Thread: Some Thoughts on Handloading.

All things precision have come a long way over the last 30 years . Tolerances and consistency in machining and manufacture have improved dramatically and we can see that in our own little neck of the woods - Shooting .
When I started a 1 inch group at 100 yrds was considered the “ Holy Land “ and if your Rifle / Ammo combo produced that repeatedly ( not just a couple of fluke groups ) then you had yourself a keeper that you’d never sell .
Now Cartridge case design, Chamber dimensions, Brass , powder , projectiles , reloading equipment and the consistency of all of those things have all combined to put us in a place where that 1 inch is “ Blah “ and you have to have a sub 1/2 inch gun to feel special.
The basic principles of reloading haven’t changed in my opinion, the components have .
I’ve found myself patting myself on the back a few times about some of my results , but the reality is I’m not a better reloader , the component’s and Rifle are worlds ahead if what I used to work with .
Reloaded isn’t some kind of “ Dark Arts “ it’s basic common sense and being consistent with every stage of the process.
I recently helped a young guy get started in reloading and my first words were this isn’t “ Rocket Science “ it’s basic processes and his Tikka with his handloads is producing results that you would have sold your Grandmother for 25 years ago .
Now if you want to win a F Class or Benchrest world Championship then you better have done your 10,000 hous reloading apprenticeship
but for the majority of us we are spoiled by the basic commonplace / common sense information that is out there .
The internet has more “ Bullshitters “ than a car salesman convention, don’t try compare and duplicate someone else’s results, your Rifle is different , and chances are you tell the truth and they don’t.