Taking my Reloading to the next level

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Gobc

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I've been reloading for many years now mostly for semi auto precision rifles. I've recently tried playing with the seating depth on my bolt gun and have good results. I want to improve my consistency. I currently only do the basics, cleaning, resizing, trimming. What is the next level in brass prep to improve accuracy?
 
Annealing and outside neck turning. The goal, make the neck tension as consistent as possible.

Then the biggie... a quality milligram scale. This will have an ouch on the price tag but in the long run, THE best investment I have made.

The 2nd was spending the money on a Bench Source annealer... another ouch but itty bitty groups have been well worth it.

Jerry
 
Rynnik said:
Not brass prep, but do you have a cronograph? It was the big 'next step forward' for me.
Click to expand...

Agreed, if you don't have a chronograph, get one.

I'm working up to an annealer, but not quite there yet. Thinking next year I'll take the plunge and buy some more fancy reloading items. This year the wallet is taking a beating stocking up on supplies.
 
I was saving up for a good annealer, could not wait any longer and made a dual torch, drill, and metronome app setup. Been using it for a few years now. I noticed a big difference in consistency, the other was paying closer attention to seating depth. I recommend a micrometer seating die. Outside neck turner will be next for me.
 
I do have a chronograph, but i really only chrony my loads once I develop them. I base my groups on what shoots most accuratly. I also don't try to squeeze as much velocity as possible. I usually choose the accuracy node that has the highest powder charge, but is well within pressure specs.

I just did a load development for my M24. I shot about 10 groups off an automated machine rest. Shooting was done at 100m, Here are the results:

xm7MKtw.jpg


Yesterday I shot a few groups with the rifle. One was 0.5 moa (4 shots which were 0.3moa, screwed up the 5th like usual :) ), the other was 0.4 moa. I have a very accurate load and a very accurate rifle. Btw, final load is 39.0 grains of H4895, Berger 185gr Juggernaut Target, CCI BR4 primers, 0.02" off the lands. Average velocity is 2469 f/s. I'm very happy with the results so far, but there is always room for improvement.
 
Getting reloads to the next level involves throwing money at it.
If you can afford FX120 scale + AMP annealer, this along with using premium brass and primers will go a long way!
 
I've been slowly upgrading all my dies.

Used to only use RCBS, then Redding, now i've moved on to Wilson and Forster, all FL bushing sizers and micrometer seaters.

For the Wilson's i've went to seating with a K&M arbor press. Really like that set up.

Went all in with A&D Fx120i and an Autotrickler for the powder dispensing. Worth every penny, though it's spendy with all the Area 419 bling added to it.

Realistically, the next upgrade to my equipment will be an annealer. Not sure which one yet, but will be a big investment in the quest for a very minimal accuracy gain.
 
If you don't have an AMP annealer yet, you can send your brass to Precision Annealing in Vanderhoof British Columbia and it will be done for a fee. It's what I do currently. I used to anneal "by hand" but this is more consistent and best part is I don't have to do it myself. :)


precisionannealing@gmail.com
 
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