The 5 minute is the one I watch the most and then the 6range is my permission chart.

5 minute chart in CL is too short term...Look to the 90 minute chart for yesterday's high/low as well as the overnight swing points... Trading (ie price movement) is nothing more than a series of tests, so look to trade for the nearest swing point after entering safely (not getting knocked out quickly) and if you are trading size, hold some for a bigger move past the swing point...

Its difficult to make money in oil if your target is only 10 ticks and most retracements can easily be greater than 10 ticks... Also, try using the 10R chart instead of the 6R chart because the 6R chart is way too noisy...(In my experience...)

I know that you're trying to limit your exposure, but if you want to make money in oil, you've got to be realistic about the costs of doing business, ie, 6-8 tick risk stops are too small to be successful in this market. Believe me, I've tried...

I trade 30 minute chart breakouts during key time windows and I'm not afraid to enter 2 or 3 times until the trade takes off... but I trade for 60-100 point moves so it pays off in spades.

I'm new to Big Mikes but pretty soon I'll be starting a thread to clarify some key trading concepts that CL traders could use to multiply their bankroll...

Hope this helps...