How much or how little?

[Dave Nirode]

After a 5 year hiatus from Long Range sling prone competition, I jumped back in earlier this year. As a result I have picked precision handloading back up as well.

My question, for anyone who might like to contribute is, how much accuracy (both in the assembly of the ammo as well as on target) is necessary to be highly competitive.

Currently I neck turn all new cases to .012 neck thickness.
Full length size the body of the case with .001 shoulder setback.
Neck size for .002 neck tension.
Uniform primer pockets.
Trim all my cases to the same length every loading.
Weigh each powder charge to within .02 grains.
I have just started seating with a Wilson die/arbor press.
Bullets are seated to depths they shoot best at by ladder testing.
And for match ammo I sort bullets by base to ogive length but not by weight.

Does anyone think I'm doing too much, not enough or or about right?

Probly should add, I graduated to HM from Master class during the summer.
Any suggestions for improvement would be greatly appreciated.

Dave N.

 

[PatMiles]

Dave,
What others think of your loading process doesn't matter a wit. If I had to guess, you jumped back into shooting because at one time you enjoyed it and had fun. I'm thinking that reloading is also fun for you, something to do when you're not putting rounds down range. Do what you want to be successful in your discipline. Press on regardless and have fun doing it.

 

[T-shooter]

Sounds good. I would add measuring the case capacities, especially between different lots or brands. For instance I changed lots with some Hornady .308 brass. Even being the same part number, the new brass was an average of 7% larger in case capacity and it took 8/10 grain of Varget to get the velocity back. The groups really opened up with the larger brass. If you can't or don't want to measure, weighing the cases after prepping is better than nothing. Not an exact science but with cases this far off, it definitely showed.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

Are you annealing the brass? About every third loading is common.

 

[1shot]

What caliber?
You state .012 neck thickness, do you know how much clearance it gives you with a loaded round?
Certain calibers need more clearance than others to get the best accuracy.

Lloyd

 

[dmoran]

To really know and understand what your reloading steps are doing for accuracy true to your scenario's, your best answers would come from field testing each aspect yourself - IME
Donovan

 

[Dave Nirode]

Are you annealing the brass? About every third loading is common.

Im annealing about every 5th loading.

 

[Dave Nirode]

What caliber?
You state .012 neck thickness, do you know how much clearance it gives you with a loaded round?
Certain calibers need more clearance than others to get the best accuracy.

Lloyd

260 Remington.
And .002 neck clearence.

 

[Dave Nirode]

To really know and understand what your reloading steps are doing for accuracy true to your scenario's, your best answers would come from field testing each aspect yourself - IME
Donovan

Thank you sir

 

[Dave Nirode]

Sounds good. I would add measuring the case capacities, especially between different lots or brands. For instance I changed lots with some Hornady .308 brass. Even being the same part number, the new brass was an average of 7% larger in case capacity and it took 8/10 grain of Varget to get the velocity back. The groups really opened up with the larger brass. If you can't or don't want to measure, weighing the cases after prepping is better than nothing. Not an exact science but with cases this far off, it definitely showed.

Interesting info. Thank you for your response.

 

[spclark]

I’m focusing on your phrase “...highly competitive” when I ask what kind of competition?

Competitive accuracy means different things depending on whether you’re shooting for groups, score, on reactive targets vs. paper-punching; you use a sling & open sights vs. optics & rests front & back... not to forget distances shot over.

What works great for one style of event may leave you well down the page for another. Just sayin’.

From what you posted above it sounds like you’re on the right road and have a good attitude towards wanting to improve where possible. If you’re having fun along the way, try not to get distracted!

 

[22DASHER]

260 Remington.
And .002 neck clearence.

.002 total? Or .002 on each side?

 

[6fatrat]

Dave
Welcome back, I anneal after 2 shots.
Agree with SP have fun, see you on the range.
Steve Bair

 

[Dave Nirode]

I’m focusing on your phrase “...highly competitive” when I ask what kind of competition?

Competitive accuracy means different things depending on whether you’re shooting for groups, score, on reactive targets vs. paper-punching; you use a sling & open sights vs. optics & rests front & back... not to forget distances shot over.

What works great for one style of event may leave you well down the page for another. Just sayin’.

From what you posted above it sounds like you’re on the right road and have a good attitude towards wanting to improve where possible. If you’re having fun along the way, try not to get distracted![/QUOTE


Mr. Clark I'm concentrating on sling/prone at Mid Range and Long Range for now but started dabbling in Palma and Full Bore a bit also.
And I am having fun although not as often as I'd like.

 

[Dave Nirode]

.002 total? Or .002 on each side?

22Dasher, .002 total. Necksized to .290 with loaded cartridge neck diameter of .292.

 

[Dave Nirode]

Dave
Welcome back, I anneal after 2 shots.
Agree with SP have fun, see you on the range.
Steve Bair

Thank you Steve! Been good to be back.

 

[Dave Nirode]

Dave,
What others think of your loading process doesn't matter a wit. If I had to guess, you jumped back into shooting because at one time you enjoyed it and had fun. I'm thinking that reloading is also fun for you, something to do when you're not putting rounds down range. Do what you want to be successful in your discipline. Press on regardless and have fun doing it.

 

[Dave Nirode]

Thank you for the encouraging words sir. Greatly appreciated!