How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

[Tomekeuro85]

I read all the stickies in this section... And id have no problem doing all that. But at what point will the inaccuracy of a factory rifle override all the brass prep and bullet sorting and meplat uniforming, headspace measurement, etc etc.

How far does one reasonably need to go before you're just wasting time uniforming rounds when the gun itself isnt capable of taking advantage of such preparation?

 

[doc76251]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

Each rifle is different.

That being said there is more often than not a greater variance with the shooter than the rifle/ammo combo.

Remove all the variable that you can (ammo is the cheapest to modify) and shoot until such time as you know that you are out shooting the rifle.

The realization will be like the ringing of a bell and you will remember the single shot that told you the rifle was beneath your abilities.

Until you can out shoot the rifle there is little that throwing money at a better stick will offer you.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[jdwelch10]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

I second that

 

[desertHK]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

I second what doc said above. However, you also have to have realistic expectation from a factory stick vs. a custom or high end rifle. Depending on what you are shooting now, it may just be worth while to accept say 1MOA and slightly better and just practice. Once the barrel is burn out then you can upgrade it. For example, my stock 243 win is a subMOA if I do my part, but I am not going to be disappointed if its accuracy is not better than my GAP or the AIAWs. Also, before spending too much time doing the prep work (unless you are a BR shooter), I would just shoot the hell out of that rifle then move on to something better.

 

[vman]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

Its worth at least having a decent go at handloading for your rifle.

If funds are tight, then by all means be happy with what factory loads will give you.

BUT if you have the gear, why not invest a little time and research($) into discovering the rifles potential.

One day at the range me and a few of the guys decided to have a crack at 500 yard fly shooting. I shot with what i thought were decent hand loads... anyway, lack of a better load and poor wind judgment later I realised I was not happy! Naturally I blamed it on the rifle. "Crappy stock remington" I said as I went home that day planning a trip to the smith to get a match barrel.

Fast forward to a month after that and im at the range performing a ladder test on a new batch of Varget. Well whadya know i was a whole 0.6 grains away from the middle of a node! I came back to the range with a whole stack of ammo loaded to the new findings... conditions were good and I did my part.

0.25 inch group at 375yards! And im not talking "shooters MOA" here, i mean the group was measured at 1/4 inch.

According the my standards thats good for a factory barrel. And there I was a month earlier complaining about a stock remington barrel.

If you have the time and the money to hand load, in my view anyway, its just as good as actually shooting itself.

 

[Tomekeuro85]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

Yea I have all the equipment, I used to have a Crusader but sold it a while back, so I'm pretty familiar with my abilities too.

I know the factory 700 wont shoot anywhere near what the crusader did but I was just curious as to what point it becomes a waste of time that will not pay off in terms of the work I put in.

 

[USMARINE1108]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

Size correctly (same pressure every time), uniform the primer pockets, de-burr the flash holes and load to +/-.1gr. That will get you some good ammo (with proper load development).

 

[flashhole]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

I handload for 5 different rifles, all but one are factory stock rifles with factory barrels. The odd man out is my Fireball where I replaced the flimsy synthetic stock with a laminate. None are what I consider to be "high end guns". Of the five, 2 shoot better than I can hold but the worst of the lot still makes one ragged hole. There are accuracy benefits to be realized when paying attention to detail with your handloads.

 

[Suasponte]

Re: How extreme do i go for a factory rifle load?

Hand loading your ammo consistently will let you know when that factory barrel is ready to be screwed off and have a new one screwed back on. Every rifle I have I prep the same. Consistency in the reloading room and behind the trigger translates to rounds on target.

I never change my loading routine. It is the same for every caliber and every rifle I load for. Brass prep is always the same.

The only things that change are Powder type, charge weights, and primers. Then its always one change at a time.

Terry