Q&A - Top 10 Things to Make Your Shooting More Accurate

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[@danflowers8584]

That was so AWESOME. It took me decades to figure out what you just gave away in minutes. I even learned one thing I never learned. Thank you so much. You are a wonderful human being. I wish I could shake your hand and thank you personally. Be blessed Sir.

[@chunglow7646]

Awesomeness sir! America Citizens First

[@hrbricker]

It's not as easy to pass on your knowledge as one might think. Some people need different words to understand the same concept.

[@pietersmit4775]

😊

[@Jeff_Seely]

I watched this video twice because the first time I watched it it felt like somebody handed me a fistful of a $100 bills! Really, I take it as some of the most valuable advice I have ever received regarding match shooting. Thank you very much Keith. I really do appreciate your knowledge, experience, and wisdom. And a sincere, heartfelt thanks to the person who asked you this!

[@randytidwell8582]

I mostly shoot short range BR, I always laugh when guys make the comment "With that set up, anyone can shoot one hole!" I just tell them, there is the rifle and ammo, have at it. Knowing how to steer the rifle is the most important part of the equation! Best equipment in the world and best components will not win a match if you can't handle the rifle the same every shot. JMHO Love this guys videos!

[@stephenbaker7499]

I totally agree with what you just said... PS... Keith is the absolute best I'll sit at my reloading bench with his videos playing in the background very pleasant.

[@beestoe993]

I did some fooling around with seating depth and came to the conclusion that it didn't matter. But I am not a competition shooter. This video convinced me that my process just isn't developed enough to recognize the difference...yet. Fantastic video! It is such a privilege to learn from the pro's.

[@rayzar6720]

Seating depth does matter

[@honcho714]

You could not be more wrong , seating depth matters a lot .

[@CplSkiUSMC]

I think you missed the most important aspect if someone is interested in competitive shooting. Pocket depth. You kind of danced around it with rifle selection, bullet selection, and resources for exploratory hand loading. If you do not have deep pockets, you probably won't be competitive. You'll do alright and sometimes that's good enough. You might even take an off the rack rifle and do some crafty home spun gunsmithing to make it shoot well enough to get on the board... but the guys with deep pockets and precision equipment will eat your lunch every time. However, I'm sure that many who asked this question of Keith are not in it for competition, but to be able to hit a milk jug full of water at a thousand yards or more. This can be accomplished with what Keith is saying. You may not be able to afford that custom rifle and extensive reloading and testing equipment, but you can still attain excellent accuracy with a decent rifle, decent reloading equipment, and a lot of learning. With a Savage Model 10FP in .308 Win, I have attained a 50% hit rate on milk jugs at 1137 yards (I live at 5,100ft elevation) with RCBS press/dies, Varget powder, non-match primers, and Hornady 168gr Match bullets (HPBT). Shooting and hand loading are life long learning processes. The more you learn, the better you get.

[@alchampion340]

I’m not a precision shooter, but I’ve been around reloading all my life shotgun first in Rifle. My rifle are for hunting. I will take an accurate load over a fast load if it’s fast and accurate that’s that’s a plus. I’d rather hit where I aim and put my game down. I tried to keep everything the same cases measurements the whole 9 yards to my best ability. Thank you for the video you have taught me a lot as another fellow commented . Some of this stuff took me a long time to learn.God Bless, have a good day.

[@steveswain3114]

A brilliant video Keith, extremely insightful and well presented. Anyone who's thinking of starting out in precision rifle shooting should watch this. Appreciate all the work and effort that goes into your fabulous content. Thank you.

