So how long from loading to shooting in competition?

[Dave Way]

I have ammo that was loaded a week ago and was not used in a BR match. The next match is in a few weeks. My question is this, have you noticed a deterioration in accuracy for ammunition that has been loaded for a month or so before a match or testing?

I have noticed no difference and actually shot some tiny 1K groups with ammunition that was many months old but I know some who will only shoot ammunition loaded days before or even at the match. I have not progressed to the point of loading at 600 and 1,000 yard BR matches. I do take multiple rifles, and sometimes two loads for a rifle. A tuner gives me another tuning option.

Long range ammunition needs more accurate powder measurement than my old PPC’s where I could drop them with a Neil Jones measure and watch them shoot one hole groups. I have test tubes for pre-weighing powder charges but it’s a hassle.

Curious to hear your responses.

Thanks-Dave.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I load all winter so I can shoot all summer.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have ammo that was loaded a week ago and was not used in a BR match. The next match is in a few weeks. My question is this, have you noticed a deterioration in accuracy for ammunition that has been loaded for a month or so before a match or testing?

I have noticed no difference and actually shot some tiny 1K groups with ammunition that was many months old but I know some who will only shoot ammunition loaded days before or even at the match. I have not progressed to the point of loading at 600 and 1,000 yard BR matches. I do take multiple rifles, and sometimes two loads for a rifle. A tuner gives me another tuning option.

Long range ammunition needs more accurate powder measurement than my old PPC’s where I could drop them with a Neil Jones measure and watch them shoot one hole groups. I have test tubes for pre-weighing powder charges but it’s a hassle.

Curious to hear your responses.

Thanks-Dave.

At various times I have shot ammo loaded for several months both in matches and practicing, it always seems to shoot very well. I remember an interview in Precision Shooing some years ago of the Super Shoot winner saying he had loaded his ammo several months before the shoot and stored it in a cooler in his basement until the shoot, If I remember correctly his theory was over some time the neck tension would even out. I had this same conversation with a very good shooter just last week, he has had the same experiences as I. Ammo that has been
preloaded for awhile seems to shoot good.

 

[David Christian]

I don’t think time matters. I loaded 500 rounds last November for it to be shipped to South Africa for a match this April which was cancelled due to covid. Well 4 months later it was shipped back to me and it took me another 2 months to burn through it shooting many high scores to include a 200-20x at 600 yards. 6 months post loading and it still hummed!

 

[Sniper338]

Everyones got a theory. I know several that load the day of or the night before. Others load in advance, other load in advance and seat the bullet long to go back and seat it the day of.

Ive tried it all. Havent found a difference.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Military ammo lasts for years, and who knows when that batch of Lapua or Norma left Scandinavia?

 

[dolek]

I shoot in a once a year competition in hunter class with a 30-06 ,a few years back I loaded up a bunch for the first annual competition . I have been using them ever since . Two wins and a second place so far . Hoping for another win with them this fall . I take that gun out a week before the comp to check zero, POI changes very little and all group well .

 

[1K6BRA]

Potatoes, potahtos.... Tomatoes,tomahtoes?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Jim Richards shot his record 2.6" 10 shot group with ammo he loaded 6 months prior. I think most of us will just have stories like that. Its hard to know exactly what your load will be in a month but load up 10 and sit on them for a month and shoot them against some fresh ones in good conditions? I dont think I have ever shot ammo loaded for more than a week in a match, and most of my good stuff loaded the night before. Not because it was fresh, but because it was loaded at the range for the conditions.

 

[CharlieNC]

I encountered one situation when I needed to reseat loads for a new barrel whereby around 2/3 exhibited unusual force and an audible pop. Aka cold welded. So now if the loads are for long term use, I load a little long and reseat just before using.

 

[Joe Salt]

Dave if you don't take my word for it go to my buddy Eddie K. this weekend and ask him. He had rounds loaded that were loaded 5 years earlier and used them in a shoot off. He won the shoot off with a 100 score I can't remember the group size but it was small. All he does is tap them on the bench to loosen the powder. In-fact my grandson was shooting stuff I had loaded over a year ago, He won his relay for score, the came back and won the shoot off. So I'd say don't be afraid to us old ammunition.

Joe Salt

 

[Dave Way]

Jim Richards shot his record 2.6" 10 shot group with ammo he loaded 6 months prior. I think most of us will just have stories like that. Its hard to know exactly what your load will be in a month but load up 10 and sit on them for a month and shoot them against some fresh ones in good conditions? I dont think I have ever shot ammo loaded for more than a week in a match, and most of my good stuff loaded the night before. Not because it was fresh, but because it was loaded at the range for the conditions.

You know I like testing everything I can think of so I’ll let some age like fine wine and wait for premium conditions this fall. Then I’ll duplicate the load (22 separate steps in my reloading process) and shoot them side by side. I’ll post the results to this thread.

Dave.

 

[alf]

I used to load my 1K ammo the week before a match. One year I had some left over from the previous year, and shot them in the first match of the year, and promptly shot a screamer group.

After that, I load at my convenience, and don't fret it anymore.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Not because it was fresh, but because it was loaded at the range for the conditions.

^^^^ I'm in this camp.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have had leftover 30BR rounds from a match that shot just as well a month later.

Since I use a very light neck tension, I do check to make sure none of the bullets moved out.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I like to prep brass on the Monday, load on the Wednesday to shoot on the Saturday, its just how i have been doing it since I can remember.
I had some left over rounds a while ago that i wanted to use as fowlers (they were loaded around 3 months earlier) but got some time after a match to shoot them, they shot exactly 1moa high at a 700y for some reason but group size was just about the size as my "match ammo" just printing higher.

 

[johara1]

I always use my left over rounds from the match before and load what I need and I see no difference.... jim

 

[kneedtospeed]

Dave, just keep shootin what you've got left from SD. It treated you very well!

 

[savageshooter86]

Over achievers. It seems I’m always loading the last round around 2am and match is that morning. I don’t think it makes any difference. But some keyboard experts will say can’t shoot well with pre loaded ammo that has sat. Test it out and see. I think I’ll do the same thing

 

[dgeesaman]

Everyones got a theory. I know several that load the day of or the night before. Others load in advance, other load in advance and seat the bullet long to go back and seat it the day of.

Ive tried it all. Havent found a difference.

My only time shooting 1000y BR was at the Williamsport school. My mentor Gordie had some months-old 300 wsm “match” rounds of his that he wasn’t going to shoot. In spite of shifting breezes, that months old ammo shot 6” 10 shot group in my very inexperienced hands. So yeah, I trust ammo that’s not loaded that day.

That said if you load and shoot ammo immediately it might behave a little differently after it’s had some time to sit. So if you’re loading for load development it might help to load each test block a little early so the brass has some time to relax, as it will when you’re going to shoot in a match.