Reloading vs factory loads

[H4831]

A rifle that will not throw factory bullets accurately probably will not throw handloads accurately, reloading is not a cure for a rifle that is not working correctly, but if you have a rifle that groups pretty well with factory loads, perhaps you can tailor a load that will shoot better. Probably lots of the loads you try will only shoot as well as factory loads, and a few will shoot worse.. The journey is fun, and when you find a load that does what you want in terms of accuracy and velocity, it is a very good day.

I agree with you. If your rifle is inaccurate with factory loads, then work on the rifle, not different loads.
If a rifle is accurate, meaning five shot groups fired while letting the barrel get hot, with one load, it will be pretty good with any descent ammo.
I never heard of the word, "Sweetspot," being related to shooting, until I started reading the threads on the CGN. I don't feel too bad about it though, because it looks like Warren Page never heard of it either. And he was shooting editor of Field and Stream magazine for 24 years and won the US National Bench Rest championship shooting match nine times.
Here is what he says about reloading for 1000 yard shooting, in his book, "The Accurate Rifle."

 

[hk33ka1]

I like the cartridges that at that time Warren refers to as "short magnums".

 

[Mittz]

I sighted my243 in with a box of Remington ammo at 200 yards hitting 3" centers then I shot my freshly made reloads same type and weight bullet and now it was shooting 8" to the left but still with 3" groups at 200 yards .now I don't know what to do reset my scope or leave it where it is

 

[H4831]

I sighted my243 in with a box of Remington ammo at 200 yards hitting 3" centers then I shot my freshly made reloads same type and weight bullet and now it was shooting 8" to the left but still with 3" groups at 200 yards .now I don't know what to do reset my scope or leave it where it is

I would reset the scope.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

i would reset the scope.

x2.

 

[joedude]

I sighted my243 in with a box of Remington ammo at 200 yards hitting 3" centers then I shot my freshly made reloads same type and weight bullet and now it was shooting 8" to the left but still with 3" groups at 200 yards .now I don't know what to do reset my scope or leave it where it is

Was it windy that day?

 

[KDX]

Harmonics would be my guess.

 

[rral22]

I sighted my243 in with a box of Remington ammo at 200 yards hitting 3" centers then I shot my freshly made reloads same type and weight bullet and now it was shooting 8" to the left but still with 3" groups at 200 yards .now I don't know what to do reset my scope or leave it where it is

If you intend to use the reloads, re-sight the rifle. In my experience, no two loads that use different components can be expected to shoot to the same spot, and you can't predict what the change in POI will be. Occasionally, it may happen that two loads shoot to the same POI, but it will be a fluke of chance.

A fact of reloading is that you must adjust scopes fairly often.

 

[Boomer686]

Why are reloads more accurate than factory loads?
Is it that you can tailor the load to gun or is it powder choice/bullet choice?

Yes and yes. Keep in mind it will take some experimentation (and patience) to find what works for YOUR rifle. Other shooters' pet loads are not gauranteed in your rifle: they may be a good starting point but you will most likely have to develop your own load to maximize YOUR rifle's full potential.

Regards,

 

[maliboy67]

Yes and well um Yes

 

[wolfen1960]

Yes...and it's cheaper too. Costs, for me and my 3oowsm about 1/2 of store bought. So when the math is all done, it only costs me about 10 times as much to reload as buying readymade....since it's so much cheaper I tend to shoot way more!