How Much Does Handloading Really Help Accuracy?

[22BRGUY]

This is just trolling in a different style than what he was doing last week. If you don't already see it, give it a little time and it will be obvious.

Maybe....maybe not. I don't really care about that. I like to offer help and I know you do too because it feels good to try. If it doesn't help him, maybe someone else will read it and be helped. The only thing I care about is am I willing to try and that feels good to me. What I think of me is way more important than what others think of me.

 

[Iowa Fox]

Don't know but I'm not going to buy any store bought to find out.

 

[Eddie Harren]

"This is just trolling in a different style than what he was doing last week. If you don't already see it, give it a little time and it will be obvious."

For Sure! He's very well educated in the old "divide and conquer" methods of Karl Marx.

 

[nakneker]

"This is just trolling in a different style than what he was doing last week. If you don't already see it, give it a little time and it will be obvious."

For Sure! He's very well educated in the old "divide and conquer" methods of Karl Marx.

The fact that there are so many nice replies is a testament to the good nature of the gun community, just nice people.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

A random bad box of factory ammo I got for a rifle many years ago is what pushed me into handloading. Factory ammo can be very accurate in some rifles, but CONSISTENCY is a different matter. That's where handloading really shines. You can find the accuracy, then control it to be repeatable.

I have some factory Lapua match ammo I bought for a 6.5x55 swede because it was on closeout and the cost of the loaded factory ammo wasn't much more than the Lapua brass alone. Figured I'd use the factory ammo to break the barrel in and get it sighted on paper, then I'd be left with Lapua brass fire formed to the chamber.

Well I bought 5 boxes of 20 rounds. 100 total. I shot some of each box during break in and as a result, I have the boxes marked "Foulers", "Good", "Best". The best boxes (2 of them) consistently hovers around 1/4 MOA at 200 yards. The Good is around 3/4 MOA (2 boxes) and one box struggles to make 3" groups at 200 yards. With handloading, my accuracy stays consistent until barrel wear or some other factor besides the ammo takes effect

 

[Jammer Six]

The fact that there are so many nice replies is a testament to the good nature of the gun community, just nice people.

This is true. It's also true that some paranoia (another gun stereotype) has been demonstrated.

If I were a troll, the gun community would be where I'd live. Easy pickings within an arm's length of the bridge.

We can talk guns and reloading, or we can talk trolling and politics. One will be quite enjoyable, give the real experts here a chance to help folks, the other will drive everyone's blood pressure up and make everyone mad.

Up to you. And have a day that is as nice as you can have.

That's the fun of it.....it sounds like you might be "on the edge" of getting "hooked"...BE CAREFUL!

Oh, I've been hooked hard since before the turn of the century. (Not very long, considering.)

The worst thing that could happen to a reloader happened to me.

I loaded my first rounds, shot them, and produced a target that had a tight group, tighter than any group I'd ever shot with factory rounds, with one flyer.

 

[nakneker]

This is true. It's also true that some paranoia (another gun stereotype) has been demonstrated.

If I were a troll, the gun community would be where I'd live. Easy pickings within an arm's length of the bridge.

We can talk guns and reloading, or we can talk trolling and politics. One will be quite enjoyable, give the real experts here a chance to help folks, the other will drive everyone's blood pressure up and make everyone mad.

Up to you. And have a day that is as nice as you can have.



Oh, I've been hooked hard since before the turn of the century. (Not very long, considering.)

The worst thing that could happen to a reloader happened to me.

I loaded my first rounds, shot them, and produced a target that had a tight group, tighter than any group I'd ever shot with factory rounds, with one flyer.

Lol, like I said.

 

[msinc]

I don't use factory ammo.

That said, to establish which side of the handloading fence I live on, I get better accuracy from handloads, but I've never measured the improvement.

Assume a decent factory rifle. (A .223 Ruger Hawkeye is my current handloading project) How far can you push accuracy if you're willing to do workups, and how do you know when you're there?

Not sure I get the question, or what "side of the fence" you really are on....if you "dont use factory ammo" and you "never measured the improvement" then how in the name of Jesus God do you know whether or not there even is one?????????????

