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Posted: 4/14/2017 7:33:44 AM EDT
| Not sure if I'm in the right place but here goes. Picked up a used 6940 a few years ago. Practice with Perfecta mostly, three to four inches at a hundred yards ( off a sandbag ) Tried some Black Hills 77 TMK... wow. Legit 1 to 1.5 at a hundred yards. (Ideal conditions) is it possible to do better with this rifle with a proper worked up load? Never done it, trying to decide if it would be worth the effort. |
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Developing a load for your rifle that's more accurate than quality factory ammo is fairly involved, or at least it would certainly seem like it to someone with no experience.
I'd suggest experimenting with various match quality factory loads before jumping into reloading just for the accuracy. Federal Gold Medal Match would be a good place to start. |
| If you plan on doin a lot of shooting and don't mind the time it takes yes it's definately worth it, especially if you like shooting 77 tmks. Buying lc once fired brass I'm around .55 a round with 77 tmk's, as far as accuracy don't know what a colt barrel is good for but shooting .6 with noveske chf. |
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It'll definitely save you money, but it will cost you time. You have to decide which is more important to you, and how much of either you have.
If you are going to be shooting a lot of ammo in a short amount of time (mag dumps, high rate-of-fire, etc.)....then you're going to spend way more time loading them than you are shooting them. This is why I stopped reloading for my semi-auto pistols. |
| If you have time, go ahead. Your groups may shrink a bit, but depending on the range you're shooting/purpose it may not be worth it. An extra .5-1 inch accuracy for handload at a 100yards is not worth it imo but if you want to reach out to 600 yards it equals 3-6 inches and it might matter. I prefer to buy gold dot 75gr when it's on sale and it shoots 1moa. I'm happy with that. Handloading takes time and an initial investment. |
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Not sure if I'm in the right place but here goes. Picked up a used 6940 a few years ago. Practice with Perfecta mostly, three to four inches at a hundred yards ( off a sandbag ) Tried some Black Hills 77 TMK... wow. Legit 1 to 1.5 at a hundred yards. (Ideal conditions) is it possible to do better with this rifle with a proper worked up load? Never done it, trying to decide if it would be worth the effort. In a word, "yes". Many reasons to do so. There is a general reloading forum here in the Armory section. Check it out for details. |
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Yes you should reload. The previous answers are from mostly non reloaders.
They don't understand how easy it is to best factory loads by just paying attention to the basics. I have no problem getting 10 shot 100 yd groups of 3/4 inch with Match bullets. Posted the pics many times. This with a load that cost half as much a factory "premium" loads. |
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Yes you should reload. The previous answers are from mostly non reloaders. And you know this...how??? They don't understand how easy it is to best factory loads by just paying attention to the basics. I have no problem getting 10 shot 100 yd groups of 3/4 inch with Match bullets. Posted the pics many times. Ha, I got you beat. I got a load that shoots 7/8" at 200 yards. This with a load that cost half as much a factory "premium" loads. |
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There is no greater satisfaction that loading your own ammo that out performs factory fodder. Yes handloads can equal or improve groups from Federal Gold Medal Match and Black Hills ammo. I haven't started saving money yet because i haven't reloaded long enough to surpass the initial investment. I have never seen the true accuracy potential of some of my rifles until i started reloading. This is from my 6.8spc which has never done much better than 1" at 100. 
The flyer shot is actually me shooting there on purpose because i couldn't see the first two hits in the 1/2" black square. 
At this point, i don't even care about the savings or cost. 
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Some people....sheesh. Quoted:
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Yes you should reload. The previous answers are from mostly non reloaders. And you know this...how??? They don't understand how easy it is to best factory loads by just paying attention to the basics. I have no problem getting 10 shot 100 yd groups of 3/4 inch with Match bullets. Posted the pics many times. Ha, I got you beat. I got a load that shoots 7/8" at 200 yards. This with a load that cost half as much a factory "premium" loads. You have just started to post in the reloading forum and are new here. Would love to see your pics on your load. |
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First thing people need to consider. Shooting is a hobby. Hobbies cost money! And, as the saying goes for the most part fish caught fishing or meat from hunting is more expensive then most care to admit if you want to assign value to it.
Guide Fees License Fees Transportation to and from Lodging Food and Beverage Equipment from guns to boats filled with electronic gear Bait Time off from work? A person I used to work with has fancy ski boat. Used about 5 times last summer. The cost of the boat alone could possibly have paid for two Registered Receiver M16s, and in the end you still have the M16's with the boat not so much! On top of that they have have to have SUV to haul the boat. Going hunting.....sheesh fly to Alaska then small plane to camp area then perhaps horseback to the actual hunting area. So people need to quit worrying about payback or slinging the word investment. Simply put it is the cost of extending your hobby! The frustrating part is that people see loading benches filling with equipment. And, are immediately intimidated by that and the potential costs.... Entry level equipment like a RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Kit will last a lifetime. If you have the time to delve into reloading by all means do it! An excuse to expand the man cave! But, do not for one minute expect a return on investment other than a huge smile! |
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If you are even thinking about getting into reloading, start keeping your eyes open for estate sales, gun boards sales, etc...for reloading gear.