[@pstewart5443]

I want to thank you first off. The #10 pick. I recently purchased some Berger LRHT and they're so good, I don't need to touch the points. This US mil contract they recently won, must've allowed them to purchase a buncha new equipment. I've never seen more consistent and just out of the box bullets shoot so well. 27 shots of varying powder charges from min to max all hit in a 1.7" circle. Zero flyers. I was blown away. I've now looked at 130 of the lot of 1000 I purchased and the most variance I've seen is 0.16 grains in weight and nothing wrong with the tips. The tiny hole in the tip is so small they look pointed. Worth every penny thus far. I can say that Berger must be using something in their formula to give them a better, more honest result of standard than other makers. Oher makers need to be more honest in their BC marketing as well. Ive noticed Hday has made some mods to their online reloading manual where they put a little exclamation point beside the ELD-M series to denote they used a certain bullet speed to achieve the BC calculation. I have seen 223 shooters destroy my scores. The 90 grain VLD theyre shooting is crazy accurate, but it definitely has more issues in the wind. Great list & I agree with you.

[@wlbrobinson]

I raced for a long time, the things you just passed along are key to winning and most would never give it up. My son started in Karts and placed in the worlds several times and just walked everyone at the local tracks because a good racer made a simple carb adjustment for us and the whole world opened up, get the big things first then keep drilling down until you are looking for tenths of tenths of seconds. Before we moved to Formula type cars a young girl came up to me holding her carburetor in hand asking me to set it up. I watched her win several races, you have shared this path to winning, thanks.

[@javiersp01]

This video is outstanding, can't wait for the next one, thanks a lot Keith !!

[@James-cv5tx]

Truly brilliant video. Thank you for making it! I look forwards to seeing the further info you have on seating depth.

[@philsprague7875]

Thanks for all your great info. Your posts have helped me improve each time I read them.

[@ptm4view]

Thanks! Good video. I'm definitely looking forward to more on the seating depth process.

[@coreystock5361]

Love it. Enjoy listening and learning.

[@psmith535]

You are a great instructor! Thank you for being clear and concise…

[@misterlewgee8874]

Thanks for putting all those aspects into perspective. It's appreciated and enjoyed. Fantastic Keith....looking forward to more videos....thanks.

[@ericneilson9151]

Nice . I keep waiting for learn to read the wind. Thanks for your videos they are always super good.

[@kenl2861]

New to your channel, but binge watching this evening. Lots of great stuff. But … this one, I wish I’d seen decades ago. Totally awesome. Thanks for all your very informative videos!!

[@michaelpope7642]

I'm amazed at how you make it sound so simple.. haha. Please put out a video on "the right powder charge", I've tried a few of your described methods and have found varying results. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you

[@warbirdflyerF4U]

Awesome job Keith is always I can't think of anything I would add to your list or change the order of any of it Going in to my 2nd season of benchrest competition I have learned a lot from you and a few of the guys I shoot with Is to really step up my game And become competitive with some of the top shooters here in New York State Thanks again for all your awesome videos and help To our communities

[@lovetoflylovetofly3843]

That all sounds like sound advice to me! Thanks Keith for sharing your hard earned wisdom.

[@skeptic1236]

I don't know if this would have made my top 10 but learning how and actually keeping your rifle sufficiently clean is definitely a necessary process.

[@kencurtis508]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@rickyk.6944]

Very , Very good video Keith .

[@ewetho]

Very good list!

[@frankschneider5566]

Thank you Professor! Words of experience & wisdom.

[@judodavid1]

Thank you for the knowledge

[@kinnyturner3121]

I'm very glad that I watched this video before I tried any competition shooting or precision reloading. Thank you for all the advice and component/money saving tips!

[@stylekanton7006]

I've done my first load development for powder charge and I had really inconsistent data. I couldn't find the denominator in the information that pointed me in the right direction. Your comments about primer pocket, depth and seating just spoke to the anomalies. Thanks again Keith! Saved me once again.

[@d.j.9961]

Living within the rustbelt of the Ohio Valley surrounded by hills, I am only exposed to long range shooting online & I definitely want to try my hand at it! I am very pro 2a however, I don't shoot that often & That will be changing very soon!!! I will be acquiring a range membership so that I can start practicing though, I am sure it is only 200-500 yards. Seeing your videos & how precise, decisive, & knowledgeable you are, You Sir, Earned a new subscriber! I am sure there is a good bit that I can learn from you!

