Reloads More accurate?
 

Can I reload a more accurate load, I have a really good friend who is probably one of the most knowledgable people I know has reloaded me some shells. If he doesnt know stuff he makes it up though. ARE RELOADS MORE ACCURATE? Right now Im shooting some store bought winchester partiner 130 grain for a .270. My godfather sighted my gun in for me so I dont know how well he got it but he is the best shooter in the county and has been around the world hunting. He just shoots store bought ammo, but Jim the other friend says its no where near as accurate he has made me some ballistic tips and partiner. So should I resight my gun in and see if those bullets work for me? I would like to make them work. Is Jim correct that reloads are more accurate than store bought ammo. Oh yeah he measures to the thousandth of a grain and incerted the bullet to the books specs. He seems to know alot about reloading
Please just give me an idea of what to do?

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Most of the time you can produce a relaod that will shoot betetr than factory loads in your rifle. Alot depends on a person's attention to detail and QC of hteir loads. Sometimes there are factory loads that will be more accurate than or just as accurate as anything you can produce.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

You need to find a load that your gun likes and whether it is a handload or a factory load makes little difference.However by developing your own handloads by trying several powders and bullets ,you have a much better chance of finding the load that your gun likes best.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Depends on how much time, effort and attention to detail you're willing to invest in the handloads. The big commercial ammo makers load MILLIONS of rounds of ammo a year on state of the art loading machines that probably start in the six digit range and go up from there, and have ballistics labs staffed with guys who's sole purpose in life is to find loads that are safe, reliable and perform reasonably well in the largest cross section of firearms. But the caveat to making ammo to suit every gun is that it will never always suit any one gun. By handloading you are able to make ammo that perfectly matches your individual rifle, not ammo designed to shoot in every rifle chambered in that cartridge.

It's likely that with enough experimenting you could find a factory load that will shoot as well or better than any handload you'd likely work up BUT...you'll be forced to shoot whatever bullet/brass/primer/powder combo the factory is using, which may not be exactly what you want or need. The greatest advantages I see in handloading is that it allows you to make loads that are taylored to suit my rifles using the components I want to use. Secondly, it allows me to load and shoot premium bullets without paying through the nose for premuim factory ammo.

I also enjoy rolling my own. It's enjoyable and the results, when good, are very rewarding. Of course, the flip side is that when you just can't find a load that your rifle wants to shoot it can be downright infuriating.

Mike

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

I have come to believe the biggest factor in accuracy is the bullet to land spacing. The factory just might get it right for your rifle, but they might not. If you don't play around with this dimension you won't achieve the nth degree of accuracy except by the dumb luck factory method.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Well my friend said when he went to the factory they wipped them out so fast that he could do a more quality, and equalize them better. He says the amr power burns so much better than winchester ball power. Is that true?

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

The one, biggest point, to hand loading,comes as one word"CONSISTENCY"!!!!!!! This you control,not a machine,set up to blend powders and ram bullets into cases!!!
Being consistent,is the heart of accuracy.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Well how consistant are factorys, I know this guy is very consistant as I have seen what his gun does to the paper. But then Ive seen what others guns do to the paper with store bought!

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

I have fiddled around with a lot of rifles, buyin' beaters and fixin' 'em up for resale. I've be able to get most of them to shoot 1.5 moa groups with factory ammo of some make or other. The factories have ammo that they take more pains with, and charge more for, it is generally more accurate. Bench resters have to load their own, no factory can meet thier accuracy requirements. You need to tell us what yours are before we tell you that you have to take up handloading. ;)

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Actually the premium factory loads are normally more expensive because they use more costly bullets such as the nosler partition or failsafe or bearclaw.In fact most rifles are less accurate with these bullets than with conventional cup and core bullets which are cheaper to buy.Buying premium factory loads is a good way to ensure better bullet performance on game ,but it is by no means a guarantee of better accuracy.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Reloads are defineate more accurate,and i have in the past pulled bullets from factory shells and found up to 2 grs of powder difference in one box. Reloads are the way to go,especially after one works up a load for his rifle. vangunsmith

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Just because a load is handloaded does not mean that it will be more accurate.Finding the combination of powder,bullet and overall length is far more important than having each powder charge precisely the same weight.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

I don't which has gotten better - guns or factory ammo (maybe both) - but in the last 35 years I've seen a remarkable improvement in groups at the range with factory ammo. The stuff is good and it's repeatable.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

My handloads are better than any factory load. Good luck.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

What premium bullets do they put in extended range ammo?

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

bear claws should be really accurate. I am going to reload some bullets and give it a test to see what I can do vs winchester and others bullets

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

I considered the question, are reloads more accurate than factory fodder, and realized I would have absolutely no idea.

I can't remember the last time I bought factory ammo, although I am sure it was at least 20 years ago. I have no idea how factory ammo performs!

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Hi mrwake

It seems to me that you left out an important detail in your original question... what level of accuracy are you getting with the factory ammo you are using? If you are getting 1/2 moa with your factory ammo, then... NO, reloads aren't going to be more accurate. If it's 4 moa, then it's quite likely YES (depending on how much time and care you are willing to put into it).

If you are getting unacceptable accuracy, then there are a number of things you can look at besides reloading:
- other brands and/or loads of factory ammo (you don't say whether you have tried more than one).
- there are number of possibilities regarding the rifle itself that could be effecting accuracy.
- and of course - reloading.

It doesn't sound like you currently reload. If you are thinking about getting into reloading, you should think about what you want out of it. If it is solely to improve accuracy, you may find a different brand of factory ammo to be a cheaper/faster way to get there. And, if you can't find any factory ammo that gives you reasonable accuracy - look to your rifle. trying to work up an accurate reload for a rifle that is 'flawed' can be a long and frustrating experiance.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Reloaded ammo CAN BE more accurate than factory ammo, but it must be developed using the gun you intend to shoot it in. [b]NO FACTORY LOAD CAN BE TAILORED SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR RIFLE!! Please note also! BENCHREST COMPETITORS DON'T USE FACTORY AMMO!!

There is no doubt some VERY accurate factory ammo being made these days. However, I have yet to find any factory ammo that is quite the equal of my own custom loads, WITH ONE EXCEPTION. I have never been able to reload match pistol ammo that shot as well as factory .38 Special wadcutter, or .45 ACP wadcutter and Ball Match military stuff in my match pistols!

I believe the major improvement in all ammo today is that we have a lot better, more concentric bullets now than ever before. In addition, a lot of present factory ammo is being put together with these great custm bullets, like the Sierras, Noslers, etc.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

I wouldn't count on it. They have wonderful terminal bullistics, but solid shank bullets ain't known for thier accuracy.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

Hello mrwake,

In order to know that question,you would have to do alot of test shooting from the bench with a CHRONY to compare.
Why go thru all that trouble? Buy different brands of ammo in different grains and see which one your gun likes the
best.Same as your Automobile....which gas gives you better mileage? Just my opinion GUY'S...Don't shoot at me!!!


KEEP ON ROOTING!!!

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

You do not need a chronograph to compare accuracy.

RE: Reloads More accurate?
 

10-4.....Been there Done that! More reloaders should try it.