Top Accuracy {Loading } Tips.

[T/C Hunter]

Hey Guys ; I'm looking for a good list of Top notch Accuracy Tips on Loading here. I'm sure there are a few Real Good Veterans here that have been doing this a long time, and would like to share some of there Do's and Don'ts. I'll Put in a few I know . You guys can take it from there. Looking forward in a lesson or two on how to do it well . You know the real tricks . Not in any such order but here I go. #1 Fire form you brass. #2 Set up Dies to have correct head space . #3 use {Bullet comparator} to perfect O.A.L Messurements. #4 weight sorted Brass in groups of 3 or 5 for the groups your shooting. #5 Primer pocket cleaned well and reamed . #6 Fine tune O.A.L by working up to .005 to .0007 of free run to lands. These are only the few things I know that help me. As far as the free Run : I can't get that close anyway. All throats are to long for my Bullets if this is a good tip or not? Of coarse trigger pull should be smooth and lite but thats a little of Subject. As barrel free floatting might get in here too. Its all good : What do you have for me . And for others to read. Hope the spelling was O.k ??

[BigJimP]

On reloading - tips:

# 1 is use quality components especially in bullets. The cheaper bullts ( say a 230 grain bullet may vary as + - 6 or 7 grains. The better bullets will vary less than 1 grain. Cheaper bullets - Rainier, West Coast, etc Premium - Montana Gold, Speer, etc

#2 - powder drop. Make sure it is dead nuts consistent. If your recipe calls for 4.3 grains ( drop 4.3 ) not 4.2 and not 4.4 and adjust your machine and clean it and work on your technique so it is consistent. To help youself out - pick a powder that meters in your press very consistently and in general stay away from larger flake type powders that may be better suited in shotguns or something.

#3 stay with one primer. If you like Winchester - stay with them - if you like CCI stay with them. Cheaper primers can be a little more inconsistent. I like CCI.

#4 bullet crimp and seating. Make sure you have adjusted things correctly. Use a case gague - to check every load before you box it up.

#5 - buy a good press. Old well used presses need to be rebuilt - get it done by someone that knows what they are doing. Keep a press lubricated and clean. And use case lube on your brass - it makes it operate smoother and smoother translates to better control .

Don't worry about sorting brass, etc - it's about the primer, powder, bullet type, bullet seating and crimp that matter. Do these things and watch your groups tighten up. That's my opinion.

[30Cal]

Be careful about what you take to be true. A lot of people will tell you what they do, but have no evidence to show whether all their labor is actually affecting accuracy. I've found it doesn't take much effort at all to get excellent accuracy--if you choose good components, then creating match ammo is no more difficult than cranking out fodder.

Ty

[FM12]

Buy your components in bulk if possible, and get all from the same lot number. This keeps you from having to start allover agin when you buy new components, especially primers.

Use brass shot in YOUR gun.

Keep your dies clean and debris free. A little care goes a long way.

Keep up with the number of times rifle brass has been reloaded. Don't push it, relegate older brass for range time, not for matches.

Neck size bottleneck cases whenever possible.

[Trapper L]

Well, I'm gonna give ya a secret. When developing loads for any rifle, make one round each (that's right, ONE round only) starting at the bottom of the book and start up towards max in .5gr increments for cases larger than 25.0 grs, otherwise, use .3 increments. Using the same components, load until you hit max, again, one round only. Shoot each round holding the same zero and allowing the barrel to cool between shots and mark and record every shot for placement on the target. You will see a trend start to develope as you shoot. The first shot maybe low and left ( or anywhere actually) and as the powder load goes up the group will start to come together. Then as you continue to shoot, the group MAY start to grow. Where the grouping was the smallest, take the load that was in the middle- this is the load that your rifle will shoot the best. Now, tune it in for accuracy by loading the same powder load but vary the seating depth. Make sure that the longer ones are not touching the lands and grooves which you will see the imprint on the bullet if you chamber it. Generally, the gun will shoot best with the bullet seated just off of the lands and grooves. Doing it this way will get you the best results faster than loading five rounds and hoping to fall on the right load.

[T/C Hunter]

Wow that little secret sounds like it just might work. I'll try it some time thanks. Iv'e tried a lot of ways and loading 5 of each in 2 tents of a grain jumps in each set { for under 29 grain or so} ,seems to tell the truth. But it cost a lot if your looking for a load your gun likes the best. Then I work on C.O.A.L working up as close as I can without touching lands. I like to leave around 5 to 7 thousands .Seems to work for me. Thers is alway a way to fine that right load if you have the time and $$ . I tried to skip to the short cut way and went around the perfect load . Jumped to high ,went over the sweet spot and waisted a lot of time and money for a long time, and even wondered if my gun could shoot good groups. Started over went by 2 tents and bingo in no time I Had it. When I get a new gun next time I'm starting from a starting load and working my way up {SLOW} by 3 tents of a grain. It sure beats jumping around. And I'll try your way just because it sounds smart.

