Of all the parameters that must be met when reloading, what do you think is most important?

[GrayRyder]

When we reload, we have to ensure that we meet several parameters. We have to make sure the charge weight is correct. We have to ensure we're using the correct primer and powder. We have to ensure that the OAL or, in my case the BTO (base to ogive) is precise. We have to make sure the jump is just right. There are probably more I haven't thought of - but of all the different variables that go into a good load, which one do you think is most impactful to a good load.

thanks in advan e.

 

[Kaldor]

Honestly? Neck tension and case prep on good quality brass followed closely by accurate powder charges.

 

[OREGUN]

Weight sorting primers followed by primer seating depth as a close second.

 

[Schütze]

Consistency.

More difficult to achieve than one thinks.

 

[R_A_W]

Pretty much everything is important imo

Except what press you use

 

[TylerN]

Powder charge, for safety but not accuracy.

 

[918v]

They’re all equally important for accuracy.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

Knowing the difference between between your pistol powder and rifle powder. IYKYK

 

[TBK]

Adding powder before seating the bullet. Had my first squib today.

 

[OREGUN]

Seriously though, neck tension, is so far above all the rest it’s really the only thing that matters if the rest of your process is even remotely consistent.

 

[WeR0206]

When we reload, we have to ensure that we meet several parameters. We have to make sure the charge weight is correct. We have to ensure we're using the correct primer and powder. We have to ensure that the OAL or, in my case the BTO (base to ogive) is precise. We have to make sure the jump is just right. There are probably more I haven't thought of - but of all the different variables that go into a good load, which one do you think is most impactful to a good load.

thanks in advan e.

Little Crow Gunworks recently did a video where he discusses this and I tend to agree with most of it, here’s the video



TLDR:

 

[db2000]

Sobriety. Don’t drink and reload. The MADR and MADDR are fucking relentless.

 

[Bacarrat]

Pretty much everything is important imo

Except what press you use

Lies, people tell me all the time that I need a 1200 dollar press to make good ammo.

 

[PB&J.]

The above posted graph just about says it all.
A good load is about cartridge and component selection and then consistency of the values you load to, rather than the actual values themselves.

 

[db2000]

Lies, people tell me all the time that I need a 1200 dollar press to make good ammo.

Hornady Lock n Load. Single digit SD’s and 1/2 MOA with the included cheap digital scale and trickler. That being said, I did get a AT V4 for speed and convenience. 1000% worth the money IMO. Haven’t gained accuracy or stats other than speed.

 

[TBK]

Hornady Lock n Load. Single digit SD’s and 1/2 MOA with the included cheap digital scale and trickler. That being said, I did get a AT V4 for speed and convenience. 1000% worth the money IMO. Haven’t gained accuracy or stats other than speed.

Yup. I tested a batch yesterday loaded up on my old Hornady single stage press. I used AI to recommend a load for my components. I had a box of 50 new Hornady cases and Hornady ELD Match 147gr bullets. (6.5CR) Since the brass was new, I did not want to spend time working up a load. Yesterday was more about getting proficient with my new build.

AI said that SH recommends 41.5gr of H4350. First batch of 10 had an SD of 4.4 and second batch of 40 was 8.7. I was a happy camper.

I agree with you, a better powder drop will be faster. My gen1 chargemaster overthrows a third of the time. I am also looking at turret presses to save time with die setup. My OCD process is giving me decent results. Slow and steady.

 

[rdinak]

Some cartridges are the easy button for loading. .308 is easy. .243 makes me work a lot harder to get the same level of accuracy.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

Good hair. You may shoot like shit but at least your hair is awesome.

 

[Lwood]

Well, shit. I'm done then. Those days are gone.

 

[sheepdog697]

Little Crow Gunworks recently did a video where he discusses this and I tend to agree with most of it, here’s the video



TLDR:
View attachment 8674572

This was an interesting video. Definitely not what i would have thought... I also got to learn about 6ppc lol

 

[diggler1833]

Good hair. You may shoot like shit but at least your hair is awesome.

My groups are like my follicle count... in the twos.

 

[BobinNC]

Things I think about before starting a load: And yes they are all important.

Correct powder & charge weights, loaded from below and worked up.
Correct Primer for the case & task.
Correct Bullet for the application & ranges that I have in mind. For example: Target bullets for targets and hunting bullets for hunting, and cheap bullets for plinking.
Correct consistent bullet seating. For example: If using a repeater does the load fit in the magazine and/or fit without jamming in the lands and still keeping at least one bullet diameter of bearing surface inside the case.
Accuracy and velocity goals come later after testing initial workups and inspecting brass & primers for pressure.
I use the OCW method along with a Chrono. BTW.


Things I don't think about when starting a load:

Somebody else's "pet load". I let the workup hint to my "pet" load in my rifle.
What a book says is the MAX COAL. My rifle and magazine will tell me.
While on this subject, when testing different COAL, they are always lower in COAL than what I started with.
What a book says is a MAX load. I let my rifle tell me what is and what isn't MAX. It may be lower or higher than what the "book" recommends.

 

[CK1.0]

I think consistent neck tension and maybe a few other things matter a lot… but IDK if I’ve observed anything be as impactful as having every powder charge the same (down to within the nearest kernel).