how wide are your nodes?

[jmason]

When you guys are developing your loads do you find your nodes in a 9/10 of a grain window or are they real narrow like 2/10?

[BENNYBOOBOO]

With the limited load testing that I have done, I have found that I can still get acceptable accuracy by going 0.3 grains above or below my node.

For example: just worked up a load and found that my node was at 40.1 grains of H4895, outstanding accuracy. To test my load I loaded a total of 3 rounds each of 39.8, 40.1, and 40.4; shooting one round of each into three seperate 3-shot groups.

Each group contained one round of 39.8, 40.1, and 40.4 with the result of three groups all measuring right around .5" at a 100 yard target.

So I guess I would say that my nodes are typically around 1/2 grain wide.

EH

[boomtube]

It seems somewhat dependant on the size of the case but my experience has given good accuracy from a charge variation of +-.2 to +-.5 gr.

I've become comfortable to find the width of the node and then just drop charges in the middle. Rarely wish to weigh charges anymore, at least after load development tests.

[jmason]

I'm still pretty new at this and the gun I'm working on now (270 win, 135smk,imr4831) seems to have a very narrow high charge node +/-.2 I was wondering if something was fishy or was that somewhat normal?

[boomtube]

j, I've been doing this since the mid 60s but only load for myself and a few family and friends so I'm no expert with vast experiece across the board.

That said, your window is .4 gr wide and that seems common enough for a cartridge of that size, if the accuracy is indeed good. It's plenty wide enough that you shouldn't have to weigh each charge but with a coarse powder like 4831 I'd do it anyway.

Try to find some H-4831SC and see if it works as well as the IMR, it sure measures better.

[jmason]

I thought maybe the node would be a little wider. I had got .75-.9 Moa @ 200 yds on multiple sittings and ran out of that lot. Now I have a new lot which I'll try 3/10+ and 3/10- of the charge I was using in 1/10 increments. I hope the new lot doesn't give me problems. I've been working my @ss off just to get here. I've run about 150 rounds. I tried rl-22 but came up empty handed. As long as I can find this accuracy again with new lot I guess I'll move to seating depth. It's a factory gun, not a custom. Again I'm guessing here but .75-.9 moa is acceptable for a factory gun without changing the seating depth?

[summitsitter]

DA question what is a node yall are talking about?