[rgitzlaff]

Sounds like a cheaper variation of the OCW (optimale charge wieght) test, except the OCW uses three rounds each to establish some kind of group for each charge. I don't think you can really rely on a single shot to represent the average point of impact for that charge. What if you accidentally pull to one side or flinch? Even though you might call it, you don't know where it should have impacted since you have only one of that charge.

[crowbeaner]

Two things you can do to tighten up your groups have to do with case prep; uniform the flash holes and cut the primer pockets to the same depth. This will insure the flash is consistent charge to charge, and that the primer gets the same hit every time. These two steps can literally cut inches off groups. Enjoy. CB.

[T/C Hunter]

This is very true. And for that reason I shoot {same load} 5 shot groups,some times 10 rounds ,Chronographed to #1 see if this load is burning coincistantly .{primer vrs.powder combo} and #2 To see how this group round looks on paper vrs what the chrono says. I have shot many loads that chrono great. Very close E.S #s and Nice S.D #s. But still don't do well in the grouping catagory. I just note it and move on. When I come up with a good group ,I'll Chrono it just to see how the #s stack up. Usually there not too far off of what I would coincider really good. Example CCI BR4 primers with 28.2 of IMR 4895 . Topped with a Nosler 32 grain .204 bullet gave me a {string group }= cutting each bullet hole with the next as the group climbed straight up. but my number were awesome. SD = 6.4 and my ES was 15.8. Now that was outstanding .coincistancy was great ,group so so. again same load ,different primers Fed 205-M /set 2 of a 5 shot string .= SD 11.9 and ES 32.3. This told me Primmer powder combo is not as good as the CCI BR4s . As far as the group Still not what I was looking for. I noted these #s and will work with this Powder ,primmer some time again in the future. Since then I have learned My gun shoots better with a lower A.V so I'll work on that with the notes I made and try the good bunning combo soon. Did any of this make sence ?? If so you as crazy as me If not sorry to bore you. Conclusion : Finding what works fo you and your gun can get truely Time consuming and rewarding. coin side Mind bogling and confusing. There are many was to get a good group with out all of this work. But I enjoy seeing what I'm doing on Paper in numbers . Keep those good Ideas coming I'm game.

[T/C Hunter]

Thats is good advice Thanks . I do need to work on primer pockets a little better .And I do need to uniform my flash holes. I'll put an order in for some more Equipment soon. I'm lacking that tool. One thing at a time. I'm getting there.

[davlandrum]

Almost too embarrased to ask, since it is a "my friend says..", but

My hunting partner reloads the way his dad taught him and it is with a long OAL - actually tight to the lands and grooves. Looks like the general opinion here is that he would be loading too long?

His rounds group well for me, and I am strictly a "hunting good" shooter, not a "bench good" shooter.

Thanks in advance for the knowledge!

[45Marlin carbine]

replace the clip on the press ram that holds the shell holder with an o-ring.
when setting up the die insert a case into the holder (well lubed) and have the die loose in the press. run the case into the die and then tighten the die up to the right clearance then tighten lock nut. this aligns the case with the center line of the die. do the same with neck-sizing only dies. keeps the neck straight and centered.

[caz223]

You'll find a lot of variation in chamber length, if you load to .020 off the lands, for example, it may shoot the best in your gun, but the ammo may/may not work at all in your buddy's gun. Some people have done the accuracy tweaking on one gun, and assume the other rifles will respond the same way to the same tweaks. They may, but then again, they may not. Each rifle is a rule unto itself.
My trick is to make sure the bore is smooth and consistant, so my rifles don't see a bore brush. I use flitz polish and a patch every time I'm done shooting (For the day.) until the patch is a uniform color. Not black or green, but a light brown pattern is good. Then a patch with a few drops of oil, then a dry patch. Also, keep your chamber spotless for the best accuracy. It sounds like a no-brainer, but I've seen chambers so crusty there's no hope to get the gun to shoot straight. From people who should know better.

[castnblast]

If you are reloading rifle, Use a collet die. don't know what it will do to accuracy, but it will increase your brass life. Trim your brass each time. Very little trimming is necessary if at all when using a collet die, BUT it will keep all your brass consistant. I like the lee trimmer/case length gauge setup. It trim exactly the same, every time. Also, try different powders, and measure your success. Work up your loads. Load for accuracy...new loaders often fail to work up loads, and try to just get a hot, fast, round. It doesn't matter how fast your bullet get's there if it doesn't go where you want it. ALWAYS double check your load, and zero your scale every time you walk away from your bench.

[brickeyee]

Look to the bench rest guys and adopt as needed.

[T/C Hunter]

I like this All post are wery interesting and helpfull. I'm learning more and more ;thanks for the replys. Keep them coming . Did my trigger last night on My Encore . Thanks to Bell m it was pretty easy. Well done on the instructions thats for sure. I installed a #4 trigger spring. Man is it nice now. A smooth lite pulling trigger = tighter groups. If you have an Encore I would highley recommend this upgrade if you have any mech. skills . I split the difference and went witha good Bench-Hunting trigger. I love it.