A good majority of my gear was used very little and got it for 50 to 75 percent off from new. look for an rcbs rock chucker for $70 or less, get a set of dies, calleper and a scale. You Have the bare bones to get started. Load up twenty rounds and see what the results are. If you buy used you can pretty much sell it for what you paid, so you are out just a little time. |
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First thing people need to consider. Shooting is a hobby. Hobbies cost money! And, as the saying goes for the most part fish caught fishing or meat from hunting is more expensive then most care to admit if you want to assign value to it. Guide Fees License Fees Transportation to and from Lodging Food and Beverage Equipment from guns to boats filled with electronic gear Bait Time off from work? A person I used to work with has fancy ski boat. Used about 5 times last summer. The cost of the boat alone could possibly have paid for two Registered Receiver M16s, and in the end you still have the M16's with the boat not so much! On top of that they have have to have SUV to haul the boat. Going hunting.....sheesh fly to Alaska then small plane to camp area then perhaps horseback to the actual hunting area. So people need to quit worrying about payback or slinging the word investment. Simply put it is the cost of extending your hobby! The frustrating part is that people see loading benches filling with equipment. And, are immediately intimidated by that and the potential costs.... Entry level equipment like a RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Kit will last a lifetime. If you have the time to delve into reloading by all means do it! An excuse to expand the man cave! But, do not for one minute expect a return on investment other than a huge smile! |
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I know this by reading all the post in this forum since 2007. I can recognize posters screen names. I know the posters here. You have just started to post in the reloading forum and are new here. Would love to see your pics on your load. Photobucket is a major PITA for me and my poor computer skills, but let me share my load and rifle that shot a 7/8" 200 yard group and several others that were exactly an inch (which is not bad for a 63 year-old man). Rifle: Spikes lower w/ Geissele SSA-E trigger, Magpul PRS stock, Moe K2+ grip RRA 24" Varmint upper, 1:8" twist Wylde chamber Vortex Viper 4-16x50 Load: Lake City brass CCI BR-4 primers Sierra 65gr. GameKing soft point boat-tail bullets 24.5gr. H335 2.250 c.o.l. (cases trimmed to 1.750") If you think it over, a picture posted don't mean jack shit. Especially someone like you that is leery of other people to begin with. Anybody "could" go out at 25 yards, shoot a 1/4" group and post it on here as a 100 yard group. Unless you were there and witnessed it personally......... |
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Glad you have been reloading for awhile you have me beat by 2 years.
Everyone claims to lurk for years and being around is different from actually posting in a forum. Kind of like pics huh? All of that aside, it is good to have another experienced reloader in the forum. |
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Been on this forum for three years. Lurked for a couple years prior to joining. I've been reloading for 45 years (possibly longer than most members here have been alive). Photobucket is a major PITA for me and my poor computer skills, but let me share my load and rifle that shot a 7/8" 200 yard group and several others that were exactly an inch (which is not bad for a 63 year-old man). Rifle: Spikes lower w/ Geissele SSA-E trigger, Magpul PRS stock, Moe K2+ grip RRA 24" Varmint upper, 1:8" twist Wylde chamber Vortex Viper 4-16x50 Load: Lake City brass CCI BR-4 primers Sierra 65gr. GameKing soft point boat-tail bullets 24.5gr. H335 2.250 c.o.l. (cases trimmed to 1.750") If you think it over, a picture posted don't mean jack shit. Especially someone like you that is leery of other people to begin with. Anybody "could" go out at 25 yards, shoot a 1/4" group and post it on here as a 100 yard group. Unless you were there and witnessed it personally......... Quoted:
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I know this by reading all the post in this forum since 2007. I can recognize posters screen names. I know the posters here. You have just started to post in the reloading forum and are new here. Would love to see your pics on your load. Photobucket is a major PITA for me and my poor computer skills, but let me share my load and rifle that shot a 7/8" 200 yard group and several others that were exactly an inch (which is not bad for a 63 year-old man). Rifle: Spikes lower w/ Geissele SSA-E trigger, Magpul PRS stock, Moe K2+ grip RRA 24" Varmint upper, 1:8" twist Wylde chamber Vortex Viper 4-16x50 Load: Lake City brass CCI BR-4 primers Sierra 65gr. GameKing soft point boat-tail bullets 24.5gr. H335 2.250 c.o.l. (cases trimmed to 1.750") If you think it over, a picture posted don't mean jack shit. Especially someone like you that is leery of other people to begin with. Anybody "could" go out at 25 yards, shoot a 1/4" group and post it on here as a 100 yard group. Unless you were there and witnessed it personally......... To the OP, yes, you should try to reload to see what kind of improvements can be had. I have 2 ARs that can shoot sub moa with my premium bullet reloads, they shoot 2" groups with my bulk reloads. But with other factory ammo, barely get within 5" at 100 yards. At worst, you will save some money on blasting ammo, at best, you will get a 1000 yard target load that destroys the competition and saves you money. |
For me, reloading is like a drug: I can sit down at the bench, turn on the radio, and zone out for hours...at the end of which, I have boxes full of product that is better (and cheaper) than off-the-shelf factory ammo. And it keeps me sober, `cause drunk reloading is.....bad juju. 
