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February 21, 2009, 09:29 PM | #1 |
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Best reads to start reloading for best accuracy?
What are the best reads for someone just starting into reloading or hand loading. I want to reload for accuracy.
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February 21, 2009, 10:08 PM | #2 |
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I recommend that you get as many manuals as you can, and follow them precisely; that is bullet brand/style, powder, charge, primer. Weigh each charge and practice each step of the process, taking your time and enjoying it. It takes some practice to hone your skills.
Start at the lower level of powder charge for the bullet being used, and work your way up to your goal. The most powerful charges are not necessarily the most accurate. I have never tried to make "hot" loads myself. I always seek to emulate the factory velocities at best, in the process of finding the most accurate load. I think you will find handloading to be a relaxing, and fulfilling hobby. One can spend many interesting hours crafting just the right loads that make shooting a real pleasure. Never hurry and focus on safety. Good Luck!
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February 22, 2009, 09:46 AM | #3 |
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The Nosler, Sierra and Lyman manuals indicate which of their published loads gave good accuracy in their trials. Many of their accuracy loads have worked for me as well.
They are becoming quite dated now, but I still enjoy every single article Ken Waters wrote. There is a lot of useful information in those stories, especially if you like the "old timers" cartridges. The books, of course are "Pet Loads" and the two volumn set is still available. |
February 22, 2009, 09:55 AM | #4 |
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Pretty much any of the standard reloading manuel, but if you wont to get down to the real nitty gritty try:
The Accurate Rifle, By Warren Page The Complete Guide to Reloading, By Col. P. Sharp Why Not Reload Your Own, By Col. T. Whelen Military and Sporting Rifle Shooting, By Cpt Crossman To name a few.
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February 22, 2009, 12:29 PM | #5 |
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There is ONE book to start with, then the rest
Sinclair International's Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook. http://sinclairintl.com |
February 22, 2009, 03:03 PM | #6 |
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One by Glen Zediker, called making the bullseye larger, or some such name.
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February 22, 2009, 04:22 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
What all equipment based shills omit is that shooting is a skill. You want to get good?: shoot until you are butt deep in brass. Shooting is a skill that must be practiced. The human error is the largest error in the system, assuming decent bullets, barrels and bedding. Try smallbore. Hard as heck, and it is only a rimfire. And it exposes all the sins which happen with poor sight alignment, awful trigger pull, and inconsistent stock weld. |
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February 22, 2009, 07:53 PM | #8 |
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THE book...
Utica Rifleman--Oddly, while there are several very good suggestions on reading matter for the prospective reloader in the above posts (including the book I cut my teeth on, 'way back when, Col. Townsend Whelen's Why Not Load Your Own? which while still very good on the basics, is quite dated as to powder and bullet reccommendations) no one has mentioned "the standard textbook on the subject," which is The ABC's of Reloading put out by Krause Publishing www.krause.com They must be doing something right; they just came out with the 8th edition of the book.
The ABC's is a VERY complete discussion of all aspects of reloading, starts with simple stuff and goes 'way beyond the basics. There is info for everyone in it; belongs on every reloader's bookshelf, well thumbed, IMHO. Agree with the recommendation that you practice, practice, practice shooting, but reloading makes it more affordable to do so, and obviously, you don't want less accurate ammo, you want more accurate ammo. So, go for it! Good luck, we will need progress reports, and read The ABC's!
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February 22, 2009, 08:44 PM | #9 |
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"...Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook", printed by Precision Shooting Magazine, is, without doubt, the best such book available. I have all the others mentioned and not one of them, or any combo of four, comes close. IMHO.
Zeideker's book is ok, it actually has some good info but it's well hidden with a lot of words. But he is writing directly about position match competition loading, mostly for gas guns, and not a lot of it applies to the rest of us who hunt game and pop varmints. |
February 22, 2009, 09:41 PM | #10 |
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The ABC's of Reloading and the hardback Lee Reloaders Handbook is real good too. Plus it has worlds of reloading data.
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February 23, 2009, 12:34 AM | #11 |
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Assuming you have the reloading manuals you need and are looking for a specialty book....
"Precision Shooting Reloading Guide" by Dave Brennan has been very beneficial to me. Amazon and Midway USA both have it. But Midway may be cheaper at around $16. A review from a customer at Amazon: "If you read Amazon's description above regarding this book, it's technically accurate, but not very inspiring. This book is designed as a companion to a good basic reloading book or your working knowledge. It has eight chapters, two of which apply to all disciplines or even the non-competitive shooter (like myself) while the remaining six are for specific disciplines. Each chapter is written by a different person, each of whom is considered an expert in his field. If you hand load because you want accuracy, repeatability, and long life from your brass, this book is a must have. If you just hand load because it's cheap or some other reason, this book is not for you." This pretty well sums it up. Everywhere you see this book online it gets 5 star customer reviews.
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"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell Last edited by Inspector3711; February 23, 2009 at 12:41 AM. |
February 23, 2009, 03:25 PM | #12 |
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Know your equipment first, then the accuracy bug will hit you.
http://benchrest.com/
Numerous books available here also Go to a 600 yard range this spring and just watch these guy (and gals) shoot, ask questions after you know your equipment. |
February 23, 2009, 04:06 PM | #13 |
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Here's just one article on preparing cases:
http://www.6mmbr.com/jgcaseprep.html I agree with what's already been said. It involves shooting skills, barrel, rifle, triggers, bedding, precision components, etc. One thing that seems like black magic is to find a combination that will shoot well every trip to the range. One common thing is to test loads one day at the range with good accuracy and a month later with subsequent loads it doesn't perform as well. |
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