[@adrianrobertson6877]

Fantastic top 10. If every new shooter reviewed this and worked on them in order, there time and money would be optimally used. Thanks Kieth

[@hardball107]

I love this video, all you've said is completely true even in my selected discipline. I was a National Match High Power shooter for over 35 years back when we shot Garands and M1a's. I sweated brass prep and developed all my loads with a heavy barrel Savage 110 in 30/06. I tested and retested all the components with that rifle and when I was shooting little 5 shot bug holes with it I turned to my favorite Garand. I doted over that rifle, bought 9 barrels for it from a competitor, all the same Danish VAR manufacture and I changed them out when needed. I had a shop in downstate NY doing all my work when needed like NM 1/2 minute sights and when my handloads went in that rifle it shot sub moa and the loads were very mid power. I shot well with it and people still looked sideways at me on some scores, an accurate rifle and load made it easy. M2 Ball just wasn't going to cut it but when I had to the rifle made all the difference. I still spend hours on brass and testing now for my 6.5 Creedmoor. When your looking for accurate rounds you need to test, the most expansive components don't guarantee the smallest groups.

[@LudwigsPrecision]

the detail of primers, had had that discussion many times and been called a lot of things. they do a difference, so thanks for the same conclusion

[@peking08]

Great Video. Ty. I Will watch it again a few times.

[@brendavanorden9550]

Not disagreeing just adding in one. You have to have fun.

[@brianhollinger6109]

Great video by the way

[@mickroberts5166]

The most important thing? Once you have rifle and ammo sorted ... it is by far your body position, specifically your shoulder contact area. If you can get the rifle to recoil in the same place, you are onto it. Otherwise here come 11 and 12 o'clock fliers ... or 6

[@cocvhecv]

Intensely illuminating

[@stephenhair5501]

Very good video. Although I don't shoot F Class, I really like to know how to improve my shooting skills and reloading techniques. Thank you so much for sharing you insights. Good luck, shoot small groups and God Bless.

[@kdsell2717]

Thanks, Keith! I’m currently working on developing a load for a 7mm RSAUM and am experiencing some slight issues in accuracy. Your comments about using the right primer might have saved me a headache down the road. I once had to switch primers on a 280 AI to convince it to shoot. I had completely forgotten about it until I watched this video. Thanks again for all of the insight and for taking the time to put together such a great video.

[@jcarry5214]

I hope you got your issues worked out by now but Me and other folks get great results with non-mag primers. Fed 210m gets some folks including me eye-watering accuracy, some guns need cci. But I'm kinda curious how it went for you, I haven't talked to anyone who ever made an inaccurate load, I've found it to be incredibly forgiving.

[@bob1764]

Great video Keith. Sort brass by volume?? Sort bullets by nose profile??

[@SnipeU696]

Thank you.

[@tv-cx8gv]

Like the format.

[@anotherday056]

Great stuff

[@GetMeThere1]

LOL. This is the first I've heard of "eddy current" measurements! Very interested in looking at that one further.

[@jeffsikula2920]

I do neck turn but its done only once on new cases after sizing and just enough to skim the high spots off. I uniform my primer pockets but its part of my cleaning process. I use a K&M primer pocket tool the depth it set and does an amazing job chipping off the carbon and once in a while it'll shave some brass off. i also ream flash holes and debur..once again just done once on new brass. K&M has a nice tool to do both at the same time. I lso use a 21st Century primer tool for seating.

[@johnpermabullsmith875]

I am with the broke class of gun owners and let me tell you it makes me happy to shoot a 1.5 inch group with my PSA AR haha I would love to get a good bolt action one day and get into reloading but hard times. Love the videos I learn so much from your channel.

[@chrisfournier6144]

I always admire folks that do what they are interested in with the gear that they have not the gear that they want!

