It's absolutely worth it. When you reload you can fine-tune the round to your gun when you buy factory ammo you have to find a gun that works for it. And if you're reloads are worse than factory ammo you're doing it wrong.
I started hand-loading in January 1990, and I would hear or read statements saying that factory ammunition was not accurate. So I pulled the bullets from a box of Federal in 30-60; everything was solid, and the powder charge(s)and the bullet(s) weighed.
Reloading is a one very important aspect of precision rifle shooting. You can go for 250-500 rounds of premium manufactured ammo and shoot very well. Or go full load development on a hand load basis. For one rifle only, its a hard call I think on a $ basis. For more than one rifle, in several calibre's, then reloading is the way. It also teaches you a lot along the way.
For me, depends entirely on caliber. If I buy a rifle, chances are good enough I thought about the cost of getting dies, brass, etc that I need to be caliber specific and reload for it. But for something like 6.5 creedmoor or 308win or even 30-06(hunting), there's always factory ammo on the shelf, and not at a crazy price. But for my 6mm creedmoor, can only get the 103gr ELDX and 87gr V express locally, while there were plenty of component bullets, ordered some brass and dies and put it in an Oryx and it's a fun shooter.
I live in California and have to pay for a background check for ammunition purchases, which must go through an FFL and can't be ordered online unless shipped to an FFL. With all that added cost and the horrible availability of anything decent, handloading and reloading is the only viable option
@@waterishdrake8693 Yeah. I've been reloading since before it was a thing but all ammunition transactions have to go through an FFL and there's a background check required. California BS
IMO, it would really depend on amount shooting. the hunter shooter who maybe uses 2-4 boxes a year. I feel they would not benefit from handloading due to the learning curve, equipment and time. vs someone shooting a lot possibly burning through a barrel every year. then for them yeah they would benefit from handloading.
In my experience Berger ammo is the best and most consistent factory ammo rivaling my hand loads. Yes it expensive ammo but you can get about 30-40% of your money back by selling the brass since they use high quality Lapua brass. Some time ago I considered retiring from reloading and going the factory ammo route mostly to save time because let's be honest there is no money savings in this hobby.
A factor ignored is that with the Hornady match group shown it looks like it is splitting into two separate groups, and at farther ranges or longer shot strings that effect would be pronounced. With factory ammo you would have no recourse aside from a tuner which wouldn't really actually fix the issue.
Here is my reason for reloading my own ammo. As long as I have components at home already, and that would be a minimum of 1000 bullets, 3000 primers, and at least 3 one pound cans of powder in each caliber I own, I can shoot 7 days a week and stock up as much as I want. And by the way if your like me and have like a 17 hornet, you will never walk in your local walmart or even bass pro and find those on the shelf. I also shoot 6BR and you will pay a premium for factory ammo, if you find in in the USA. I have been reloading my own for 40 plus years, can't remember when I killed the last varmint (and that would be about 500 or so) with a factory loaded bullet.
Depends on your caliber. The new Hornady Creedmores and PRC are accurate because they designed the caliber and have vert close tolerances on the chambers, 300 Win Mag you will see huge differences in rifle chambers and factory dimensions
Except for the recent "powder gate" with hornady changing their powder in the precision hunter line of ammo and didn't tell anyone! Example, the 7PRC box shows 3000fps but people were getting 2700fps or so. That's a huge difference. If you were dialed for that factory load, picked up an extra box for a hunt without retesting it, that's a miss at longer ranges.
You must have had the best lot of Honrady ELD on the market because last box I sent over my chrono I had an Extreme Spread of 75 and a STD dev of 28.2 across the 20 rounds. They’ve been terribly disappointing over the last few years.
Now try the test with a $500 rifle instead of a $5000 rifle. I bet the differences will be magnified. I've had a 4" factory ammo group at 100, vs a 0.18" group with handloads.
Depends greatly on caliber. Military like 9mm, .308, 5.56 are a lot cheaper than the less popular rounds, I would hate to buy new Wetherby cartridges at $5/round
Unfortunately reloading anymore isn't as much of a cost saving as it is the quality of ammo. Most people can get good groups at 100yds with some type of factory ammo but the inconsistencies are more pronounced the farther you go.
