Reloading questions

[17Remhunter]

If the only thing you change with your reloads is the bullet seating depth can that make a difference in your group size? I went from a .030 off to .025 off to .020 off. Three shot groups were .522, .212, .508. That little of a difference can make that big of a difference?? Of course I need to re confirm this

 

[17Remhunter]

How often do you guys clean your rifle? How many shots?

 

[17VLD]

A lot of long range bench rest shooters work back from jam .003" at a time once they are settled on the powder and primer. It absolutely will show what the rifle will prefer. I clean after each use or sooner depending on the discipline.
Matt

 

[L.Sherm]

If that .212 was .025 off I would test .027 and. 023 to see how wide your node is.
You really don't want to be right on the ragged edge.
I used to test .005 but now all get tested at .003, my bigger stuff is tested at 665 yards the farther the better.