[@264Win1]

Just started in f-class can use all the info there is using a 223 for present time . Need a lot of decent money to advance have been reloading for60yrs and still learning all over again.. Thanks still waiting for barrel for now practicing to be the best I can on a budget!!! Have a Blessed day Thanks

[@chrismurphy3317]

Hey chap you don’t talk about bullet run out/concentricity. With a lot of the trouble shooting I do on clients rifle often run out is the issue due to inconsistent necks and or dud dies. But most of the rifles I am fixing are factory hunting rifles with lower cost brass and dies used. But still worth a mention. Neck turning in these cases fixes the problem. FYI Norma brass is usually the worst for neck inconsistencies. Love your work 👌🏻

[@brentfrank7012]

Hi Keith, I just discovered you tonight. I’ve been shooting for a long long time but am just now considering reloading for all my ammo. I live in California and so, yea!!! I’ve watched video after video and it appears that my first step is choosing a reload machine, opinions vary. I’ll be loading hand gun loads of all sizes and long range out to 1,000 yrds 6.5. I might even reload my shotgun shells, did that decades ago with my dad. Thank you for the concise video. Very fun. I’m now a subscriber.

[@redrock425]

Definitely the way forward. Tailoring the ammunition to each gun gives you so many more options. I'd say here in the UK pretty much 100% of target shooters reload. You can't buy ammunition of equivalent accuracy and it would be much more expensive.

[@phill7404]

Man thank you this information is gold

[@junaidaftabkhan]

Excellent video , God Bless.

[@TxLongrange]

I was handprimimg some ammo last night, you know how sometimes the one behind the primer your loading gets in the way? Well I primed all the cases and then when my primer tray was empty I cycled all those cartridges back through the hand primer again. Do I know if it worked, not really…but I felt better. Lol

[@bee17167]

Too good love your work

[@Spruce-Bug]

These indepth videos are fantastic

[@tonydevich7937]

Awesome!, good stuff

[@Longshothawk]

I think a mentor might be high on the list. I live in a place where f class and long range are not common at all. It's basically me and my brother stumbling in the dark trying to find our way. These videos on KZbin are a huge help, but to be able to sit down and talk, or have a direct demonstration, or someone to watch shooting position setup, or give wind pointers live in your own environment, this would change everything I do in shooting I think.

[@annahonorata990]

I enjoyed watching this one. I encourage you to develop the concept of "right powder charge" in a separate video..

[@rickm4295]

I think this new Terminus action will be a good start for me. I like this channel

[@dmalcolm24]

Keith if you were wanting to make a video that would gather congratulations, then congratulations. No tongue in cheek here either. You've done it. It's a well deserved pat on the back too. Specifically I like the fact that what you said is great guidance without being burdened with too many specifics. Since I no longer fly, it's an outlet for my desire to learn (and purchase gadgets). Once again, well done. Keep up the excellent work.

[@warriorrod2382]

Lanny bashem and lones wigger said “shoot 5 days a week several times a day” . Take 6 months to learn your trigger. Most errors occur at the firing line.

[@keithewart9259]

At what point do you change primer. Do you find a reasonable load then tweek with different primers or while your finding a powder charge or if you’re not finding a consistent seating depth. Thanks

[@tonydevich7937]

Thanks

[@davidnave4349]

I like this video and I would like to here your opion about the same subject using hunting bullets for game not targets.

[@kingvideo-]

VERY good video.. If I can ask, what camera are you using to make this video? It is VERY nice and clear!

[@DLT704]

Would like to hear from you how to properly identify the correct powder charge. Much thanks new subscriber here GREAT VIDEOS !!!!

[@micahleis5424]

I don't even know what "bullet pointing" is. Now I need to search for that. Not that it matters much though, because I still have many of the items from 1-9 ahead of that to worry about. I really enjoyed your video, thanks for making it.

[@ceez33167]

great vid.

[@hinkrakagaming5532]

Very good tips, very good info! Thanks! One question though, I'm a novice hand loader and I've never even been close to differing in charge weights between shots to the point of one whole grain, isn't that dangerous levels? Are people that "careless" and still compete?

[@Bmoreaccurate]

Thanks for the information I might have missed you talking about annealing. What is your take on it?

[@rontoulme9055]

How does concentricity of the cartridge's effect accuracy ?

[@stefanschug5490]

I agree 100% with your list and especially being fussy about bullet sorting. Standard deviation in some bullet boxes and lots, even of some really good producers vary quite a bit. For my part I reduced my occasional flyers quite a bit by sorting the bullets of each box. Great video as always. Keep up the good work!

[@stevefuller-dy5uz]

I've done ladder test with my 6.5 Creedmoor at 100 yards, and most of the time I get a bug hole group. Now I'm trying the same test at 200 yards.

[@tjrepka5136]

Question here. Do you start a match with a clean barrel or do you foul it previously to a match?

[@tS-sn7jt]

Excellent explanation people waste lots of money on expensive chassis that will not change anything on accuracy

[@308guy8]

Man I wished I could talk to someone like u with all the knowledge I crave

[@jeffsikula2920]

I believe in annealing before every sizeing every time. I feel it resets the neck tension. Alot of shooters do it every other or two sizeing processes but for me every time. What do you think?

[@rayzar6720]

Agreed. Its all about consistency to me. I seem to get more consistent spring back after annealing everytime which lends to consistent neck tension

[@johnclause765]

Consistent form from shouldering the rifle and trigger pull , muscle memory for every movement you make is critical for precision shooting. Precision movements make for precision shooting.

[@yellowjacket548]

Great advice for a newb who is taking the plunge into the world of F Class!

[@honcho714]

Define valid load development process. Define the process for validating a bullet as "good".

[@markthegunplumber8376]

Primers, Bullets and Powder and Barrels and Brass. See what everyone else is shooting and use that. If everyone is shooting H-4831sc don't show up with ammo loaded with AA powder and expect to shoot well. Don't come to the line with RDF bullets and expect to shoot with the big boys. The saying is "you either shoot Berger (or some equivalent) or lose to the guy who did" sad but true. Brass, i use either Lapua or Peterson and the latter of the 2. has superior quality, don't cheap out on brass. Primers, there is a lot to learn here, use what others are using generally Federals or CCIs. Federals have softer cups and CCIs have harder cups. Barrels, don't show up with a Factory or quality hunting barrel like Douglas etc. and expect to do well against cut rifled and hand lapped premium barrels for F-Class or BR. I tell my customers "i charge the same to put on a cheap barrel or a Premium barrel buy the good one" the price difference between the 2. is probably less than $100. Lots of barrels out there, i'm partial to Brux and Bartlein and Benchmark. The number one thing i hear from my customers and people i compete against is " Well, no one ever said this is a cheap sport to get into" and it's not.

[@whliving]

Quick question: I saw in your video that you were doing some load development during the winter. Does this have any effect on the same load’s precision when shot in a warmer time of year or warmer climate - OR, did you find your powder charge development (by whatever method) and seating depth development proved as precise regardless of the time of year you developed it? I know there will be velocity differences, but was the precision still there once you factored in temp, humidity, altitude, etc? Very helpful video.

[@winninginthewind]

Even temperature insensitive powders are somewhat sensitive to temperature. I use a powder that I have a decade plus of experience with, so I can adjust the charge to suit the expected conditions a the match location.

[@darrellcurrier5571]

great content and im loving your videos, but i wanted to ask about a stance of yours that i noticed has changed. you might have addressed this elsewhere and i haven't seen it yet (i am still making my way through your content), but here goes. in your video published on 11Aug2021, the 21st century vs sinclair priming tool, you mention you always uniform the primer pockets. in this video, you now mention primer pocket uniforming is generally not worth it, and very briefly explain why. i know Erik Cortina recently had a long form discussion with another shooter (the guy who created the CPS, primer seater) and they touched on this subject a bit. I am guessing that is now your train of thought. is this something you would be willing to expand on further? perhaps in a dedicated video (if not done so already).