I have been hand loading since 1974, competition shooter most of my life. I'm not sure why you blurred out the boxes of ammo, but I can read Hornady. Some calibers are more accurate with factory ammo than others. When Hornady designed the new calibers. they made the tolerances of the chambers and ammo tighter (i.e. Creedmoores and PRCs) I suspect you are using one of these in these tests. 300 Win Mag. .223/5.56 and .308 notorious for huge variations in chamber sizes and ammo. I suspect that you are using one of the mentioned Hornady calibers for your testing. You are remiss for not mentioning these facts IMO.
Cost should not be a factor as to whether or not one Handloads or buys factory ammo. What should be considered is can they concentrate on one task at a time and finish it without wondering off to start something else, only to come back later with no clue as to just what they had done and did not do. One should not reload if they can not focus on a task at hand without spacing out either. Handloading can be safe or it can be dangerous, and one's ability to study up on safety issues and follow instructions is another reason to Handload or not. If one does not like to read instructions they need to stick with factory ammo as well. And if they are the type that even if they read the warnings and decide they are not going to adhere to them then they need to stick with factory ammo too. And if one does not like to take the time to double and triple check over things to be sure that all is well they would be better off with factory ammo period. Yes one needs to qualify to reload, and for all those that can pass the test they should reload just because they can. And for those that have not the mentality to be be able to safely make Handloads, for the sake of themselves and others, should stick with Factory ammo alone! Really it is bad enough that some of these people have guns and are ignorant of knowing how to safely wheeled them. We do not need them adding slam fires and double charges to the equation. And as for idiots that like to put thousands of primers into an empty vodka bottle they put their neighbors at risk with what could only be described as a bomb waiting for an accident as an excuse to go off. I just hope them idiots live in the country far away from others, and not in an apartment building with innocent families on all sides. Like I said some people need to stay far away from Handloading ammunition as they would not only be a danger to themselves but every body else. Yet then again, Handloading can be as safe as driving a car if one minds the rules and proceeds safely.
Some people really enjoy the process, others prefer the product. Some like being indoors working at their bench, others like to be outside shooting. Who are we to pass judgement on which approach is "better"? For those of you who really enjoy the precision measuring, assembling and testing process, Factory ammo is like kissing your sister. For those who get antsy if sitting, go out and shoot factory. The obvious answer for improving accuracy is buying better gear.😆
@MDTTAC please do not edit out the natural pauses between sentences and/or words, makes it really hard to follow ifhespeakslikethisnadyouneedtopayattentionaswell.
Reloading is a hobby that fits perfectly for people who like long range / precision shooting.
They complement each other too well.
like your comment , I always say
shooting is a sport
&
reloading is a hobby
don't want a hobby don't reload :)
MDT your content has always been amazing! And its continuing to improve! Love all this content.
Thank you! :)
It's absolutely worth it. When you reload you can fine-tune the round to your gun when you buy factory ammo you have to find a gun that works for it. And if you're reloads are worse than factory ammo you're doing it wrong.
@danielmckraken5160 I can see the point flew 60,000 ft above your head. Your statement is extremely low intelligence.
I started hand-loading in January 1990, and I would hear or read statements saying that factory ammunition was not accurate. So I pulled the bullets from a box of Federal in 30-60; everything was solid, and the powder charge(s)and the bullet(s) weighed.
Consistent, fun, hobby, rewarding, is all about reloading
Reloading is a one very important aspect of precision rifle shooting. You can go for 250-500 rounds of premium manufactured ammo and shoot very well. Or go full load development on a hand load basis. For one rifle only, its a hard call I think on a $ basis. For more than one rifle, in several calibre's, then reloading is the way. It also teaches you a lot along the way.
For me, depends entirely on caliber. If I buy a rifle, chances are good enough I thought about the cost of getting dies, brass, etc that I need to be caliber specific and reload for it. But for something like 6.5 creedmoor or 308win or even 30-06(hunting), there's always factory ammo on the shelf, and not at a crazy price. But for my 6mm creedmoor, can only get the 103gr ELDX and 87gr V express locally, while there were plenty of component bullets, ordered some brass and dies and put it in an Oryx and it's a fun shooter.
