There is nothing stopping you from getting your own reamer and getting custom dies made. Most smiths ask you which bullet you plan on using so they can throat it accordingly.
Tips for Benchrest accuracy from PRS style rifle
- Thread starter tsonda
- Start date
I would argue a ton across the board. From annealing, to cartridges with steep shoulders (ala PPC), to bull barrels, to focusing on concentricity, etc., etc., almost everything came from the BR world in order to wring out the last possible millimeter of precision. I think that without them our rifles and ammunition would not be what they are today.
That said, the ethos of taking the human out of it is the exact opposite of our ethos. Our training has evolved, and Frank is making this point all the time. Does it not make sense that the innovations in equipment have largely come from the place where the equipment is everything?
JESUS THISBuy a chronograph. IMO you should develop your load first by chronograph, then by accuracy of the load.
Why you may ask? But OCW...but ladder test...but...but...
You could have a quarter minute group at 100yds, if your SD is 30 and ES is 60 your consistency downrange at 600-1k is going to start being a problem. Particularly on a benchrest type target rather than a big steel target that can eat up some of the velocity error.
Start with a load that looks good on the Chrono, then see if you like the group size. If you subscribe to the whole barrel timing theory with ladders and OCW where we want the bullet to exit the muzzle while the vibration wave in the barrel is farthest away this should resonate.
If the bullet exits as the shockwave is present at the muzzle, so the theory goes, you get poor accuracy as the muzzle is vibrating on bullet exit.
I don't believe, absent a mechanical issue with the chambering job, barrel material, etc. that it's possible to achieve a consistent, low SD/ES load that doesn't shoot well. Consistency begets a tight shooting rifle.
Now if the chamber isn't concentric and bullets are jumping into the bore at angles or your crown is fucked up sure, but soley on the basis of the load, consistency matters.
Think about OCW tests. You're looking for bullet impacts on target with low vertical dispersion. What's the primary cause of vertical dispersion? At distance, it's variance in muzzle velocity.
I'm not saying don't check for accuracy, I've worked up a consistent load on Chrono that wouldn't group well. It was a factory Remington barrel. Shit chamber job. Rebarreled and had the action worked on, now it's a hammer.
The point is, don't waste time on group size at 100yds only to realize later your SD/ES suck and you're starting over.
Edited to add annealing is a waste of time and money unless you're well over ten reloads on the brass.
I had the damnedest explaining to someone why a certain load from hornady sucked at 500 even though the groups were ragged holes at 100. the load had an ES of 100 and an SD of 40! and the load (6.5 CM 120gr.) was as fast as the 140s, but lighter so the wind beat them up. I couldn't figure out why we were over and under a target at 500 without changing the hold. then we got it over a chronograph and the reason was clear.
Light Gun in IBS is 17 pounds. F-Class Open weight limit is 22 lbs, F Class T/R is ~18 lbs.
Seems like PRS shooters are running heavier rifles than this. A good front rest and rear bag is important but you are severely downplaying how important the reloading techniques are if all you think is necessary is a front rest, rear bag and 2 oz trigger.
Apologies. Did not mean to start a controversy. My skepticism of BR loading techniques is not warranted. They shoot the smallest groups on planet earth.
To better phrase my question, which i should have been more clear about: WHAT aspect of BR loading techniques carry over into what we do, shooting prone, at steel or paper targets, at distances between 500 and 1,500 yards, using rifles in chassis systems with a bipod and a rear bag, with standard SAAMI chambers. [What BR tricks become irrelevant in this scneraio? Does neck turning still matter if you are not running a tight neck chamber? Where do we draw the line and go no deeper down the endless rabbit hole?]
Actually, some of the world record BR long range groups were shot with a no-turn standard 6BRA. Same thing that lots and lots of PRS shooters are using this year.
I think the thing that sets the BR shooters apart is meticulous testing and tuning to find just the right load. The other is that they are using boutique custom made bullets that are much more consistent than the average Berger or whatever bullet.
That being said, I think Keith Baker shot a 5 round 0.7" group at 1000 yards in testing earlier this year. Done with his match gun, 6 Dasher with 105 hybrids if I recall correctly. Would have been a benchrest world record if it had been done in a BR competition.
I neck turn because I like to use cheap brass that I neck up.
Personally I think the biggest thing is consistent of their bag system and meticulous testing and planning of the whole combo.
Look what solid fundamentals and testing and planning does for the rifles popular here.
I’ve met a few hardcore BR types.
Uber OCD engineers that make our supposedly OCD people here look like stoned hamsters are common.
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OK, took the advice and ordered Tony Boyer’s book. Just started reading it, and it looks very comprehensive! Thanks for the advice.
I have worked through Mr. Glen Zediker’s book once, but found it a hard slog. Maybe i should have another go at it once i finish Tony’s book. Lot’s to learn....
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