how much does oal help groups?

[SCREAMINREELS]

Im just about finished working up new load...i have 3 that are all some of the best groups ive everr gotten out of this gun. i really dont see how playing will length will improve it any more. or did i just get lucky and pick the right length from the beginning?

I dont know how to measure off the lands but i am very picky about my prep, using same brass trimed etc. all are meausred accurately with powder and seated to same length

ive only done 3 shot groups so far but it blew me away with final results, this is my 2nd trip to range with new loads after ladder tests.

Im fairly new to reloading. probrably 2-3 yrs but i shoot s-4 times a month and reload alot, more if i go to the lease. so ive reloaded a fwe rounds. this is just the first gun ive actually gotten serious about and plan on shooting at further distances

[westtexducks]

I am absolutely know help, but I have to say this thread is useless with out pics.

[SCREAMINREELS]

lol give me a minute and ill get em up, its good for me, im sure theres much better out there but ive also seen much worse...actually ive shot much worse

[Osceola]

Yes you can improve your groups with the correct oal.I use a Hornady oal tool to determine the oal.

[Cajun Blake]

Shoot 5-shot groups at 200 yds to check for accuracy

I highly suggest you shoot over a chronograph

Buy an RCBS precision mic gauge to check chamber length from bolt face to lands

[SCREAMINREELS]

These were 3 shot grouos at 100 going in .2 increments of powder from ladder test reloaded 6 of each and did 3 shot groups..both sets of 3 shot groups were about the same...havent done .1 increments yet but will at 200 with 5 shot groups then I guesa ill stary on length...just wasnt sure how much more length would help

[SCREAMINREELS]

Also is it wierd to have a wide range of good groups. it grouped great with 45.2 45.4, 45.6, and also at 44.2 and 44.4 but inbetween the two it opened up? or is that shooter error

blake. at what increment do you change length of bullets when doing tests..ive also throught about a chrono and im becoming prettyhooked and shooting alot more than i did last year. im considering the investment

[SCREAMINREELS]

also oal on these were all 2.727-2.732..thats about as accurate as my dies wil go as far as differnece between each seating. i think thats pretty good for bottom of the line rcbs dies?

[Cajun Blake]

I always start out with the bullet kissing the lands so there is no bullet jump

To much jump will decrease accuracy

Your groups look great , I would load 6 rds of your best 3shot groups . Then shoot a 5 shot group at 200 , your first shot being a "fouler" . Clean barrel in between groups and let it cool. That way your test results will be consistent in comparing groups

[dustoffer]

I spent 6 years doing custom accuracy workups for folks--and helping my local gunsmith at the same time. I started first with changing the amount of powder, but then I read on a website that OAL was the most critical, and their process was to do as Cajun Blake does--start out with bullet kissing the lands, and go from there. I picked a powder charge about 2% below max, and loaded 3 rounds kissing, 3 rounds .010 off, 3 .020 off, and 3 .030 off the lands. Go to range, shoot, using a good front rest (not that orange POS) and good back rest, not off the truck hood. Compare groups--usually you can see improvement and maybe need to go back and do .040 and .050 off. I pick the best OAL based on group, go back and do 3 more of that length, plus .005 longer, and .005 shorter, and back to the range. If you haven't gotten good results at this point--change bullets, change powder, but both, and repeat the process.

And, start with new brass, after an accuracy prep-meaning tumble clean, FL resize, trim to length, chamfer and de-burr case mouth, square primer pocket, and ream/de-burr all flash holes.

Don't shoot fast, at lease 2 minutes between shots so the barrel doesn't get overheated.

Start with a clean barrel, one that has had the copper fouling cleaned out (I use Sweet's).

Good luck--and maybe you did get lucky with the first setup. If so, and the accuracy is acceptable to you and the cartridges work through your mag and action, you are good to go.

[Tommyh]

If you are working in a magazine type system, OAL will depend on how much you can squeek into the mag before the projectile will interfere with the wall regardless of chamber dimensions. another caveat.

[Buckwheat]

IMO it's important for your best accuracy. I have a Sako forester in .243. Can put five shoots @ 100yds under a dime. It loves to be .024 off the lands. Any thing +\- you can see the
Group open up. I couldn't be leave it. I got the rifle from my grandpa and he told me what she
Liked. I didn't think it would matter. But it does.

But like Cajun Blake and dustoffer said. Play with it till you find her sweet spot.

[Saltgrass Mikerr]

and you want to get better groups than THAT ??? Wow.

[SCREAMINREELS]

and you want to get better groups than THAT ??? Wow.

If possible yes...its a sickness. Wont know what its capable of untik I go further out plan on being my 600 yard gun

I got lucky I guess this is a stock remington no gunsmith work other than I changed the trigger and has the hogue stock everyone hates...shoots a little over an inch at 200 with my hunting loads bit decided to turn it into my paper gun and running better bullets in it. My 243 shoots much worse but is plenty accurayw for hunting

[GarGuy]

If possible yes...its a sickness. Wont know what its capable of untik I go further out plan on being my 600 yard gun

I got lucky I guess this is a stock remington no gunsmith work other than I changed the trigger and has the hogue stock everyone hates...shoots a little over an inch at 200 with my hunting loads bit decided to turn it into my paper gun and running better bullets in it. My 243 shoots much worse but is plenty accurayw for hunting

You didnt get lucky. Remington 700s are very good. Sometimes they have a bad pressure point at the front lug but a good bedding job will fix her up. I shoot a 700bdl .280 and shoot 5 shot groups that the base of the hull will cover.

Cajun Blake gave you great advice about starting off with the bullet kissing the lands and starting lower on powder charge.

If you have a maxed out load now and lengthen the bullet to kiss the lands, you may end up with too much pressure. Follow Blakes formula and you will be pleased.