better groups than that, you're wasting time unless shooting BR, but you'll probably want to get very particular about brass prep and charge weights

Yeah my understanding is the whole idea of nodes came from the belief that at certain velocities or powder charges, the barrel’s vibrations are more favourable for accuracy... therefore node load development is based on the idea of optimizing barrel harmonics.

Hornady’s scepticism of this whole 'node load development' may be due to their view of barrel harmonics, as they seem to believe this emphasis on tuning to barrel harmonics is overblown. They suggest that accuracy is more about focusing on load consistency and using quality components ie barrel, (Hornady) bullets , and powder, rather than obsessing over tiny variations in powder charge to match harmonic "sweet spots."

They base their whole argument on a statistical perspective as when using larger sample sizes the differences often attributed to "nodes" become statistically insignificant... ie larger sample sizes (e.g., 10-shot+ groups vs 3 to 5 shots) might show that the apparent advantages of a particular node are actually just the result of random variation in group size.

I'm all for saving time...get a match barrel, pick an accurate bullet and powder - as Gimp says precision is generally there.