In terms of accuracy, what is the most important factor of reloading (bullet seating depth, optimal powder charge, consistent powder charge, uniform case volume, etc)?

Consistancy. Same brass, not mixed bag. Fairly consistant powder, within +/-.1 gr. Consistant seat and crimp.

If your trying to optimize a load start with varying powder charge once you get the tightest group then play with seating depth.

One other note. Mixed primers will change point of impact. Even the same make in a different lot can change poi, group size may not change but poi can.

I wish I could say....seems most of my rifles have a different opinion.

To answer your specific question: optimal powder charge.

Concentricity and consistency is what you need in all aspects of handloading. Everything you do makes some partial difference in the results, some more than others.

That's like asking what is more important to beauty? Hair color, build, complexion, or?
If it all isn't there in harmony, you probably won't get the results you are seeking. Sorry, I hope that isn't too Zen.

quote:

Originally posted by Blacktailer:
That's like asking what is more important to beauty? Hair color, build, complexion, or?
If it all isn't there in harmony, you probably won't get the results you are seeking. Sorry, I hope that isn't too Zen.

Agreed.

I think it even trumps consistency. If one has a bad load for HIS rifle, it doesn't matter how consistently he dulicates it. It will still be a bad load...a consistently bad one.

quote:

In terms of accuracy, what is the most important factor of reloading

No question about it....it's picking the right bullet!.....After that's done it's picking the right powder and after than it's hundreds of little things.

When seeking a load for a new rifle, I always start with testing different bullets. I seem to get more accuracy improvement by changing the particular bullet choice than from changing any other variable, at least in the beginning.
Regards, Joe

A quality bullet whose length is appropriate for the chamber and twist.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

In terms of accuracy, what is the most important factor of reloading

No question about it....it's picking the right bullet!.....After that's done it's picking the right powder and after than it's hundreds of little things.

x2

1. bullet
2. powder and charge weight (regulating bullet exit timing)
3. acceptable brass (<.003" variance in neck thickness)
4. acceptable concentricity (<.004" TIR)
5. sizing method (PNS, PFLR, FL)
6. bullet grip
7. seating depth consistancy
8. seating depth
9. primer type
10. consistancy in all the above

Now the firearm itself (barrel, bedding, squareness of the action, etc) and the ability of the shooter trump all the above.

Consistency with all components.

Having a good homebrew right there...

Everything counts, a great barrel comes first on the list. Read this> Reloading for Benchrest.

If all else is equal with out a doubt CONSISTANTCY is the GOD of accuracy in all firearm types, not just CF rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Not_Infringed:
In terms of accuracy, what is the most important factor of reloading (bullet seating depth, optimal powder charge, consistent powder charge, uniform case volume, etc)?

YES

I will add this as well.

I have been blessed with owning two rifles that will shoot most of what I feed them into or below .7 MOA at 100yrds, one more often than not will give me .5 MOA. I asked my self just how small could I get these rifles to shoot?
The reloading equipment I had (and mostly still have) was pretty basic. No neck turning tools or concenticity gauges and realy no other types of specialty reloading tools. I also only used Winchester brass.

Keep in mind this was in the days prior to me getting married and becomming a dad so I had enough "disposable income" that I could have used $20s for TP.

So I called and spoke to the tech reps at Sinclrare Int. Told them what I was shooting and what reloading equipment I had and the level of accuracy I was getting. I asked him his advice on invseting considerable $$$ on neck turning tools and other specialty reloading tools normaly reserved for the bench rest crowd. His reply was surprisingly truthful. In short he asked me if I was willing to spend over $100-$300 for every .125" I "might" reduce my group size by? because I would end up spending $100s of dollars to at best shrink a.5" group down to .3". He reminded me that after all I owned 100% factory rifles and the accuracy I was getting was a level I should be beyond happy with as it stood.

I agreed with him. I also called Redding and got a similar responce. So I did not spend any additional $$$ on any bench rest type of reloading tools and have never thought twice about it.