[goindeep]

Didnt know what else to title this thread....when I find a powder measure that my gun likes, will I know it when I am at that immediate measure(say it likes H414 at 65 grains) and at that immediate measure only or will I begin to see the groups tighten before I get to that point, say around 64, 64.5 and then really tighten at the "sweet" spot?

[esheato]

Every gun and load is different.

Some loads don't group. Some loads occasionally group. The load you want will consistently provide the accuracy you desire.

Also, you don't need benchrest accuracy for hunting. Bottom line, there are different accuracy requirements for different applications. If you're going hunting, 1-2" is perfectly acceptable for 200 yards or less.

IME, I get the best accuracy within a couple grains of max. Groups will typically start wide and gradually tighten. Some will progressively tighten and then all of a sudden open up. When this happens, verify your charge weights against a manual to make sure you're not running them over pressure. Honestly, some experimentation will clear up your confusion. ;)

Also, don't fiddle with to many adjustments at once. Typically I select a case, primer and a bullet for my rate of twist. Then I look at propellants...select about 4-5 that I think will work. Work up some loads and see what the gun likes. Once I get the propellant dialed in, I move to seating depth. If I'm still not getting the accuracy I want, I change bullets and start over.

Last thing....and I can't say this enough........USE QUALITY COMPONENTS. Garbage in, garbage out.

Best of luck.

Ed

[Walkalong]

Last thing....and I can't say this enough........USE QUALITY COMPONENTS. Garbage in, garbage out.
Yep. Good bullets make all the difference in the world. Try two or three quality bullets and your gun is sure to like one.

How will I know?
Practice. No other way. You will just get to know. Went through the same thing when I stated Benchrest. Other guys would talk about how "man, my guns shooting good" or "Gee, my guns shooting bad, I think my scope took a S*** on me".

I learned with practice and learned to tell when "my gun was shootin' ".

[mc223]

I use this method and it does work well. give it a try.