Besides powder charge, what are the two most important reloading steps that will decrease SD?
Ben
Ben
Shoot two-round groups. It does wonders for SD and really improves MOA too.![]()
shoot more bullets, the population will increase thus decreasing the standard deviation
Ben,
I don't know why you're heavily focused on SD but I would add this to what's been offered previously.
A low SD does not necessarily represent good accuracy. SD is simply a product of the comparison of muzzle velocity samples (ES) and, while shots put on target with a consistently low ES do tend to be more accurate, that accuracy may not survive over longer ranges.
I typically find a load that prints well on target at 200 yards with a seating of about .010 - .020 off the lands. Some shooters start on the lands because they feel it's easier to move the seating depth in one direction than to take the chance that the node might be closer to the lands than .010. But that's a matter of style based on their experience. With my load pretty well established, I then work with seating depths to find a node (or two) and fine tune the one that offers the tightest MV range and work toward an SD below 10.
I have seen loads with low SD shot big at 1000 and loads with bigger SD shoot smaller. I let the paper, shot at distance, tell me what works. Matt
I have seen loads with low SD shot big at 1000 and loads with bigger SD shoot smaller. I let the paper, shot at distance, tell me what works. Matt
I am not focused on std div and seldom use a chronograph. Based on the responses, it seems like the Std Div is going to be mostly about the brass prep assuming the powder charge & seating depth are consistent to perfect...correct? Day in and day out, what Std Div would you expect from 50 shots of your normally loaded ammo? Besides neck thickness and maybe seating force in lbs, how important is the shoulder bump to consistency in accuracy?....if the shoulder has some spring back so you can feel some resistance when closing the bolt, does this effect Std Div or accuracy?
Ben