[@jerrysnyder9388]

Could you suggest a shooting mat. I am just starting, and need a mat. Thanks

[@randytrudeau952]

What about annealing brass? I don’t do that yet but it seems to be very popular right now.

[@6n518]

Would a 22 Creedmoor do well in F Open at long range?

[@jeffmiller6171]

I’m building a F class and wondering what adjustable But pad you use?

[@johnmccarthy6999]

My greatest problem in accuracy is #2. I fall in love with rifles that have limited capability, and for some reason I cannot move on to the ones that produce. So In addition to my shooters, I still go back and burn pills, fuel, and primers on my favorite pipes. Maybe I need therapy.

[@northernsky6117]

Hi, What twist rate did you have on your 308Win? Thank you.

[@davidallen3139]

I reload for hunting and do my best to make sure that my equipment is as accurate as possible so that the only variables in the field are me and the conditions. I’m in the UK and I reload in my garage all year round, I’ve no heating and no air-con and it’s always been in the back of my mind that if temperature of your powder can make a difference to accuracy when you’re shooting how much difference can it make not only to the powder but the bullet and the case when you’re reloading?

[@DakotaDinwoodie]

humidity should be your concern, not temp. temperature at the time of ignition is what matters. humidity of the powder when loaded can determine the burn rate and weight-by-volume of the powder so if its dry, you can have faster powder that weighs less per kernel, or per given volume. recipe for disaster. humid powder is the opposite effect.

[@dickmanhardt7617]

What about rifle rests for the front and back. looking for something that I don't need to take a loan out for.

[@TexasTrained]

Awesome Advice. I'm trying to decide if I want to change calibers or stick with my 6.5 PRC. I SHOOT A MILE PLUS QUITE A BIT. But would like to shoit PRS maybe

[@COSpacegunner]

From an Erik Cortina video to you: Do you neck-size or full-length size your cases?

[@Ouwkackemann]

How can I control the seating depth of the primer? I think I´m missing here something.

[@hrbricker]

Shucks; somewhere I saw an extreme high speed video of a rifle barrel muzzle in motion. with a bullet just an inch or two in flight. If anybody can post a link to such a video along with Keith's stuff, it would be great.

[@rob1135]

Thanks Keith. I expected to see buying a quality optic and properly mounting it… PS #1 having a place to shoot. #2 practice

[@brianhollinger6109]

Keith, On your bullet obsession do you trim the meplat before pointing?

[@winninginthewind]

I hate to do this to you... It depends on whether they need it. I try not to, simply to reduce the work I have to put into the bullets.

[@HWWlInsuranceLawAcademy]

So you are using a Bullet Genie?

[@scottpellegrin8]

Your thoughts on semi automatic rifles? What can a shooter expect from them applying these techniques? You willing to experiment with them? Like a Browning BAR? Lots of hunters interested! Appreciate all your content.

[@winninginthewind]

I have nothing to work with on semi-autos. Unfortunately, I live in a state where obtaining a semi-auto rifle is almost impossible due to the legislature's mentality that the rifles are the problem when I see the real problem all along the streets every day.

[@randomidiot8142]

Probably a dumb question. Is it the longer freebores on 3" plus oal .284 win that reduces the effect of the neck on the bullet to the degree that 'clearance is clearance'? Does a short freebore barrel have more sensitivity to brass prep? I can load to 2.8" for one mag and over 3" for the other. Am I really giving the barrel more initial control of the bullet in the long oal and that's the reason it tends to shoot better? With the new trend of shorter cases in magnum actions like .300 prc, is it the longer freebores doing the majority of the work that shows the improvement over a short throated .300 win mag in a standard action?

[@winninginthewind]

The longer freebore is there exclusively to prevent contact with the donut area of the case. Extrapolating across cartridges is a dangerous game...