From: Gale McMillan <" gale"@mcmfamily.com>
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Biggest Factor in Reloading
Date: 18 Mar 1997 09:30:24 -0500

Allen Fackler wrote:
# 
# William Delprete <wdelpret@mail.idt.net> wrote:
# 
# #Cybergunners:                                    March 16, 1997
# 
# #What is the biggest factor leading to success in reloading for accuracy: bullet quality,
# #charge adjustment, shoulder adjustment, primers, etc?  TIA
# 
# #                                                 Soldier Billy
# 
# I think the biggest factor is operator brain capacity.

When loading for accuracy there are sevarl critical requirements.  First
and most important is bullet quality.  Regardless what you do right it's
not going to do any good if the bullets don't fly straight.  Next in
importance is bullet seating depth.  They should be as close to the
rifling without touching as you can get them.  I use smoke and mark the
smoke but don't engrave the copper.  Next is case uniformity Flash hole,
Neck thickness and case capacity.  And last is powder charge weight. 
All bench rest shooters through their charges with a powder measure. 
The only exception to this is when you are shooting long range,
1000yds. Then a tenth or two makes a difference.  The above is taking for
granted that you are using the powder and primers that work the best in
what you are loading for.  The charge is going to be very close to Max
for the rifle you are loading for. It is a good rule of thumb that if you
are getting a vertical string you are not shooting enough powder. 
Increase it in tenths of a grain as when you get close it takes very
little to send you over the top.  When you hear of a rifle being finicky
to what it likes it is an indication that all not right with it.  A good
rifle will shoot well regardless what you feed it.  That doesn't mean
you can't improve it by getting your loads just right.  It only means
you will see less difference between your pet load and something not so
close.  A good benchrest rifle may be out of tune and you never know it
by the way its shooting as we're talking about a few thousands of an
inch.  That is why you continually check bullet seating depth, and
powder charge. If the temp. goes up 5 degrees during the day you will
make a click or two on your powder measure.

Gale McMillan