Thread: Seating Depth Test. Waste of Time?

I want to add something into this discussion.
I don’t like admitting it , but I’m probably the biggest dispersion factor when it comes to testing a favoured load .
I have good days on the Trigger and not so good days .
I’ve been playing with a couple of different projectiles in my 6x45 over the last couple of days .
After shooting numerous 10 shot groups ( yes I have been converted from my old 3 and 5 shot group testing) I can’t hand on heart say that I didn’t have an effect on the results.
If I could say that I triggered the shot perfectly every single time then I probably wouldn’t be commenting on a thread on a shooting forum.
I’d instead be composing my acceptance speech for winning some world championship somewhere.
The testing we all do isn’t in some test tunnel with a machine rest to eliminate the shooter influence , in my case it’s laying out in my paddock with bugs crawling on me and thoughts of work / family / what I have do later etc etc .
I’ve got my Rifle / Load combo down to 14mm - 17mm at 100m for 10 shot groups .
A couple of millimetres in my hold / technique can have a much greater effect on the results compared to - should I load 25.7gr or 25.9gr
Conversations like this assume that everyone is a World class Trigger man , well sorry to be the bringer of bad news chances are that you aren’t.
I’ve listened to a multitude of the Hornady podcasts now on this and similar subjects and something that I’ve yet to hear mentioned is shooter ability and consistent repeatability .
I’ve decided to dedicate as much time working on me , as I have in the past on my reloads .
I think back on some of my previous results and really question “ was it me or the load “ .
Now a bad projectile/powder type/powder weight/OAL etc will just be Dogshit , but it’s those fine tuning of a decidedly good load that I’m talking about