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Rank the Importance of these

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garyalarson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote garyalarson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Rank the Importance of these
    Posted: June/10/2013 at 12:38
Fellow metallic reloaders, just to start some discussion I'd like to get you to simply rank #1-4 the impact of quality components on accuracy from the following list:
  • Primers
  • Bullets
  • Powders
  • Brass

I know they are all important, and don't give the weak response that "they are all equal." I'd like you guys to say what your #1, #2, #3, and #4 are.

Sound off ladies and gentlemen.
 
I'm very new to reloading (100 rounds) and my list is just a stab in the dark to get the discussion started.
  1. Bullets
  2. Powder
  3. Brass
  4. Primers
Sound off ladies and gentlemen.
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SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 12:48
#1 -   Bullets (matching bullet type for purpose)
#2 - Brass (uniformity)
#3 - Powder (proper powder for your gun, what does it shoot best)
#4 Primers ( I've used several different brands and notice no detrimental effect on accuracy, only slight variations in FPS)
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 12:50
I would say

1. Bullets
2. Brass (quality brass and properly prepped, it can make a huge difference)
3. Powder
4 . Primer

I have had good luck with my rifles liking the powder I choose.  So my number 2 may not be the norm.
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BeltFed View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 13:15
I think it depends on the gun, as some have been more finicky about certain components than others. I have seen groups shrink substantially just by changing one component other than the bullet. Usually it is either the powder or the brass, but primers also make an important difference.
In general, I would rank it:
1.Bullet
2.Powder
3.Brass
4.Primer
Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 15:53
The most important part is You. The attention to detail and good record keeping to know where you have been with your accuracy, and the direction your are going.
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mtmander View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mtmander Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 16:34
My input;
 
#1 -  Brass (I do the prep work and am responsible for the uniformity)
#2 -  Bullets (I can do try several until I find the best one for my rifle)
#3 -  Powder ( " ) 
#4  - Primers ( " )
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Sgt. D View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 17:07
Generally I look at the powder first. Either because it is something I am already using for another rifle or because the ballistics shows the better performance to grain ratio. Or to get the velocity I want. Then I look at what I want the bullet to do. Meaning I decide what grain will fit the goal. Then bullet make/brand and style (fmj,hp,rn). Like you mentioned in your last post, I may buy 3 or 4 different brands (berger, sierra, speer, barnes) to see what the rifle likes the best. I've used Winchester brass since I started and am content to stick with it. I also prefer Winchester primers but these days you use what you can get. I've used CCI and Federal with no complaints. If I'm loading for ultimate accuracy I will pick thru the brass for case length and condition uniformity. And like was said earlier, your discipline or the lack of will show up in the end. Not saying your not disciplined but reinforcing its value. I usually do my case prep and priming completely separate from measuring powder because to me the most accurate measure of powder is where consistent accuracy lies. Good Loadin!!
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Welcome to the OT!!
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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 17:39
Bullets (and seating depth), powder, brass and primers.
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Mike McDonald View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike McDonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 19:27
#1 Brass, Bullets

#2 Powder, Primers

I didn't see #3 or 4    http://www.opticstalk.com/smileys/Hello.gif

Brass has to be consistent or the powder and primers won't really matter.

Bullets determine the powder and the rifle determines the primers.
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stickbow46 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 21:39
Clean & resize brass
Install primers
Powder decision
Bullet & seating
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Alan Robertson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/10/2013 at 23:07
1) Bullet
2) Brass
3) Powder
4) Primer
 #1 and #2 are almost equal...
Why?
1) Bullet weight must match rifle twist rate and be consistent build quality, weight, etc.
e.g. bought some milsurp .308 pulls that wouldn't shoot- found them to be eccentric diameter, ran them through a cheap swage- resolved.
2) e.g. civvie vs. milspec .308 brass- different internal capacity- vertical stringing at target.
3) Correct charge weight is greater factor than powder variety, when finding a barrel's vibrational accurate node(s). Typically, the powder that fills closest to 100% case capacity at an "accuracy node" will be the best powder for a load. Some mfg's just seem to make consistently accurate powders (VihtaVuouri)... might be a case of holding mouth just right with high- dollar muzzle blast.
4) If you, shooting your rifle and best load are good enough to tell the difference in primers, then stick with what works best.
"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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