Thanks to all! To answer some questions...
>I do not wanna sound like an arsehole, but for 50 yards,
> both groups are pretty lacking
Agreed. In this case, the real limits on the minimum are my skills (poor) and the scope (2x), which is perfect for the gun's intended use, but lousy for making small groups.
>Your devation seems a little high for hand loading. I would think if you tinker
>with your hand loads somewhat you will be very happy with what will happen.
Oh, and I'll definitely do that. However, what shocks me here -- and what has shocked me in the past -- is the the
difference between the factory load and my handload, my first in this caliber.
I keep expecting my first recipe for a given gun and caliber to be
worse than a factory load. Instead, they're always better.
So, are factory loads that bad? Or are individual factors -- as, in this case, the bullet difference -- that important?
> In my opinion its more fun than going to a store and
> purchasing a box of ammo for your rifle for one.
And
fun is what I'm having
Thanks!
Dave