Reloading for Precision shooting?

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You said you switched presses, I covered both basis in my response, sentence one or two.

I did say I switched presses but not to do the same operations. My point was that having 2 holders would eliminate swapping back and forth.
 
The shell holder you size with is important to keep with the sizing die if your locked down.

I absolutely agree with you. I have spare shell holders, but I tend to only use one shell holder per caliber to avoid that.
 
Yes I can agree that some fliers can be wind driven but many times POI will indicate a wind push. Many that I define as fliers defy the wind push. Meaning if the wind is crossing from the left then the bullet shouldn't have gone further left.

Not certain I follow the expression musical chairs bullets? or all? It was an issue with all bullets fired. 2 seperate Savage rifles. Last year (which presented the most issues) is a Savage Model 10 223 that was purchased used with unknown round count. Added a Savage target spring to the trigger, less than 2lbs. This years rifle, a Savage model 11 223 with a Model 12 Varmint barrel, Boyd's At-One stock, Athlon Helos scope with the same Savage target trigger. Don't know the weight but it is not light. This combination has greatly reduced the number and frequency of unexplained shots.

Am finally after almost 3 ears now getting to the point when I pretty much know when an errant shot was all me and I freely admit those. Lastly I think the model 10 is just about done and the model 11 with the new Model 12 barrel was a vast improvement. Hoping to replace the model 10 barrel with a Shilen 223 with a 7.5:1 and hoping that is the next step up.

Those model 12 varmint barrels are pretty decent, much better than the standard run of the mill Savage stuff and Ive seen more than a few of them shoot really well. The At-One stock might need a skim bedding but its not horrible either as long as you are comfortable behind it.
 
I did say I switched presses but not to do the same operations. My point was that having 2 holders would eliminate swapping back and forth.
With would be fine if your doing different operations. My goal is to help you find possible areas of discrepancy. I do this making no assumptions. I absolutely mean no offense.
 
Those model 12 varmint barrels are pretty decent, much better than the standard run of the mill Savage stuff and Ive seen more than a few of them shoot really well. The At-One stock might need a skim bedding but its not horrible either as long as you are comfortable behind it.
I was just looking at one of those exact stocks for my son to shoot ofhand 22 Silhouette. They look great.
 
With would be fine if your doing different operations. My goal is to help you find possible areas of discrepancy. I do this making no assumptions. I absolutely mean no offense.

I know, it's all good.

Again the whole purpose of this topic was to get some information and general perception on what I have recently found when sizing and measuring with the comparator. Somehow this thread seems to keep drifting away from that..
 
So going thru the horde that is my reloading room I just came across another 270 pcs of Norma brass that I knew I had and stashed away. It too has been reloaded and fired but not in this rifle and has also been resized and measured with the Lyman headspace gauge. So I pulled some out and measured shoulders again with the comparator and found this stuff all over the place. Ranging from 1.461" to 1.466".. Quite the variance.

Now do I shoot it as-is or resize it to the new rifle? Could it be that is were some of my ES was originating from?
 
So going thru the horde that is my reloading room I just came across another 270 pcs of Norma brass that I knew I had and stashed away. It too has been reloaded and fired but not in this rifle and has also been resized and measured with the Lyman headspace gauge. So I pulled some out and measured shoulders again with the comparator and found this stuff all over the place. Ranging from 1.461" to 1.466".. Quite the variance.

Now do I shoot it as-is or resize it to the new rifle? Could it be that is were some of my ES was originating from?
1.458 to 1.466 is more variation than I would accept. The problem with that statement is that brass grows from factory until you reach chamber length and start bumping. Two or three thousandths is OK, more than that I'm trying to fix. If 1.466 chambers your stuck fire forming until you get consistency.
 
many times POI will indicate a wind push. Many that I define as fliers defy the wind push. Meaning if the wind is crossing from the left then the bullet shouldn't have gone further left.

You might be surprised - as most newer shooters ARE - that it actually happens about 50% of the time… wind can fall below the prevailing condition just as easily as rise above it, at which point your wind hold ends up being too much, and you miss off the upwind side of the intended target. When only a mile per hour or two worth of drift represents a significant portion of your group size, then rise and fall can look like flyers. Maybe it ain’t wind, but like I said before, given good bullets and eliminating flinch/punch, flyers are most commonly: Inconsistent POA, *anticipating shot by punching/flinching/tensing*, poor trigger control or follow through, (failing to notice & compensate for slight changes in) wind, then neck tension. *Throw inconsistent breath management on there as well.* A few thou headspace inconsistency ain’t great, but I’m not terribly convinced.

What is your neck tension looking like? Have you videoed your trigger management to see if you’re slapping or jumping off the trigger? Clenching your hand? Pulling the trigger? Ball and dummy with a buddy to see if you’re punching recoil or flinching (anticipating recoil). Does the problem persist for other (proven capable) shooters?

Fixing excessive headspace inconsistency is pretty simple, because the causes are finite, but I don’t think that’s the rabbit we need to chase here. Get them all fireformed out to the same length, use the same die and shellholder and bump back 2 thou from headspace kiss, then the only opportunity for variance is inconsistent springback - which using matched lot brass and Annealing mitigates - and press inconsistencies - which using a solid single stage press, turret, or evenly loaded progressive and running the ram the same every stroke mitigates - then it’ll go away on its own.
 
What is your neck tension looking like? Have you videoed your trigger management to see if you’re slapping or jumping off the trigger? Clenching your hand? Pulling the trigger?

Fixing excessive headspace inconsistency is pretty simple, Get them all fireformed out to the same length, use the same die and shellholder and bump back 2 thou from headspace kiss, then the only opportunity for variance is inconsistent springback - which using matched lot brass and Annealing mitigates -

No need to video as I already know and admit that my technique needs work. Trigger work and just plain pure posture including a consistent cheek-weld. It all needs work and falls under my heading of "Needed trigger time!" After working with my friend and mentor my neck tension has improved and as he keeps telling me would improve even more with top quality brass and bullets.

At this point I feel I am doing better than I expected with what I have and am starting to crave for more. Still expanding my experience level.
 
What bullets are you using?

Last year I shot RMR 69gr HPBT and they did very well in the old gun. So far this year I have been shooting Nosler 69gr Custom Competition. Though I don't have enough to shoot the season and looks like now I will be shooting Sierra MK 69gr.
 
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