I absolutely love these videos.
I live in California and have to pay for a background check for ammunition purchases, which must go through an FFL and can't be ordered online unless shipped to an FFL. With all that added cost and the horrible availability of anything decent, handloading and reloading is the only viable option
You have to have a background for buying ammo?? wtf
@@waterishdrake8693 Yeah. I've been reloading since before it was a thing but all ammunition transactions have to go through an FFL and there's a background check required. California BS
Same in New York
IMO, it would really depend on amount shooting. the hunter shooter who maybe uses 2-4 boxes a year. I feel they would not benefit from handloading due to the learning curve, equipment and time. vs someone shooting a lot possibly burning through a barrel every year. then for them yeah they would benefit from handloading.
In my experience Berger ammo is the best and most consistent factory ammo rivaling my hand loads. Yes it expensive ammo but you can get about 30-40% of your money back by selling the brass since they use high quality Lapua brass. Some time ago I considered retiring from reloading and going the factory ammo route mostly to save time because let's be honest there is no money savings in this hobby.
Thats a broad statement, if you want 9mm plinking ammo, you are correct, but have you priced Wetherby rifle ammo? $5/round
A factor ignored is that with the Hornady match group shown it looks like it is splitting into two separate groups, and at farther ranges or longer shot strings that effect would be pronounced. With factory ammo you would have no recourse aside from a tuner which wouldn't really actually fix the issue.
Here is my reason for reloading my own ammo. As long as I have components at home already, and that would be a minimum of 1000 bullets, 3000 primers, and at least 3 one pound cans of powder in each caliber I own, I can shoot 7 days a week and stock up as much as I want. And by the way if your like me and have like a 17 hornet, you will never walk in your local walmart or even bass pro and find those on the shelf. I also shoot 6BR and you will pay a premium for factory ammo, if you find in in the USA. I have been reloading my own for 40 plus years, can't remember when I killed the last varmint (and that would be about 500 or so) with a factory loaded bullet.
Another Great Video MDT 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Thanks! Of course speed tracking (with radar) + no wind at all would make the test more reliable.
Thank you cause I always wanted to know if the investment was worth it as a casual shooter and if the accuracy was worth the extra time !
Depends on your caliber. The new Hornady Creedmores and PRC are accurate because they designed the caliber and have vert close tolerances on the chambers, 300 Win Mag you will see huge differences in rifle chambers and factory dimensions
Except for the recent "powder gate" with hornady changing their powder in the precision hunter line of ammo and didn't tell anyone! Example, the 7PRC box shows 3000fps but people were getting 2700fps or so. That's a huge difference. If you were dialed for that factory load, picked up an extra box for a hunt without retesting it, that's a miss at longer ranges.
Very true and well documented
The bullets i use don't come in a factory offering and i like to obsess over perfection so handloading for me lol.
Sitting down reloading is my relaxation on a Saturday night.
No wife and kids around.....Heaven on earth.
I haven't found a box of hornady match that didn't have between 50-100 FPS spread, so definitely not great for long range.
Yeah, it’s really been shit over the last 3 years. Used to be my go to for match ammo, not so much anymore.
@@trevorhawkins8757 same
What's up with the gangster style shooting @4:38? Saw once more earlier in the video.
You must have had the best lot of Honrady ELD on the market because last box I sent over my chrono I had an Extreme Spread of 75 and a STD dev of 28.2 across the 20 rounds. They’ve been terribly disappointing over the last few years.
Thanks for that I needed to hear that cause I was at the range shooting this same ammo and I did not group at all. It was all over the place
4:44 *consistent.
And it’s fun to load.
Plus it gives you more excuse to get to the range
I have to reload running 80gr smk out of a 223 but I'm still using components I bought when stuff wasn't stupid expensive
Reloading right now with the cost of components, no! But typically its cheaper to load your own!!
