Question for Rifle Reloaders

[AggieHunter]

I was going to post this on the accurate reloading website, but thought i'd get a quite different response. I wanted to hear from people that I know hunt.

From a HUNTERS standpoint, and I'll focus on deer (but you can expand if you'd like), what is your acceptable level of accuracy when working up a new load? For the sake of discussion lets say your acceptable group sizes w/ 25 cal. and larger? Or if you shoot smaller (Like if you created your own new round and you can shoot jagged little holes w/ your eyes closed.... Hi Blake ) what do you expect out of it (and what is it).

I'm just curious what other people expect out of a hunting rifle. I've only been reloading for a couple of years and when I started I told myself if I could get 1" groups I would be satisfied. Now I find myself saying that 1" isn't bad, but i'd really be happy if i could get .5" or smaller.

[Tommyh]

The age old tale of "i wonder if...."

powder is the biggest issue when finding the right load for your rifle. nothing like spending $25 on a 1lb can and 15 shots into it finding out it isnt the right one for your rifle . Sure you could shoot it up, but since its not what youre looking for, why bother loading with it any longer?! now you have 4 cans of 1lb powder that you dont like and striving for the best one still

[Mike Javi Cooper]

That would depend entirely on your ability to accurately group a series of shots... for me it is M.O.A. or better... and most of my rifles will beat that quite nicely.

[Mike Javi Cooper]

The age old tale of "i wonder if...."

powder is the biggest issue when finding the right load for your rifle. nothing like spending $25 on a 1lb can and 15 shots into it finding out it isnt the right one for your rifle . Sure you could shoot it up, but since its not what youre looking for, why bother loading with it any longer?! now you have 4 cans of 1lb powder that you dont like and striving for the best one still

I take that as an opportunity to purchase another gun; one that will shoot the powder... no way am I wasting a pound of powder..

[mrduxs75757]

reloading

I have been reloading now for 10+ years. I was just wanting to get 1" groups @ 100yrds at first. Now I find myself trying to get 1/2".
But like most people that reload, I find reload relaxing and challenging all at the same time.

[AggieHunter]

That would depend entirely on your ability to accurately group a series of shots... for me it is M.O.A. or better... and most of my rifles will beat that quite nicely.

I agree. If you have the shakes and you can't hold a 1.5" group w/ a rifle that will shoot hole in hole they its not exactly a measure of the rifle's accuracy. But even at that a person still has to have something that he/she is working towards.

[bobo]

If I can't get a clover leaf at 100 yards with the rifle it's no good to me.

If I can;t get MOA with factory bullets it's no good to me.

One exception would be carbines. M1 Carbine, and my AR are both more than MOA.

[W-L-F]

I try to be able to cover a 3 shot group up with a dime--lots of times cut the same hole with 2 of the 3 shots

[muzzlebrake]

I've been reloading for 40+ years so I don't have much experience.
About the most important bit I can tell you is that "the devil is in the details"
Most guns will be better than the shooter.
Some guns will not like boat tail bullets and some guns will like the flat base bullets.
Hotter is not always better for accuracy.
Some bullets shoot better when seated deep ie; +.070 off the lands
Some are better just barely touching the lands.
Powder is important and is just one of the combo of parts but generally a cleaner burning propellant will be the more consistent and that is one of those details that produce tight groups.
Selecting the proper bullet design and weight for the barrel twist rate.
ETC ETC.
Keep good detailed records and experiment with different combos.
Reloading is fun
The targets here are just starting to be acceptable accuracy for hunting to my standards
For me personally, the gun must be sub moa to stay in my safe, pistol of rifle.
Most of mine will do a one hole 5 shot group if I do my part.

[rjtkdplus]

Can a deer tell the difference between a 1 inch group or a 1/2 inch group at 100 yards? With at least a 6 inch kill zone you will be fine to 400 yards with a inch group at 100. That said, I like to have 3 shots touching. The load and rifle can do it more often than I can.

[rbridges00]

What muzzlebrake said.... It's been a while since I've reloaded, but with the prices going back up for ammo, it's time to start again. It's all in the detail, keeping accurate records and being able to reproduce it EXACTLY!

[MorganA.]

I reload so that when I hunt I take the gun out of the equation, I guess I mean that if something goes wrong like I have a bad shot which never happens (haha) I will know it is MY fault and not the gun's or the ammo's .

[Bama]

My loads and guns probably shoot much better than me thats what my lead sled is for.

[Cajun Blake]

Hello Clint

IMO , it all depends upon what is acceptable to you as a deer hunter. Varmint hunters need a rifle to be more accurate than a deer hunting rifle

Plenty of variables that effect rifle accuracy .... factory rifle vs. custom rifle with custon barrel, optics , rifle rest , powder and bullet selection, range conditions (i.e. wind) , primers, bullet seating depth and neck wall tension, trigger pull weight, etc....

I'm a perfectionist and addicted to precision accuracy. What is satisfactory for some, may not be good enough for me and my rifle.

For the deer hunter who reloads and only shoots his factory rifle 8-12 times during rifles season, 3/4" handloads should be fine . For someone who has a custom rifle or custom barrel, 1/4" - 1/2" MOA should be obtainable if you do your part.

One also has to be a realist, and understand what level of accuracy his/her rifle is capable of. Certain factory rifles have a reputation of being very accurate. Others are only capable of 1" MOA or greater accuracy.

Once you get bitten by the accuracy bug, you will leave no stone unturned to shoot that 1 hole group. I primarily reload with Vitavhouri powders and Berger bullets b/c they are so consistent and yield optimum accurcy

Shooting at 100 yds will let you know if you have an accurate rifle. Shooting groups at 200 yds will definitely confirm your rifle's true long range capabilities.

I tend to shoot 5 shot groups to give an honest assessment of the shooter and the rifle. I also do alot of varmint and predator hunting where accuracy and shot placement is crucial.

a very accurate rifle will give the shooter the confidence needed to make difficult shots. I'm confident in all my rifles. If they don't shoot to my standards, there sold and replaced by another rifle or custom barrel.


hope that helps

PM me if you need further reloading data and help

.

[AggieHunter]

Thats what I love about this site. You ask a simple question and get bombarded w/ educational answers

I was really just curious what each of you considered to be a "good" group, not necessarily asking what I should be looking to achieve.... I now realize that most of you are pretty serious about your reloading and aren't just your "average Joe" reloader. I really appreciate all the info though... And please keep it coming. I'm always open to learn new stuff.