Good posts by homers brother! May be a bit to detailed for a beginner and I have an idea it could get even more detailed. There is one thing true about reloading. Just about the time you have it figured out something happens you can't explain. Example is the standard deivation. Without a doubt the smaller that number, the more consistent your ammo should be. But not always true. I have one rifle. a 30-06, using cast bullets that will group under an inch at 50yds and has a standard dieivation of over 100! Don't ask me how that works, I'm stumped. I have a couple rifles shooting jacketed bullet loads that also shoot better than they should judging by the standard dieivation.

All those things are theory that can be proven right, the vast majority of the time. But now and then something happens and the theory gets thrown out the window and I haven't a clue why!

The bottom line in the whole shooting game is what do you get on the target. Your shooting at most 400yds, you can get by without a chronograph nicely. You won't have a clue what your velocity might be and often it's better you don't know. Your best loads may be under some velocity you think you need. For what your talking about, all you need to see is what's on the target at the different ranges you shoot.

Really good break down by homers brother though! When you get to that point you'll probably be answering the questions rather than asking them.