Most important steps in creating accurate ammo?

[kdsd731]

I am curious what the general consensus is for all you bench shooters as to what you consider the most important steps in creating accurate ammo. So maybe make a list of what things are most crucial to least crucial (Not the order in which you perform these in, but the order that makes the biggest impact on accuracy).

[SBsasquatch]

Repeatability and consistency

[SWalt]

There are a number of things, I'll just throw out 1. Consistent exact charge weight.

[milotrain]

Consistent charge weight
Seating depth
Neck tension
Neck to chamber clearance
Case capacity consistency
Lowest necessary primer energy

[45R]

Consistent brass prep

[SWalt]

Consistent brass prep

As well as brass from the same lot, manufacturer and same weight.

[Cujo]

Saving the beer until AFTER you're done.

[TomReloaded]

For pistols at close range, only consistent charge seems to matter. For rifles, consistent and appropriate charge seem to matter most, with all the prep steps just shrinking the group even more. Sorting brass hasnt helped my groups too much.

[maxx03]

Charge weight.
Bullet Weight.
Case Capacity.(Weight)

[waveslayer]

Consistent charge weight
Seating depth
Neck tension
Neck to chamber clearance
Case capacity consistency
Lowest necessary primer energy

+1

Weighing cases will not improve accuracy... lots of info on that at the bench rest sites. I have done experiments on it too... no improvement

[SWalt]

+1

Weighing cases will not improve accuracy... lots of info on that at the bench rest sites. I have done experiments on it too... no improvement

If true, I would still weigh as well as keep same manufacturer/lot. Just to have every round as consistent as possible. Its just 1 more thing eliminated and not needed to be look at. Just a personal preference. Then I can put the blame for poor accuracy on the usual suspect......ME.

[JMP]

I'd agree with what everyone has said, but that should all go without saying. One thing to not overlook is your dies as that is what dictates the form of your brass. It's hard to load accurately if you have cheapo dies from Walmart.

But, honestly, most folks should just get out and shoot more. The biggest flaw I see is too much time reloading and not enough time shooting. You reload in order to shoot; you do not shoot in order to reload.

[milotrain]

But, honestly, most folks should just get out and shoot more. The biggest flaw I see is too much time reloading and not enough time shooting.

This can not be overstated. Everyone want's the silver bullet to accuracy, they want "the rifle", "the ammo", "the scope" that will make them shoot accurately. There is no such thing.

Trigger time trumps all.

[CK_32]

Consistency.

[CK_32]

This can not be overstated. Everyone want's the silver bullet to accuracy, they want "the rifle", "the ammo", "the scope" that will make them shoot accurately. There is no such thing.

Trigger time trumps all.

I agree. That's why I find a decent node and go.

I hardly have the skill sets to find tune a quality node. No reason to try and tweak a sub MOA group to shoot .3" group, if you can't even shoot sub MOA to begin with lol