I haven't seen a thread on this subject all at one time. Most of you talk about one or the other loads, powders or bullets etc.
From reading Lymans 48 Edition Reload Hanbook and Precision Handloading Shoot Guide the are 3 basic factors that are key's.
"Consistency, Compatability and Concentricity".
#1. Consistency is all ammo must be exactly the same the more accurate is likely to be.
#2. Compatiblity is no two rifles are the same and may prefer difference in bullets, powder, charge weight, seating depth and even primers.
#3. Concentricity is all basic ammo is round and chambers/barrels are round. In other words the less runout there is the better. (from .001 to .002 is best with .002 - .004 okay) Simply said if you draw a straight line from the cartridge thru the barrel center all should be perfectly straight.
This all said now. I have worked up several bullets, Noslers 150 BT & AB 150 Hornady SST's and BTSP's with at least 3 different powders, IMR 4064 , IMR 4350, H 4350 all using WLR primers. Care was given to case lenght primer pocket cleanlyness and primer seating. All bullets were seated as per OAL listed in the loading manuals. I haven't yet experimented with loading to .010 off of the lands. I have on the way a RCBS concentricity gage to check each brass case, also getting a Lyman outside brass turning tools.
This is a picture of two bullets that are touching the lands/rifling.
I measured each and subtracted difference so I can load some to try.
Hornady BTSP, I have 0.090 to play with in seating
Hornady SST's, I have .120 to play with in seating
Noslers BT's same as Horn SST
From reading Lymans 48 Edition Reload Hanbook and Precision Handloading Shoot Guide the are 3 basic factors that are key's.
"Consistency, Compatability and Concentricity".
#1. Consistency is all ammo must be exactly the same the more accurate is likely to be.
#2. Compatiblity is no two rifles are the same and may prefer difference in bullets, powder, charge weight, seating depth and even primers.
#3. Concentricity is all basic ammo is round and chambers/barrels are round. In other words the less runout there is the better. (from .001 to .002 is best with .002 - .004 okay) Simply said if you draw a straight line from the cartridge thru the barrel center all should be perfectly straight.
This all said now. I have worked up several bullets, Noslers 150 BT & AB 150 Hornady SST's and BTSP's with at least 3 different powders, IMR 4064 , IMR 4350, H 4350 all using WLR primers. Care was given to case lenght primer pocket cleanlyness and primer seating. All bullets were seated as per OAL listed in the loading manuals. I haven't yet experimented with loading to .010 off of the lands. I have on the way a RCBS concentricity gage to check each brass case, also getting a Lyman outside brass turning tools.
This is a picture of two bullets that are touching the lands/rifling.
I measured each and subtracted difference so I can load some to try.
Hornady BTSP, I have 0.090 to play with in seating
Hornady SST's, I have .120 to play with in seating
Noslers BT's same as Horn SST