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I shoot so I can reload more. I honestly get a lot of satisfaction reloading and to me, it relieves stress.
But do look at EE, Craigslist and other local for sale websites. there is a reason there are lots of "like-new" reloading equipment for sale. Not everyone has the time and mental ability to reload. There are a lot of new guys showing up to this forum too. Some (most?) dont come back. We are such good people.. I like to think its not because we scared them away with silly bickering. Likely their stuff went on EE... 
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I shoot so I can reload more. I honestly get a lot of satisfaction reloading and to me, it relieves stress. But do look at EE, Craigslist and other local for sale websites. there is a reason there are lots of "like-new" reloading equipment for sale. Not everyone has the time and mental ability to reload. I'd advise the OP to spend an evening reading here and elsewhere (there's another reloading forum in the precision rifles section, FYI) about what's involved in developing and producing and accurate load. If your reaction is "this sounds interesting", then by all means jump right in. If your reaction is "this sounds like a lot of work", then maybe experimenting with some factory loads is a better course- for now. Take that advice for what it's worth from a low post count newbie. Nothing I can do about that but keep posting until guys here decide whether I'm worthy or not. |
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Yet this is a forum where experience and reputation are important. Dryflash has more influence on reloaders in this forum than most, and had not steered me or any other who has asked for information wrong in my eyes since I joined this forum. I appreciate all experience and information I can get, but I do not appreciate the way this was given. All information on the internet should be taken with a grain of salt. A picture is only worth what you take it for. If dryflash says his "load" in "his rifle" performed the way he showed in "his picture", then I believe him for what it is. A guide and a bit of information to guide me in my pursuits. That said, "experience and reputation" may be important as far as giving advice is concerned (especially "experience"), but neither one of those attributes gives anyone the right to be judgmental....even moreso when his judgments cannot be backed up with facts, as in the case of the above-mentioned statement. You do not know me and neither does dryflash. We will likely never meet, but maybe will cross paths on this forum every so often. But I can assure you, when I post written group sizes with particular loads, you can be assured that it is so. What's the point of deceiving people I do not know and will never meet? What would be the end game for that? You either believe me or you don't....makes no difference to me. The reason I am fairly new to the reloading forum on arfcom is because I am from a bolt-action rifle/pistol background and have only been in ownership of/loading for the AR platform for about 4 years now and have never ran into any problems until recently. That is why my name has recently surfaced on the reloading forums. The minor problem I had a couple of weeks ago I figured out on my own but was still appreciative of all the suggestions from many posters. But for sure, two heads are better than one, and twenty heads are better than two when it comes to problem solving. For the record, my name is Tony. I will be looking forward to reading post from you, dryflash, and all other posters associated with the reloading forum. I have no ill will towards anyone here on arfcom, and I hope no one has any towards me. Good day to you, and good shooting whenever the opportunity arises!!! |
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If all you want is some accurate ammo for the Colt, buy match grade ammo and enjoy unless you plan to shoot thousands of rounds of it and don't mind the time spent reloading. Expecting any actual savings is generally unrealistic, the usual result is simply shooting more or shooting more expensive rounds. I'm a dedicated reloader and I spent a while running the numbers and thinking about it recently from an outside perspective. The result of my analysis was a bit annoying. For much of my shooting I should simply buy the ammo, the time spent reloading it was literally better spent working at McDonald's part time if financial motivation was the key.
