Timber Wall Framing Studs are Consistently Placed 600 centres with Nogs. Is this the most Efficient Arrangement

In the categories considered above studs spaced at 600 centres are less efficient than those spaced at 400 centres,except for the 1% difference in timber volume.The main reasons that I have heard of for using nogs are that they absorb the short ends of timber, which reduces wastage, and they help prevent studs from buckling on drying. These reasons are not so relevant for dry framing. At present dry frame can be bought in cut lengths at the same price as random lengths. Thus a house lot of studs can be ordered with no wastage at all.The main advantages of studs at 400 centres are that the number of stud/nog cuts is reduced by 31% and the number of nails in the frame is reduced by 50%. Before placing linings timber framing in New Zealand is usually wetted by showers which can lead to a small percentage of studs twisting and buckling. Some builders replace these out of shape studs just before applying the external cladding. If this is carried out studs at 400centres will need 50% more replacements.