Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

what to expect-custom

Mr Gee
ok you step up to a custom bench gun your looking to more accurate say we're looking for group size..you found good commercial bullets off the shelf that shoot real well but there is still room to be better ... your ready to buy a match quality custom made bullet an pay the premium price they'll go for..

the question is how critical would you be with consistency of measurement.. like weight, base to ogive an pressure ring .. would you be expecting to find all perfect bullets or with some measurement spreads.. if so.. how much is except able.. or maybe non ?
this is before actual loading/shooting the bullet.. so its not from accuracy point 'yet'..its whether will you keep an load " If "
0

Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • nononsense
    Mr Gee,

    This is a short answer to a question(s) that has dominated 10's of thousands of words written by all of those folks interested in accuracy.

    First of all, small groups are not achieved simply by switching bullets. Accuracy and consistency are based on a combination of factors centered around the shooter, the rifle, the scope, the ammunition and the conditions. Unfortunately, the shooter is the biggest variable and the most inconsistent of all.

    Secondly, there are good barrels, bad barrels and GREAT barrels which are sometimes referred to as Hummers. Not all barrels are created equal even within the same manufacturing facility. The little nuances that make up a barrel are often never the same so the barrels themselves perform with slight differences.

    To the point about your original questions though:

    Bullets have the same problems, they vary because of small nuances based on the material they are crafted from and the manufacturing processes themselves. Not all jackets are the exact same dimensionally for thickness. The extruded lead cores can be off so very slightly. The pressure used to combine the core with the cup will have small variations. On and On...

    What does this mean for the accuracy shooter and consistency?

    Sorting, plain and simple. We sort everything that is potentially sortable where it might make a substantial difference in our overall performance. However, the degree to which we sort is up to the sensibilities of the shooter. If we sort too tight of a spread then we get too many small batches of bullets. If we sort too broadly, then we might not eliminate those bullets at either end of the spread that could have an ill effect on the group size.

    I don't want to get into the deeper math of this process but suffice it to say that we're looking for a statistical analysis of the batch of bullets using the variables as discriminators. You get to choose the variables which are most important to you and your style of shooting. Sometimes the variables form a relationship to each other which can eliminate having to perform several independent sorts. The end result though is the biggest batch of bullets which perform at the level you require.

    Bullets Sorted By Bearing Surface Length

    bulletssortingbybearing.jpg

    Some folks sort by 1% while other resort to a more tedious 1/2% of any measurement. Lengths usually get sorted by 0.001", letting the overall quality of the manufacturing determine how big each group is. Very consistent manufacturing might benefit from 0.001", while lesser makers might need 0.005" to keep the size of the groups manageable.

    I used to sort by bearing surface. But if I'm shooting Lapua bullets, I rarely if ever bother to sort at all. They are releasing bullets now which are extremely consistent, negating the need for all the front end work. Look up Lapua bullets to see their new stamp used on the base of the bullet to signify this new standard.

    Repeatable consistency is the key. Keep the case necks true, the tension consistent, the bullets straight and the load weight consistent. Then all you have to worry about are the atmospheric conditions and you, the shooter. We are still the biggest variable...

    Best.
    0
  • Mr Gee
    noneonsense
    thank for a great reply .. i can see i really knew most of my own question but you brought to light a lot clearer..
    the variables seem endless when you put them all together i plain sight as you have done..
    it will still leave that qestion is this a waste of time an componets but mostly barrel life.. so you deal with it like everyone has done before you... only one way to find out If its going to work is to 'try it'
    thanks agan for a great reply
    0
  • zimmden
    With a custom bench gun what kind of accuracy of 100 yard groups can you expect ? If you carefully do all the case preparation and testing of proper seating depth and powders you should expect premium custom bullets to all be very consistent right out of the box. These custom bullets are 50 to 75% more than most commercial bullets. They all shoot much better in my 2 inexpensive used semi-custom and 1 factory rifle. With these guns I have shot 1/8 MOA 100yd groups with Berger, Fowler and Barts bullets without sorting. As long as most of the other variables of reloading are eliminated, these premium bullets should work well.
    0
  • 1KYDSTR
    Zimmden...what cartridge are you shooting to get that 1/8th minute performance? Inquiring minds want to know?!
    0
  • zimmden
    All 3 are 6PPC's. I use all benchrest techniques that I can think of while reloading along with a very good front and rear rest off of a cement bench top. I use 1 wind flag and try to shoot only when the winds are under 10 mph. My "knowledge" was gleaned from reading every benchrest article written over the past 20 years but I've only shot these guns for 4 years. I try to test every variable and keep detailed records. I also have a 22BR in a Ruger 77 that has shot 1/8MOA but not as consistently (probably me). All of these guns are shot with a 36X target scope. As we know accuracy is a system of at least 20 variables. Only by refining each variable can top accuracy be achieved which requires a lot of time and effort. The 2 most beneficial techniques I use is to seat the bullet into or near the lands and neck turning the brass to achieve near perfect concentricity and fit to chamber. What do others consider the most important elements of reloading ??
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity