Bigger influence on accuracy?

[bozo699]

kyotekiller25,

Your targets look like mine when I was learning a new rifle and caliber.
Turned out that the one or two shots off the POI were due to me being out of position on the set up or getting too anxious on the trigger. Sometimes I also got too loose with the stock seated in my shoulder crease. As you probably notice, it can get worse with 5-round groups.

Not all the variations you get are due to powder or bullets, although most shooters never realize or even admit that our 'shooter induced variations' are the major cause for our groups growing larger than we desire.

Even after years of shooting and getting my accuracy probably to the limit I will ever reach, I still have a lapse and let one shot get away in my groups, at least a few times during a session at the range. I just can't always keep my concentration and, at times, get over confident when I am on a roll and don't complete my set up process.

I would recommend that you experiment to find what works best for you in achieving a consistent set up.
And, as you are doing already, keep trying to find what bullets and powder your rifle likes.
I generally try multiple bullet weights and then bullet manufacturers and at least 5 powders until I found the combination that each of my rifles preferred.
It takes some effort, but, for me, it did make a difference in accuracy achieved.

This is true and I have had it happens many times over the years. If I’m not shooting daily and I’m trying to work up a load I take an accurate 22 Rimfire rifle and pistol with me. Before I start I’ll put anywhere from 50 to several hundred rounds through the 22 rifle, when it’s grouping like it normally does I move to the target 22 pistol,… it’s almost always bigger than it should be when I get those groups down small I’m now ready to shoot new rifle. One other thing I might add I have a short fuse and it’s cost me a lot of money over the years, it’s taken me years to learn this but if whatever reason I’m pissy I’ll take a walk if still in a foul when I return to the bench, chrono is giving me trouble, spill my loading block etc. I just pack up and do something else as I guarantee you I can’t shoot groups that day!
Wayne

 

[alf]

Never try to force feed a bullet to a barrel it doesn't like.

 

[6.5 forever]

Bullet every day