Discovering a rifle’s nodes is only one of many commonly-practiced load improvement procedures that handloaders comply with within the pursuit of making probably the most constant, correct ammo doable. The meticulous reloader will choose high quality powder, bullets, brass, primers, and different parts, then methodically take a look at totally different variables — primarily totally different cost weights and seating depths — to search out what works finest in every particular person gun. For the 24 years or in order that I’ve loaded my very own ammo, every thing I’ve learn, watched, and finished has centered on discovering simply the fitting mixture of cost weight and seating depth to determine the candy spot the place velocities settle right into a repeatable groove and teams tighten all the way down to nothing. I’ve burned numerous kilos of gunpowder, and managed to make some good ammo by following these procedures. However what if all that, together with discovering a rifle’s nodes, is simply nonsense — an phantasm created by small pattern sizes?
Getting Out of the Matrix
As I inform folks what I’m going to share with you, I really feel like I’m describing Neo within the film The Matrix. I used to be present fortunately in my religious-like beliefs about rifle accuracy and reloading when, on a wolf hunt in Alberta, I heard a couple of podcast episode that Hornady had revealed referred to as Ep. 50 Your Groups are Too Small. Within the episode, Hornady Senior Ballistician Jayden Quinlan and Mission Engineer Miles Neville introduced some concepts that problem lots of the commonly-used strategies for load improvement and gauging a rifle’s accuracy — all based mostly on 1000’s and 1000’s of rounds of take a look at taking pictures they’d finished. Ultimately I listened to it, and it made sense. I listened to it once more, and it began altering the way in which I thought of and outlined rifle accuracy. Extra importantly, I acknowledged the significance of utilizing vital pattern sizes — and the way I’d been misled by small pattern sizes in my very own testing and cargo improvement.
I listened to the follow-up episode (episode 52), then one other, and one other — realizing that a lot of what I thought of load improvement and the strategies I used had been all based mostly on small and, finally, invalid pattern sizes. Typically I’d strike gold with a great-shooting load, however now I do know that I may have simply picked a random cost weight and doubtless seen the identical outcomes. I felt fairly small on the considered how a lot gunpowder and time I’d wasted on load testing that was basically pointless.
We shooters and hunters usually have a tendency to stay with what we all know works, or what we consider works, no matter any proof on the contrary. To complicate this matter, skilled reloaders who comply with these practices and use good parts and tools normally do produce great-shooting ammo. Nonetheless, Neville posed the legitimate query: “If 100 totally different folks develop masses 100 other ways, and so they all find yourself with comparable outcomes, is it actually the tactic that issues?”
Like Neo within the film, as soon as I discovered that every thing I assumed I knew about load improvement could be a fantasy, I couldn’t flip again. Somewhat than remaining snug in my ignorance, I needed to dive additional into the rabbit gap to see if there could be a extra environment friendly technique to reload ammo, and a more practical technique to quantify and measure rifle accuracy.
Rifle Nodes: What Is a Node?
Many commonly-used phrases within the taking pictures group aren’t extensively understood or utilized in a constant context, so it’s vital to outline what we’re speaking about. The technical time period “node” refers back to the factors on a wave at which the amplitude or displacement is the smallest. By way of a vibrating object like a rifle barrel, it’s the purpose at which the vibrating barrel strikes the least. A rifle barrel does have nodes because it vibrates throughout and after a shot is fired, however when somebody refers to “discovering their rifle’s nodes,” they’re referring to discovering the cost weight and velocity that causes the bullet to exit at or close to that node or lifeless spot within the barrel’s motion because it vibrates backwards and forwards. That’s one dominant thought, however I’ve heard a wide range of theoretical explanations of the connection between a barrel’s vibrations, bullet exit timing, and cost weight.
Whether or not you wish to name it a node, candy spot, or optimum cost weight, shooters have developed many strategies for homing in on the best-shooting mixture for his or her rifles. Probably the most frequent strategies is to run a velocity ladder take a look at. There are lots of other ways these are carried out, however they normally contain incrementally growing cost weights — normally one to 3 rounds per cost weight — that begin low, then find yourself close to or at e book most. These may be priceless for getting a tough thought of what velocity every cost weight ought to produce, or let you know whenever you’ve hit your strain restrict, however many reloaders use ladder exams to search out “nodes” or flat spots — consecutive costs with comparatively little change in velocity. In idea, the center of this “node” ought to produce constant, forgiving velocity, even when your cost weight varies by a pair tenths of a grain.
One other fashionable methodology for locating that candy spot is known as the OCW or “optimum cost weight” take a look at. This primarily makes use of accuracy and level of impression to find out one of the best load. The OCW take a look at prescribes loading three rounds per cost weight in a ladder take a look at style, however taking pictures every cost weight at a separate aiming level. You’ll then calculate your imply level of impression for every cost weight and, like a velocity ladder take a look at, search for the tightest correlation of outcomes. Your three consecutive cost weights that produce the closest factors of impression spotlight your “node.”
At face worth, plenty of these items is smart. It appears logical {that a} given rifle would favor sure cost weights of sure powders, relying on the bullet. However perhaps it solely appears logical as a result of that’s what we’ve all the time believed and confirmed with small samples. In spite of everything, there’s those that consider the earth is flat as a result of we might be flung off a spinning, spherical earth. What should you choose a bullet to your rifle, and both it shoots effectively with a given powder, or not? It could change every thing about how we method load improvement — for the higher.
Discover the Nodes, Then Check Them
As compelling because the super quantity of knowledge compiled by the fellows at Hornady is, I wanted to see it for myself. They discovered that when utilizing the small pattern sizes (that everybody makes use of for these exams), a shooter will see consistencies in accuracy and velocity which might be actually simply random noise throughout the outer limits of the system. The issue? They’re not repeatable. After they elevated their pattern sizes, they noticed all of those imaginary nodes disappear.
After I introduced up the topic with Taking pictures Editor John B. Snow, he mentioned that each one his information had supported the concept that chasing nodes doesn’t acquire you something. He and different high-level shooters at staff occasions will even tailor their masses to focus on matching velocities to simplify drop and windage calculations between taking pictures companions — that’s what he did in his Nightforce ELR Match prep final 12 months.
I needed to check this as completely as I may, so I made a decision to make use of three rifles in three totally different calibers (.223 Rem., 6.5 Creedmoor, and .30/06) with various levels of accuracy and parts, and deal with them as if I used to be attempting to develop a load. I picked a powder and bullet, then ran each velocity ladder and OCW exams to search out my nodes. Then, I loaded 30-shot samples at every “node,” a pattern on the “antinode” or worst-looking spot, and a fourth 30-shot pattern to fill any huge gaps within the cost weight spectrum. Any statistics textbook will let you know that 30 samples is a minimal good quantity for pattern dimension, and although I anticipated some variability with that, they would definitely be extra correct than 3-, 5-, or 10-shot teams.
Check Rifles
I chosen three totally different rifles and calibers with totally different capabilities for this take a look at. I needed to see what a match-grade barrel would do, certain, however I additionally needed to see if this issues for mid-priced rifles and budget-grade rifles. In spite of everything, I’ve heard many arguments that price range rifles can shoot simply in addition to dearer weapons, it simply takes growing the load it likes. I chosen parts and powders that had been caliber-appropriate that I had in inventory, however not with any specific technique.
Discovering the Nodes
The primary take a look at I carried out was a primary 10-shot velocity ladder, utilizing one shot per cost weight. I used Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center to search out protected load ranges with my parts, and incrementally elevated cost weights by 0.3 grains with the 6.5 Creedmoor and .30/06, and 0.2 grains with the .223. I famous spots with the smallest incremental modifications in velocity and in contrast them to the extra three velocities from the OCW take a look at (which I carried out subsequent) to search out my suspected nodes. These velocity “flat spots” appeared constant between the 1-shot and 3-shot exams. I referred to as this cost weight my “velocity node.”
After the speed ladder take a look at, I cleaned the barrels, re-fouled with 5 pictures apiece, and carried out an OCW take a look at, giving the barrels loads of time to chill between teams. As talked about above, I recorded velocities in my OCW take a look at, however for this node, I correlated my factors of impression to search out my OCW node or “accuracy node.” Beneath is a desk detailing the nodes I discovered, the “antinode” or least constant cost weight, and the fourth cost weight that I examined. Velocities are those recorded throughout this testing session.
| Rifle | Cost Weight Vary | Velocity Node | OCW Node | Antinode |
| Savage .223 Rem. | 21.7 to 23.5 grains | 23.1 grains / 2,736 fps | 22.3 grains / 2,598 fps | 22.3 grains / 2,535 fps |
| Ruger 6.5 CM | 39.1 to 41.8 grains | 41.5 grains / 2,611 fps | 40.6 grains/ 2,529 fps | 39.7 grains / 2,468 fps |
| Remington .30/06 | 54.8 to 57.5 grains | 56.9 grains / 2,751 fps | 56.6 grains / 2730 fps | 55.1 grains / 2,652 fps |
Subsequent, I’d enhance the pattern dimension to see how these nodes would maintain as much as extra scrutiny. I did word that the speed and OCW nodes I discovered for the .30/06 had been solely 0.3 grains aside, however each of the opposite rifles confirmed considerably totally different nodes in every take a look at. I discovered the OCW node and velocity “antinode” to completely line up at 22.3 grains of powder within the .223.
Testing the Nodes
To check each nodes and the opposite two cost weights, I loaded 30 rounds of every, plus 5 fouling pictures. I fired these take a look at batches over the course of two totally different days, and a temperature distinction of round 15 to twenty levels between days. I examined the speed node and antinode the primary day at about 5 levels, then the OCW node and fourth cost weight on the second day at about 20 levels. I fired every 30-shot mixture in the identical format: 5 3-shot teams, then 3 5-shot teams, letting barrels cool between teams. I did this to see and present the variability in group sizes with small samples, and I used group evaluation software program to correlate factors of intention to indicate excessive unfold of the group and calculate imply radius (the typical distance by which pictures missed the middle of the group). I recorded every shot’s velocity within the take a look at, and got here away with 30-shot samples for moderately correct velocity common and normal deviation figures.
If these nodes are actual, or any optimum cost weight exists, one in all these take a look at samples ought to present considerably higher — and even simply totally different outcomes than the others. The Hornady crew claimed to have discovered no vital change in group dimension with various cost weights — besides that group sizes appeared to lower barely as cost weight decreased. What would my information say? After over 600 rounds fired, recorded, and tabulated, right here’s what I discovered:
Savage M110 Carbon Predator: .223
This was probably the most correct rifle within the take a look at, one which I’ve used to judge .223 and 5.56mm ammo, and it’ll reliably print 20- and 30-shot teams at an inch or much less at 100 yards with a number of kinds of ammo.
Figuring out the Nodes
- Velocity Node: I decided that 23.1 grains was probably the most promising velocity node. It was the center floor of the three consecutive cost weights with the smallest change in velocity (35.2 fps whole change over .4 grains of powder between 22.9 and 23.3 grains)
- OCW Node: Primarily based on accuracy, I pegged the OCW node at 22.3 grains as a result of cost weights of twenty-two.1, 22.3, and 22.5 grains had the closest consecutive imply factors of impression (a .22-inch unfold)
- Velocity Antinode: Apparently, the antinode appeared at 22.3 grains, identical because the OCW node. It had the best change in velocity throughout three consecutive cost weights (189.1 fps whole change over .4 grains of powder between 22.1 and 22.5 grains)
- Extra Information Factors: As a result of my OCW node and Velocity antinode had been the identical, I elected to check each minimal and most cost weights (21.9 and 23.5 grains) to fill within the blanks.
Giant Pattern Outcomes
This rifle produced good excessive unfold and imply radius numbers on this take a look at too, however I used to be shocked by the comparatively poor velocity SD numbers. From e book min to e book max for cost weight, you may see that common velocity elevated with cost weight in a linear style as one would count on, however velocity SD, group dimension or excessive unfold, and imply radius present virtually no change from huge modifications in cost weight. The bottom cost weight produced the tightest accuracy, and it slowly elevated together with cost weight, with the e book most producing the biggest group dimension and imply radius.
Learn Subsequent: What Is Mean Radius, and Why Should We Care?
I did discover that at my “velocity node,” the speed SD was noticeably extra constant than the opposite samples — one thing which may make me assume that it actually is a repeatable node. To double verify, I loaded one other 30-shot pattern at that cost weight, repeated the take a look at, and the SD fell proper according to the opposite samples. The SD from the repeat of that pattern was really worse then the calculated “antinode” which ought to be a much less forgiving cost weight based on node idea. In different phrases, none of my nodes held up. Temperature was about 20 levels hotter when the repeat pattern was fired, accounting for a slight bump in velocity
| Cost Weight | Velocity Node | Velocity Antinode | OCW Node | Common Velocity (30 pictures) | Customary Deviation (Velocity) | Excessive Unfold (Group Measurement) | Imply Radius |
| 21.9 | 2582 | 35.6 | 0.904 | 0.262 | |||
| 22.3 | X | X | 2642 | 30.2 | 1.104 | 0.319 | |
| 23.1 | X | 2778.11 | 23.9 | 1.089 | 0.275 | ||
| 23.5 | 2848.1 | 32.1 | 1.371 | 0.333 | |||
| 23.1 (2nd pattern) | X | 2802.7 | 36.6 | 1.16 | 0.244 |
Ruger American Gen 2: 6.5 Creedmoor
Principally model new, this rifle confirmed itself to be an excellent shooter, and offered some nice information. I chosen H4350, a super 6.5 Creedmoor powder, so I wasn’t shocked when the frequent go-to cost weight of 41.5 grains confirmed promise as a velocity node.
Figuring out the Nodes
- Velocity Node: I decided that 41.5 grains was probably the most promising velocity node. It was the center floor of the three consecutive cost weights with the smallest change in velocity (24.8 fps whole change over .7 grains of powder between 41.2 and 41.8 grains)
- OCW Node: Primarily based on accuracy, I discovered the OCW node at 40.6 grains as a result of cost weights of 40.3, 40.6, and 40.9 grains had the closest consecutive imply factors of impression (a .21-inch unfold)
- Velocity Antinode: The antinode appeared at 39.7 grains. It had the best change in velocity throughout three consecutive cost weights (94.5 fps whole change over .7 grains of powder between 39.4 and 40 grains)
- Extra Information Factors: I chosen my fourth cost weight at 39.1 grains to get a consultant pattern from the decrease fourth of the protected load vary — this one being a minimal load.
Giant Pattern Outcomes
Not far off the 41.5-grain velocity node, 40.6 was a promising OCW node. Just like the .223 although, the take a look at samples on this 6.5 Creed confirmed virtually equivalent outcomes for accuracy and velocity SD from e book min to max. Once more, the minimal cost weight produced the tightest dispersion and, this time, one of the best velocity consistency. Not one of the masses had been outdoors the anticipated error vary of the pattern dimension.
| Cost Weight | Velocity Node | Velocity Antinode | OCW Node | Common Velocity | Customary Deviation (Velocity) | Excessive Unfold (Group dimension) | Imply Radius |
| 39.1 | 2485 | 11.4 | 1.108 | 0.285 | |||
| 39.7 | X | 2498 | 18.4 | 1.695 | 0.369 | ||
| 40.6 | X | 2572 | 14.9 | 1.457 | 0.332 | ||
| 41.5 | X | 2625 | 19.7 | 1.114 | 0.355 |
Remington 710: .30/06
I selected this rifle — my first looking rifle — to symbolize the price range class for this take a look at. I killed my first moose, bears, caribou, and Dall sheep with this gun, and it’s the rifle I discovered methods to handload with. A part of my function for testing this rifle was to see if a typically less-precise rifle would present the identical correlations. It’s actually a noisier system, with larger variability. If there’s a rifle {that a} carefully-selected cost weight would profit, it’s this one, proper?
Figuring out the Nodes
- Velocity Node: I decided that 56.9 grains was probably the most promising velocity node. It was the center floor of the three consecutive cost weights with the smallest change in velocity (8.2 fps whole change over .7 grains of powder between 56.6 and 57.2 grains)
- OCW Node: Primarily based on accuracy, I discovered the OCW node at 55.6 grains as a result of cost weights of 55.3, 55.6, and 55.9 grains had the closest consecutive imply factors of impression (a .59-inch unfold)
- Velocity Antinode: The antinode appeared at 55.1 grains. It confirmed the best change in velocity throughout three consecutive cost weights (66 fps whole change over .7 grains of powder between 54.8 and 55.4 grains)
- Extra Information Factors: I chosen my fourth cost weight at 55.9 grains to fill in a niche between minimum-level masses and the nodes on the higher finish of the spectrum.
Giant Pattern Outcomes
Amazingly, or not amazingly, the Remington produced extremely constant outcomes. They had been constantly dangerous, however constant. Throughout all 4 samples, the speed SD and group dimension barely modified, and the imply radius of all samples was practically equivalent.
I did word that my “velocity node” confirmed a barely decrease common velocity than the OCW node. It wasn’t totally odd — 0.3 grains is a really small change in cost weight, and it was 15 levels or so hotter once I shot the 56.6-grain pattern. All the way down to solely 15 bullets, I loaded one other 15-shot pattern of the 56.9-grain “velocity node” load and re-shot (on that day, it was roughly 20 to 25 levels hotter than the unique firing).
Once more, accounting for the ambient temperature distinction, velocity, group dimension, and imply radius fell proper according to earlier samples. Due to the smaller pattern dimension, velocity SD was on par to finish up within the 17- to 25 feet-per-second vary as effectively. Might or not it’s a real node? Possibly, however contemplating that once more, probably the most correct pattern was the bottom cost weight examined and the “antinode,” I extremely doubt it.
| Cost Weight | Velocity Node | Velocity Antinode | OCW Node | Common Velocity | Customary Deviation (Velocity) | Excessive Unfold (Group dimension) | Imply Radius |
| 55.1 | X | 2669 | 22.8 | 3.75 | 0.904 | ||
| 55.9 | 2711 | 25.8 | 3.215 | 0.986 | |||
| 56.6 | X | 2758 | 20.2 | 3.636 | 1.07 | ||
| 56.9 | X | 2754 | 17.8 | 4.244 | 1.126 | ||
| 56.9 (2nd pattern — 15 pictures) | X | 2771 | 13.9 | 3.312 | 1.113 |
Shoot Extra to Shoot Much less
Transferring to bigger pattern sizes has actually modified the way in which I take into consideration load improvement and rifle accuracy. It’s like I’m seeing the true world for the primary time — an extremely liberating feeling. My take a look at wasn’t practically as intensive as those that Neville and Quinlan have finished, and if I had the time and sources to shoot 50- or 100-shot teams at each tenth of a grain, I’d. Does this testing unequivocally show that ladder exams don’t work, or that crafting your handloads to match your nodes isn’t an actual factor? No, however there are nonetheless folks carrying masks of their automobiles, alone, as a result of somebody advised them it could preserve them protected. Santa isn’t actual both, guys.
It may appear that merely loading a 20-round batch of a primary load pattern is loopy and inefficient, however the outcomes are the outcomes. You’re going to get a consultant group dimension and velocity SD for the complete vary of cost weights. If it’s dangerous, change your powder or bullet. If it’s good, load one other pattern to confirm or goal a unique velocity. They’re all going to shoot about the identical — besides that decrease cost weights development in direction of producing barely tighter teams. You’ll both have your load improvement finished or scrap that powder inside 20 or 30 pictures, the place it’d take you 50, 60, or 100 pictures of chasing your tail with small-sample cost weight exams.
Closing Ideas on Rifle Nodes and Load Growth
Within the technique of accepting the validity of enormous pattern sizes, I’ve needed to eat some humble pie. Rifles I’d sworn to be dead-nuts shooters are literally simply OK, and being trustworthy with myself means figuring out that I spent plenty of money and time spinning my wheels, chasing the mirage of an optimum cost weight. The rifles are all nonetheless the identical weapons, however now I’ve a extra practical and efficient technique to quantify their accuracy and a no-nonsense, extra environment friendly technique to load ammo for them.
The idea of vibration nodes timed with bullet exit appears logical when an completed shooter and reloader is confidently lecturing you on the topic. But when this had been true, your good node load would exit the window with any main change in temperature that altered your velocity. Finally, it simply doesn’t maintain as much as massive pattern testing, not even slightly bit.
I didn’t experiment with modifications in seating depth on this take a look at. One of many issues that Neville and Quinlan noticed of their testing was that modifications in seating depth, like cost weight, didn’t end in any significant modifications in accuracy. I used to experiment with seating depth and cargo bullets so long as they’d match within the journal, however a pair years again, I began loading every thing to the cartridge general size that the reloading information prompt. I’ve observed no distinction in accuracy. A simple proof of this may be to shoot a 30 shot pattern at your “perfect” seating depth and one other at a unique seating depth (at the very least a .030-inch change). They may look totally different with 3-, 5-, or 10-shot samples, however will that maintain up with 30?
This ought to be nice information for everybody from hunters to match shooters, however I count on many seasoned reloaders to be skeptical. Even should you’re not satisfied but, take your favourite rifle, your favourite, painstakingly-developed load, and shoot a 30-shot pattern. Evaluate it to a 30-shot pattern of a random or book-minimum cost weight. Be trustworthy with your self, and let the information do the remainder. Worst case, you’re down 60 rounds and received some further apply on the bench. Not like The Matrix, one of the best case is peeling again the curtain to a world the place you’re not needlessly and unwittingly slaving away to procedures that don’t matter. That’s a capsule everybody ought to swallow.
