Can I do better

[sixgunluvr]

I dusted off my Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe Sporter been awhile since I shot it and haven't tried many types of ammo in it yet. I decided to try and see if it liked some lighter weight ammo. Up until now I had shot some 180gr. Federal Premium bonded ammo that I was barely able to keep in three shots in 2.5in. Also some 180gr CT Ballistic Silvertips that will go three shots for 1.125in. Today I tried some 165gr. Rem core-lokt. 5 shot at around 1.125in.

Can I do better with some handloads? Or is this about as good as it gets? I'm just using sandbags off a bench and i'll admit I couldn't get a perfectly solid rest...need some different size bags. I'd be happy with 5 shots under an inch. Thinking about having my father load me up either some 165gr. core-lokt or some 168gr CT Ballistic Silvertips.

[podunk kennels]

Thats ok for a hunting rifle by all means. Test some other loads though if you want tighter groups. Try lowering your powder charge some as the hottest loads arent always the most accurate. If different loads dont help some minor smithing may be necessary.

[Ridge Runner]

If you have alot reloading experience, yes you can do better than any factory load, reason being you not only tailor the load to your rifles preferences, but the brass fits better.
Accuracy is about where in the barrels harmonic travels the bullet exits, this is known as a "sweet spot" find it and keep the bullet exiting the muzzle the same place at a consistant muzzle velocity will give you the best accuracy your rifle is capable of, if your rifle has no other issues (bedding, bad trigger, throat erosion, etc.)
you can change the swet spot in many ways, seating depth, powder charge, different primer) you have much more control of your rifles accuracy than most folks realize. It just takes research and experience.
RR

[Pygmy]

For us mere mortals, that's a pretty durn good 5 shot group...

It's excellent hunting accuracy... Unless you are shooting benchrest for smallest group size,or perhaps shooting at very longe range , its actually better than you need for deer size or larger game out to 400 yards or so, which is as far or farther than most of us want to take a shot...

If it shoots that good with factory loads, an experienced handloader could no doubt work up sub MOA loads for your rifle, but strictly from a hunting standpoint, I'd take those factory loads and go hunting any old day...

[Vapodog]

I've only had one rifle that shot better with factory ammo over any handloads....a .225 Winchester in 1965.....

1 1/8" groups aren't bad at all.....but you should be able to improve on it....if it's worth it to you.

You didn't say what cartridge but if it's a .30-06 you probably can add 100-200 FPS and retain the accuracy by handloading.....and at less cost than factory stuff!

There is always better, just got to figure out if your willing to put alot of effort to find better.