tightest groups with a progressive press?

[atek3]

So for the longest time I'd been making 'semi-match' ammo for my Tikka 223. LC67 processed brass, sorted by mass, flashhole deburred, chamfered, etc. Handweighed 23.4 gr. varget, seated a 69 gr. moly SMK to 2.240 OAL. Very impressive accuracy, 0.3-0.6 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yds. However, time is expensive and I can't shoot anywhere near that so 1 MOA ammo would be "good enough" for my Highpower skills (mid-expert). So a few days ago I loaded 77 rds. of ammo (the first time I set my press up in the last 6 months). This time, no special case prep, only chamfered. Loaded progressively on my dillon 550B didn't weigh a single charge. The results: 0.45, 0.6, and 0.7 inch groups at 100 yrds. Is it just me or is my time spent better practicing and not deburring flashholes

What are your best groups from progressively reloaded ammo? And from what gun?


atek3

 

[stans]

Initially, you are far better off practicing at the range. When you have the skills to consistantly shoot sub-moa, then ammo becomes a bigger factor. At least in my humble opinion.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Although I have done almost all of my Highpower reloading for this year on a single stage (new batch of police-brass, needed to be trimmed and prepped) I did do a couple of batches on a Lee 1000 progressive. Even after tumbling the finished rounds to clean the lube, they shot great. Recipe was similar to yours in .223; 24.5gr Varget, 69 SMK (or Nosler J4, I can't remember), LC cases and Win pirmers. In my father's brand new DPMS upper I punched out a 2", 10-shot 100 yard prone group without trying. In my Armalite the results were closer to 1-1.5 MOA for 10 rounds, so I'm not worried about handweighing or prepping anything.

FWIW, although I am not classified yet, I can shoot mid-upper Master-class scores most days with my Armalite M-15 National Match.

HTH,
~Nate

CAUTION: THIS IS A MAXIMUM LOAD. IF YOU WISH TO ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE THIS LOAD, START AT 22gr AND WORK UP IN .2gr INCREMENTS. THIS USER AND THEHIGHROAD ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF THIS INFORMATION!

Edit: I've now switched to 77gr Nosler J4s and H4895 for the Armalite. This stuff will go sub-MOA at 200 yards. My recipe, NOT TO BE REPLICATED IN ANY OTHER FIREARM WITHOUT WORKING UP is 24gr H4895, WSR primer, LC case (mostly 99 and 00, but there are some mid-90s in there), 77gr Nosler J4 seated to 2.25". Good for about 2750fps out of a 20" AR-15 barrel.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Accurate Progressive press

The most accurate Progressive reloader started the name of "Progressive" Press. The "Star "Progressive" reloader was invented in 1931 and the patent approved in 1933. The Star Reloader has been used by more pistol Champions than any other Reloader and there are more Stars in use than all the others together. Star did not have an aggressive advertising campaign as word of mouth was sufficient. Star did not have a room of telephone consultants or have to send replacements for broken parts.

Dillon hung around the Star Factory getting looks at manufacturing proceedures. Dillon has created 17 modells and the 650 is the best. Star had only 2 models. The original 38/357 machine and the all pistol caliber Universal model. The Star has the deserved reputation of being the most Accurate Reloader producing the most accurate ammunition and a Lifetime Machine that has not been surpassed in it's quality of materials and workmanship. A used Star is a better bargain than a new Dillon.

I have a web site for the owners or want to be owners of the excellent Star Progressive Reloader and our archives from 2002 can be read by anyone.

Paul Fitz Jones

 

[30Cal]

My .308 loads shoot 1 MoA or less pretty consistantly out of my M14. I spend as little time as possible at the reloading bench. I uniform the primer pockets and flashholes on the 1st time through, but other than that, I don't do much extra. Dillon 550.