Do I spend my money on new match barrel or reloading

[Groberds]

So, I'm in a delima. Latley Iv been getting more into the PRS/F class type shooting and have been shooting factory ammo with a factory barrel. Rifle is a 700 with a 1:12 twist. Problem is, I don't know if I should get a new barrel or to start up reloading. I ask this because of the "1:2 MOA guarantee " a lot of top smiths promise with factory ammo, that comes along with a top of the line barrel. If this holds water then that's the best route for me givin I can't shoot better than 1/2 MOA anyways. Or, would I be better reloading with a factory barrel. This particular barrel can shoot 1/2 with FGMM 175. Other factory match ammo I have shot can range from 1/2 inch to over 1.5 inches. What would you do? I can't afford both.

 

[AuburnBLK]

Hands down - Invest in reloading.

And continue to develop your trigger skills. Pretty sure after having and doing both for awhile now... my finger still isn't 1/2 moa

 

[spife7980]

When you can reload for half the price of factory ammo youll become a better marksman because you can shoot twice as much. Sure you have to invest in the equipment to do so and if youre going for a full on accounting it might take a couple thousand shots to make it up depending on how deeply you jump into it but those will be a few thousand shots tailored to your rifles particular tastes and from then on out your gonna save money.

If youre not sure youll still be shooting in a year I would maybe just rebarrel or if youll only shoot a hundred per year reloading wont be worth it. But if you feel like youre going to be into the hobby for the long haul its a great time to learn the other half of the equation.

Edit: not to mention that youll probably end up doing both eventually, by reloading you can go for a more exotic caliber that isnt on every shelf at walmart for the new barrel if you so wanted.

 

[Groberds]

When you can reload for half the price of factory ammo youll become a better marksman because you can shoot twice as much. Sure you have to invest in the equipment to do so and if youre going for a full on accounting it might take a couple thousand shots to make it up depending on how deeply you jump into it but those will be a few thousand shots tailored to your rifles particular tastes and from then on out your gonna save money.

If youre not sure youll still be shooting in a year I would maybe just rebarrel or if youll only shoot a hundred per year reloading wont be worth it. But if you feel like youre going to be into the hobby for the long haul its a great time to learn the other half of the equation. [/QUOTE




I love shooting and will do so for a while. What it came down to for me was the insane inconsistency with factory match ammo. Example, today I went to the range with a box of 175g FGMM, 155g TMK and the hornady 168 ELD match. Between the three boxes one would shoot 1/2 and the other box would open up to 2 inches and 100 yards. Same gun. Maybe this had something to do with the 12 twist barrel? Idk

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Just another opinion here but if your rifle shoots 1/2" at 100 yds then I would do neither, just keep shooting GMM 175 SMK. Sure, reloading certainly will save you money but there's a learning curve to dialing up match quality ammo. If you think you'd enjoy the journey......well ok rock on. No barrel is going to shoot great with all projectile types, unless you specifically see a need for a lighter projectile or different caliber (not based on your expressed requirements anyway) keep shooting those 175's or the other projectiles that have worked with less than 1/2 MOA results. A "better" barrel is not very likely to get you better than 1/2 MOA although if you went to a 6.5 or 6mm variant it could provide better (flatter) performance, depending.

 

[Fursniper]

If your barrel is capable of .5moa and you say it is, then start with reloading. You can always keep shooting the factory stuff while you go through the learning curve. If you're getting into F class and PRS, the reloading is inevitably in your future anyway. This gives you the capability of improving on so many variables that otherwise are pre set and unchangeable with factory ammo, ie, CBTO (seating depth) neck tension, powder load & type of powder, bullet type and so forth. I assume this rifle is a 308 & that particular caliber is relatively easy and forgiving to reload for as well so it's a good round to learn the ropes on. Besides, with reloading, you get two hobbies for the price of one (well, sort of, lol).

 

[RampedRaptor]

Reloading is what really got me interested in shooting long range/precision.

Before reloading I really enjoyed guns and shooting but it was not my life. Post loading my first rounds the book was closed and shooting has evolved into more of a lifestyle.

Go ahead and buy some used reloading gear, make your first rounds (mine were 308, 175gr, varget, win brass, federal primer) and go to the range.

You'll most likely be hooked and find the extra 300 or so bucks to do a remage barrel swap.

 

[Groberds]

Just another opinion here but if your rifle shoots 1/2" at 100 yds then I would do neither, just keep shooting GMM 175 SMK. Sure, reloading certainly will save you money but there's a learning curve to dialing up match quality ammo. If you think you'd enjoy the journey......well ok rock on. No barrel is going to shoot great with all projectile types, unless you specifically see a need for a lighter projectile or different caliber (not based on your expressed requirements anyway) keep shooting those 175's or the other projectiles that have worked with less than 1/2 MOA results. A "better" barrel is not very likely to get you better than 1/2 MOA although if you went to a 6.5 or 6mm variant it could provide better (flatter) performance, depending.

Yes, factory .308, ill continue shooting the 175 GMM, but with MUCH better options in bullets coming out in .308 I don't want to be stuck with using one bullet, unless I rebarrled in 6.5. Plenty folks I know shoot the hornady match ammo with great accuracy