How far can you push accuracy??? Push it forever, but that don't make it a good idea if there is no gain. How do you know when you are "there" ?????? Simple, when you stop gaining.

 

[Jammer Six]

Can't answer in the name of Jesus God.

 

[msinc]

Can't answer in the name of Jesus God.

You cant answer in any name because just as I said, you never checked....that's my point. You do not know, so why ask. I try to give anyone a chance, but it's as if what the others say is true. What exactly is your question?????

 

[Jammer Six]

I have no idea where you got your ideas or your information, but have a nice day!

 

[Jammer Six]

I'm still thinking there must be some way to know when it's as good as it's going to get.

 

[4xforfun]

I couldn't tell you weather hand loading helps....Not one of my rifles is capable of shooting a factory offering. All out wildcats, AI's, or tight necks prevail in my stable!!

But I can't imagin that there would be a mass produced offering in any caliber that could consistently compete with a well crafted hand load. Also, you are able to consistently "tweek" the handload as the bbl wears or the conditions change.

Just my .02,
Tod

 

[BenPerfected]

I'm still thinking there must be some way to know when it's as good as it's going to get.

If I am shooting in a major event and could shoot in the top ten, for me that's as good as it gets. Remember the Clint Eastwood line in Dirty Harry?...."A man has to know his limitations"

 

[ireload2]

Accuracy on the target has a component from the skill of the shooter and a component from the accuracy of the rifle/ammo combo.
You may have some difficulty understanding that the use of hand loads means that most people will take more interest in their shooting and they will shoot a lot more. As a result the skill of the shooter will improve. This improvement of the shooter will be mixed with the improvement in the ammo.
Yes you can get to the point where your scores and groups never improve. But is that due to the shooter or due to the ammo? You may be assuming that by shooting off of a bench with a good rest and high magnification scope that the shooter is not much of a factor. That is not correct. Wind affects the groups a noticeable amount and you have to shoot quite a bit to learn to read the wind and mirage. Unless you are wealthy or a military team shooter it is doubtful that you can afford to learn to read the wind really well with factory ammo.

I'm still thinking there must be some way to know when it's as good as it's going to get.

 

[Jammer Six]

I've been a handgun instructor since the turn of the century. I've told students for years "there's nothing wrong with this weapon that 200 rounds downrange a week for a year won't cure."

So I'm biased, and think that there's always room for improvement by the shooter, regardless of the weapon.

And yes, I used to compete, and I loaded all my ammo. I've found much better ammo that way than I could ever buy.

 

[Eddie Harren]

"And yes, I used to compete, and I loaded all my ammo. I've found much better ammo that way than I could ever buy."

So you asked and, answered your own question?
At least it only took 2 pages.

 

[jimcasey01]

I'm still thinking there must be some way to know when it's as good as it's going to get.

When you stop testing or trying to make it smaller.

 

[4xforfun]

If I am shooting in a major event and could shoot in the top ten, for me that's as good as it gets. Remember the Clint Eastwood line in Dirty Harry?...."A man has to know his limitations"

Well, I have compeated in 6 IBS 1k National shoots and finished OUTSIDE the top 10 only once. I GAURANTEE that that feet would not have been possible using factory anything. There are "limitations" on how fast you can run. There are "limitations " on how much you can lift, eat, weigh, etc. The only limitations I see in how well you shoot are self imposed.....ie...shooting factory ammo or guns, not practicing, etc.... My attitude is...."if I can do it , ANYONE can do it".

I say "roll your own"!!

Tod

 

[ireload2]

Since the turn of the century is only 16 years. jajajajaja
Have you developed top flight accuracy loads with multiple rifles for a half century?

You think there is always room for improvement? How do you know this?
Why do you ask questions when you think you already know it all?

I've been a handgun instructor since the turn of the century. I've told students for years "there's nothing wrong with this weapon that 200 rounds downrange a week for a year won't cure."

So I'm biased, and think that there's always room for improvement by the shooter, regardless of the weapon.

And yes, I used to compete, and I loaded all my ammo. I've found much better ammo that way than I could ever buy.