I view it as an additional hobby, if you enjoy that hobby it can have synergistic advantages with the shooting hobby/sport. |
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Boman, I responded to dryflash the way I did because of the condescending statement he made to the OP in his first post. This one: "The previous answers are from mostly non reloaders." That said, "experience and reputation" may be important as far as giving advice is concerned (especially "experience"), but neither one of those attributes gives anyone the right to be judgmental....even moreso when his judgments cannot be backed up with facts, as in the case of the above-mentioned statement. You do not know me and neither does dryflash. We will likely never meet, but maybe will cross paths on this forum every so often. But I can assure you, when I post written group sizes with particular loads, you can be assured that it is so. What's the point of deceiving people I do not know and will never meet? What would be the end game for that? You either believe me or you don't....makes no difference to me. The reason I am fairly new to the reloading forum on arfcom is because I am from a bolt-action rifle/pistol background and have only been in ownership of/loading for the AR platform for about 4 years now and have never ran into any problems until recently. That is why my name has recently surfaced on the reloading forums. The minor problem I had a couple of weeks ago I figured out on my own but was still appreciative of all the suggestions from many posters. But for sure, two heads are better than one, and twenty heads are better than two when it comes to problem solving. For the record, my name is Tony. I will be looking forward to reading post from you, dryflash, and all other posters associated with the reloading forum. I have no ill will towards anyone here on arfcom, and I hope no one has any towards me. Good day to you, and good shooting whenever the opportunity arises!!! You probably didn't notice that this thread was started outside the Reloading forum. (check the first post and notice the thread was moved by another fellow mod to here) And those several first posts were from before the thread was moved. (I know this because those posters do not post in the Reloading Forum) Folks who do not reload, are scared of reloading and give bad advice. I think we agree on that. Also I stated "most" not all and did not name any posters. You seemed to take it personal which was not my intention, I was just correcting a falsehood. (reloading not "worth" it) Stick around and learn how this forum and Arfcom work, and please don't be so quick to take offence. We are all friends here and want to help our fellow posters. |
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I think I understand your problem/confusion. You probably didn't notice that this thread was started outside the Reloading forum. (check the first post and notice the thread was moved by another fellow mod to here) And those several first posts were from before the thread was moved. (I know this because those posters do not post in the Reloading Forum) Folks who do not reload, are scared of reloading and give bad advice. I think we agree on that. Also I stated "most" not all and did not name any posters. You seemed to take it personal which was not my intention, I was just correcting a falsehood. (reloading not "worth" it) Stick around and learn how this forum and Arfcom work, and please don't be so quick to take offence. We are all friends here and want to help our fellow posters. So....we're good, right? |
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Fair enough. Lots of truth to your post. Being a member of more than one discussion-type forum (billiards, motorcycles, and two other gun forums), I have noticed, as you too probably have, that there are many posters on such forums that are all high-and-mighty with their "my way or the highway" kind of responses. Your first post just came off a bit like that to me. My apologies. It's difficult to read intent in the written word and I "read" yours wrong. So....we're good, right?
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I wish I had started 20 years ago Now, I am almost 32, I still do stuff wrong. lol. But it's with a bit of wisdom and my percentage of success is higher. |
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Tried some Black Hills 77 TMK... wow. Legit 1 to 1.5 at a hundred yards. (Ideal conditions) is it possible to do better with this rifle with a proper worked up load? Never done it, trying to decide if it would be worth the effort. What is your end goal? Do you want benchrest match grade quality ammo? Are you looking for sub-m.o.a. groups? To do that right you're gonna want to weigh your cases and separate by headstamp, uniformly trim your cases, turn your case necks, check for uniform primer pockets/holes and clean, weigh every charge, check for bullet concentricity, experiment with powders and bullet seating depths. Unless you get lucky and hit on a great load right off the bat, it will take some time and equipment. Or, are you just wanting to save money? A progressive press will save you time and money. Bullet concentricity gauges and neck turning are not necessary for blasting ammo. If you want to blast 300-500 rounds per shooting session, the cost of the reloaded ammo will be about half of what you are paying for it at the LGS or online (with the exception of steel-cased ammo and some that are manufactured in 3rd world countries). Less equipment and less attention on the finer details. Plus, the more you load and shoot, the sooner your equipment will have paid for itself. If you want a combination of the two, just prep the cases right and weigh your powder charges, and use good bullets. You sometimes get lucky and get a decently accurate load before large amounts of varying powders and bullet brands are needed to be purchased. Do not buy the cheapest equipment out there, but I have found that much of the medium priced equipment is generally well made. Whatever you do, NEVER look for shortcuts, especially in the case prep department. Also, DO NOT try to load to maximum powder recommendations at first....sneak up on it. Many times a load with less velocity can/will be more accurate than a hot load. Then, if you are satisfied with loads like the Black Hills load you mentioned, have the money to buy it, and less time for reloading....well, there's your answer right there. Other amoo brands have good accuracy. Some examples are match ammo from Sierra, Hornady, etc. A fairly accurate round that is commercially loaded that I have found to like in .223/5.56, and is fairly affordable (especially in bulk) is the Prvi Partizan 69 gr. Match. Like others have said here, it is a great and satisfying hobby. If you shoot a lot, in will pay off in the long run. The key to this all is....do you have and want to spend the time on it? Myself, being an avid outdoorsman, shoot most of my reloaded ammo in the spring, summer, and fall and use the colder winter months to reload my empty brass. If it helps you make a decision....I'd say go for it. Good luck. |
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