Now try the test with a $500 rifle instead of a $5000 rifle. I bet the differences will be magnified. I've had a 4" factory ammo group at 100, vs a 0.18" group with handloads.
If your factory ammo has a good sd you can tweak it with a tuner. I enjoy the loading so that's another reason I do it
Depends greatly on caliber. Military like 9mm, .308, 5.56 are a lot cheaper than the less popular rounds, I would hate to buy new Wetherby cartridges at $5/round
@gregpace4676 that's why I don't shoot stuff like that. Biggest thing I reload takes 52.5 grains of H322
What caliber is this?
Who does your video editing/graphics/production?
We have an in-house guy who does all the video production/directing/filming/editing
@@MDTTAC How do I get in touch with him...? For completely non-related stuff.
Whats the guy doing shooting ghetto blaster style? Secret technique?
It is an actual shooting style used in competition
Never seen it before. Do you have a video about it? Pluses and minuses?
Unfortunately reloading anymore isn't as much of a cost saving as it is the quality of ammo. Most people can get good groups at 100yds with some type of factory ammo but the inconsistencies are more pronounced the farther you go.
Fair enough, it is best if you are shooting competition is where you will see the best benefit
Second to none content, wow ...
Thank you! :)
The result depend on the shooter consistency. You can use your test bed with a laser pointing at the target for science!
I have been hand loading since 1974, competition shooter most of my life. I'm not sure why you blurred out the boxes of ammo, but I can read Hornady. Some calibers are more accurate with factory ammo than others. When Hornady designed the new calibers. they made the tolerances of the chambers and ammo tighter (i.e. Creedmoores and PRCs) I suspect you are using one of these in these tests. 300 Win Mag. .223/5.56 and .308 notorious for huge variations in chamber sizes and ammo. I suspect that you are using one of the mentioned Hornady calibers for your testing. You are remiss for not mentioning these facts IMO.
Why do they never mention caliber ?
🤷♂️ where are you finding 5000 primer’s 😂
Magnum at that.
Powder Valley
Cost should not be a factor as to whether or not one Handloads or buys factory ammo. What should be considered is can they concentrate on one task at a time and finish it without wondering off to start something else, only to come back later with no clue as to just what they had done and did not do. One should not reload if they can not focus on a task at hand without spacing out either. Handloading can be safe or it can be dangerous, and one's ability to study up on safety issues and follow instructions is another reason to Handload or not. If one does not like to read instructions they need to stick with factory ammo as well. And if they are the type that even if they read the warnings and decide they are not going to adhere to them then they need to stick with factory ammo too. And if one does not like to take the time to double and triple check over things to be sure that all is well they would be better off with factory ammo period. Yes one needs to qualify to reload, and for all those that can pass the test they should reload just because they can. And for those that have not the mentality to be be able to safely make Handloads, for the sake of themselves and others, should stick with Factory ammo alone! Really it is bad enough that some of these people have guns and are ignorant of knowing how to safely wheeled them. We do not need them adding slam fires and double charges to the equation. And as for idiots that like to put thousands of primers into an empty vodka bottle they put their neighbors at risk with what could only be described as a bomb waiting for an accident as an excuse to go off. I just hope them idiots live in the country far away from others, and not in an apartment building with innocent families on all sides. Like I said some people need to stay far away from Handloading ammunition as they would not only be a danger to themselves but every body else. Yet then again, Handloading can be as safe as driving a car if one minds the rules and proceeds safely.
Reloading is ideal until you rebarrel...
Some people really enjoy the process, others prefer the product. Some like being indoors working at their bench, others like to be outside shooting. Who are we to pass judgement on which approach is "better"? For those of you who really enjoy the precision measuring, assembling and testing process, Factory ammo is like kissing your sister. For those who get antsy if sitting, go out and shoot factory. The obvious answer for improving accuracy is buying better gear.😆
Just mention nodes
@MDTTAC please do not edit out the natural pauses between sentences and/or words, makes it really hard to follow ifhespeakslikethisnadyouneedtopayattentionaswell.
Hold the F**k on … what device is this ??? 0:52
That is the new Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph