Frank
Could be....so how about a blind test then. I'll cost a blind test using 3 Identical rifles, including identical scopes, with the same make barrels chambered in 308W (same reamer, same gunsmith) but with 10, 12 and 14" twists. When the rifles are finished we'll (or you can cast the bullets) cast up some bullets of your own design (NOE 311-165-FN) of any alloy you decide, size to fit the throats and lube with whatever lube you choose. After whatever barrel break in you prescribe we'll load your bullets with loads that gives 3 velocity levels; 1900 fps, 2200 fps and 2500 fps. I'll travel to what ever range you want and you can select the "blind shooters". They'll fire 100 rounds (I suggest 10 ten shot groups?) at 100, 200 and 300 yards not knowing which twist barrel or which load is used. We won't know either as each load batch will be coded by a third party. The "code" will be in a sealed envelope only to be opened after the shooting is done to identify which rifle, shooter, load was used on each target.
Obviously that is a lot of shooting/testing to get done under "identical" conditions unless, of course, you have a 300 yard climatically controlled indoor range available? If not as I certainly don't have one I suggest we shoot each load on separate days. That's 3 days of shooting so each blind shooter will need to be able to shoot 1,000 accurate shots per day to try to keep the "conditions" the same for all3 blind shooters.
We''ll track the groups by shooter and by code with each target being marked. We'll also chronograph every shot fired and track the MV, SD and ES of each group/target. We'll need 2700 rounds of each velocity load to satisfy joe's necessity of 100 shots needed for "data" validity for a total of 8,100 rounds plus any sighter/foulers that may be needed. Lets call it an even 9,000 rounds. I suggest cleaning the barrels between test groups or at least between ranges with each blind shooter? When the shooting is done we can have one or more third parties measure the groups size.
Then we can correlate the date per shooter per target per range per rifle. The accuracy with each load from each rifle at each range will then be self apparent based on no preconceived "bias".
So, I'll cost all that out and PM you the estimate. When I receive the funds from you for the rifles/scopes I'll get started on my end. You can cast the bullets and line up every thing to load the ammo on your end .....and line up the "blind" shooters, range etc.
The above is somewhat ridiculous but it points out just how out of reach "blind testing" can be, especially when it meets the "requirements" many here are dreaming up to "prove" something. The cost factor alone makes such testing almost prohibitive. I know Frank would simply respond with something like "it's your theory you have to prove it" as he has responded so in the past.
Let me ask several questions;
How many test results posted in the Fouling shot that have been validated by a "blind test"?
How many of the test results printed in the Fouling Shot have been questioned and discounted, even by Frank, because there wasn't a "blind test" conducted?
How many times have such test results posted in the Fouling Shot been referenced as factual results on this forum?
How many times have the record groups and scores shot in CBA matches been used as "proof" on this forum? Have any of those ever been validated by a "blind test"?
I think I'm in agreement with pat i, I'll just keep testing in the manner I have been to find what works.....
LMG
Concealment is not cover.........