Thread: Testing a conventional approach to load development

Originally Posted by Pop Shot

My initial thoughts too, but good thread none the less.

I'm about to start developing a load for my 16" 308, and for me personally... I will do it as @gimp first did. Something along the lines of 5x3 shot groups, choose the group that looks the best by all accounts (soze and velocity etc) and try and replicate it a few times, and then shoot some animals. Call it job done.

I don't need a sub MOA 10 shot rifle. It's a Tikka anyway, so it already shoots 0.5 MOA without me.

I think you might be missing a point… gimp is indicating that the old school method that you describe above is a waste of ammo and time. By your logic why not just take your own advice and pick a projectile and powder charge that will give a suitable velocity, shoot one 5 shot group and call it done?

What gimp has done above by picking the best and worst 3 shot, and replicating with 20 shots just proves that the 3 shot group load testing is a waste of time, especially when we all no it’s going to shoot “good enough ”for what a 16” 308 should be doing