Load Development vs Stock Replacement

[Mike McBride]

I'm new to precision shooting. For decades, if it would whack a deer within 200 yards it was good enough. Just bought a new 700 SPS and SWFA optics. I understand that SPS is short for Shitty Plastic Stock, and better accuracy will come with a more substantial frame. I need to hang around some matches to see what I want my cheek against.
As is; it shoots at or just over 1 MOA with cheap ammunition, making it my most accurate smokepole. I assumed serious load development would need to wait until the rig is complete, but happenned across a couple of excellent articles by Dan Newberry and Chris Long leading me to believe the optimum load may be independent of the stock.
Does anyone have experience with working up a load, then changing the stock?

 

[308sako]

Re: Load Development vs Stock Replacement

xxx

 

[30SMK]

Re: Load Development vs Stock Replacement

I agree with 308sako in part, I think that if you tuned a load to the harmonics of your rifle you should easily get 1/2MOA or better with good match bullets. Now that is what the rifle can do and I believe that a stock helps with utilizing what the shooter can do. I think a lot of it is being comfortable with what you shoot and a good quality stock that fits the shooter can help shrink groups because the shooter will feel more confident and better adjusted for shooting.

I think if you can't afford something or want to test drive a few before you make the purchase that is a good call. Get some better ammo FGMM or perform a ladder test and find the accuracy nodes for your setup.

Good Luck

 

[Mike McBride]

Re: Load Development vs Stock Replacement

Thank you gentlemen,

I believe I will hold off on the stock until I am sure of what I want and look into competetion dies, bullet comparators, and some of those other toys I have read about but never needed. I have reloaded for a long time, but just for the $ (and more recently availability) sake. Now it is time to handload.