Ammo accuracy handloads VS factory

[Bill92869]

Took the brand spanking new OLL build up, Stag 16" upper with Stag lower, to the range for a test fire and sighting-in session. Shot some rounds so she would settle down and show some consistancy. Then this is what I found:

1) Remington factory 55gr FMJ shot 2inch groups (btw all groups shot with open sights).

2) Remington factory 45 gr HP shot 1 1/2.

3) My hand load 55gr FMJ bulk bullets with 25.5 grs BLC-2 1 inch group

4) My hand load 55gr SP Hornady bullets with 26.5 grs BLC-2 1 1/2 inch group, but shooting low and to the left about an inch.

My question to fellow shooters is: what are you finding with your handloads vs factory or military loads? I suspect that hand loads may be inherently more accurate, but by how much? and do you get groups that have a different POI (both verticle and horizontal), if so, what bullets (lighter ones, heavier ones, etc.)? I wish I would have had a scope on hand for this session, but did not. With open sights, and my old eyes, group size is sure to suffer.

[ar15barrels]

It would be pretty normal to have better accuracy with handloads because you have the ability to tune the loads to the rifle.

You neglected to mention the distance you shot the groups at.
Can we assume 50 yards?

If so, 1" at 50 yards is not too bad for iron sights and old eyes.

[rksimple]

If you truely work up a load based on what the rifle likes and what you want to achieve, handloads will always be more accurate. If you just throw the cartridges together, you may get lucky and have it be more accurate...but it should hover around factory accuracy...all else equal.

[big jon]

[Bill92869]

Randall, yes at 50 yards.

Big Jon, they say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. You proved it.

[Fjold]

I guess I'll have to buy some factory loads just to see. I haven't bought a factory centerfire rifle round in over 15 years.

[Prc329]

I'll conduct that experiment in about 2 weeks. I'll take some 168g federal gold medal match and some handloads of 168g and see which is more accurate. Just for my curiosity.

[ar15barrels]

I haven't bought a factory centerfire rifle round in over 15 years.

Do you consider shotshells as centerfire?
If so, then I buy centerfire ammo.
I not, then the only factory centerfire ammo I ever buy is for test firing barrels when someone asks me to develop the gas system for a specific factory load.

For personal consumption, it's handloads all the way.

[rksimple]

Randall, yes at 50 yards.

Big Jon, they say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. You proved it.

But that isn't necessarily a straight across comparison (no offense). Using cheap milsurp ammo and comparing it to handloads with match bullets isn't the best way to look at things. I loaded cheap 147gr bulk bullets and shot those side by side with milsurp, and they shot about the same... 4 inch groups @ 100. Thats due to the quality (or lack thereof) of the components used. I've shot BH match ammo side by side with my match reloads, and the reloads edged out the BH by less than half an inch. When your shooting sub MOA with factory match ammo, the improvement you see by handloading isn't as extreme as the picture depicts.

[ar15barrels]

When your shooting sub MOA with factory match ammo, the improvement you see by handloading isn't as extreme as the picture depicts.

Ah, but the actual cost to shoot handloads with match bullets and surplus ammo like in the picture is almost the same so it makes sense that someone who would prefer the accuracy pictured on the right might choose to handload instead of buying the ammo on the left.

[rksimple]

Ah, but the actual cost to shoot handloads with match bullets and surplus ammo like in the picture is almost the same so it makes sense that someone who would prefer the accuracy pictured on the right might choose to handload instead of buying the ammo on the left.

Well, if you want to get technical, the poster is the same one who found it barely worthwhile to reload 223. You told him something about overpaying for components. So for him, the milsurp on the left will be cheaper...

I'm just givin' ya'll a hard time. Reloading is, by far, the best way to go. It allows so much freedom in deciding what you want to shoot. From mousefart cast loads to full power, "holy crap I think that primer just blew where'd my extractor go" loads. Like they say, you never save money reloading...you just shoot much more.

[ar15barrels]

Like they say, you never save money reloading...
you just shoot much more.

Amen to that.
I could never afford to shoot 1/4 as much as I do if I were buying factory ammo.

[Fjold]

Do you consider shotshells as centerfire?
If so, then I buy centerfire ammo.
I not, then the only factory centerfire ammo I ever buy is for test firing barrels when someone asks me to develop the gas system for a specific factory load.

For personal consumption, it's handloads all the way.

Nope, that's why I said "centerfire rifle cartridge".

I counted last night. I have 9 rifles that have never had a factory loaded round shot through them.

[CAT_101]

My OLL has only seen 10Rnds of factory ammo whin I test fired it befor I bought it.