I have been re-loading my on ammo now for about 15 years. When I first started out I never paid a lot of attention to accuracy. All I wanted to do was be able to pull the trigger more for the same amount of money. As time went on and I started realizing I could actually make ammo that shot as good, if not better then the factory stuff, I started paying a little more attention to details. I have read many articles on re-loading and case preparation and have read many opinions on what's the most important thing you can do as a re-loader. My question for this discussion is-- What do you think is the single most important thing you can do to produce a consistent and accurate round? I personally think its bullet run out? What do you think?

That's probably true,But having the powder charges the same means a lot. Bullet seating could be there also. Depending on the group size you a looking for.

Velocity is the most critical factor in accuracy. High standard deviations in velocity can impact POI. I also agree that run out is an important factor to control, however, change velocity by 10% and you will be off the paper at 200 yards.

Z

[This message has been edited by Zero Drift (edited 06-11-2001).]

I agree with Reload. I think the first thing one can do to improve on factory ammo accuracy is to insure each charge is accurately weighed. To be sure, there are many other things that people do to increase accuracy. And many of these things can get to be pretty detailed and exotic. But I think accruately weighing charges is the first and perhaps easiest thing to do.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

Bullet selection.

IMO, powder charges mean diddley squat at shorter ranges. Bullet seating depth is perhaps the most important factor, or at least the easiest to better, as compared to factory ammo.

Seating depth variation means more to ES than powder charge ditto.

-- Mats

IMHO, the most important thing you can do it to get a chronograph.

When I finally started chronographing my loads, I noticed two constants. The first was that my least accurate loads were the ones that had high deviance in velocity. The second thing I found was that the most accurate loads had the lowest deviance.

So, when you chronograph your rounds, try to load for a deviance of less than 10 fps between rounds. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

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Happiness is a 200 yard bughole.

For whatever it's worth a friend of mine asked the Sierra reps the same question once at their booth at the National Matches. They said it was bullet seating depth.

John

IMPO, the selection of components is more important that "weighing" each charge. There are those that feel it is the volume of the powder, not weight (once "the" charge has been selected), because of variances in moisture. Although low SD's in velocity should be a predicter of accuracy, don't bet the farm on it.

I have found that the choice of bullet and powder are the most important; then seating depth; and then primer selection. Ku-dude