factory ammo vs. handloads

[jaymark6655]

Not that suprised.  I found about the same thing when I ripped apart some Fusions, and I thought that was a pretty high end round considering what they cost.  I just took the average and loaded the powder back in, improved the grouping I was getting with that round, but convinced me that I never need to shoot a factory load again unless I want some brass.

[BULLBLASTER]

Google and look at images of peoples ladder testing groups. Sometimes a 1 grain difference won't make any.difference at 300+ yards and other times it could be multiple moa. Think of it like a bell curve. If you are toward the center of what the barrel likes it will be real close but get too far off and things change.drastically.

[Bean Counter]

Major John Plaster noted in his book "The Ultimate Sniper" that Federal has the most consistent ranges. I would be curious about your experiment results if you pulled apart what I shoot: the cheap blue box Power Shoks. I get 1" moa out of my gun and for keeping it to 300 yards or less I don't see any reason to invest in a reloading setup when I can buy the stuff for <$1 a round. 

[grundy53]

Glad I started reloading.

[kentrek]

Major John Plaster noted in his book "The Ultimate Sniper" that Federal has the most consistent ranges. I would be curious about your experiment results if you pulled apart what I shoot: the cheap blue box Power Shoks. I get 1" moa out of my gun and for keeping it to 300 yards or less I don't see any reason to invest in a reloading setup when I can buy the stuff for <$1 a round.

i played with the cheap blue box before..i got moa groups but constancy from box to box was no good...i was shooting 6 inch groups at 500 pretty easy (i was very happy at the time with that)..bear seeason came around,went a bought a fresh box,found bear at 476...easy shot...miss.. took same box bake to range an was 10-15 inches high at 500..
but like you said your going 300 or less..pretty hard to have serous deviations with in 300

[Bean Counter]

Yep, I bought my rifle used, so I have no idea how worn the rifling inside the barrel is. I have no idea what the twist is. I could probably stand to do a trigger job to make it nicer and more smooth. Until I do all those things it doesn't make sense to up the ante with more precise ammo. Still though, after stalking animals with a bow to within 40 yards I like to make myself get to at most 300 yards for a shot. Just my  More power to ya if you like shooting 'em at 475 

[motg9_6]

i dont think there are many on here that would disagree that reloaded ammo is better than factory especially for long range stuff, but it seems i always here the question when talking reloading of just how accurate and precise is my factory ammo is. i could make the factory core-lokt ammo better just by dumping the powder out and actually putting a consistant charge of the same powder back in. i have a box of federal 150 grn im going to pull next. i will post the results from all 20 on here when i do.

[BULLBLASTER]

There can also be significant differences in the same product between different production lots. Even in reloading components such as brass spowder and bullets. The factory ammo you buy today most likely won't be the exact same as the same brand and model a year from now.