American Handgunner May/June 1978

fected. It's time to trade or rechamber.If you've a desire to check bullet concentricity,use a surface plate, V-block anddial indicator, as described. Don't be ledinto believing that you can learn anythingconclusive by visually observing cartridgesas they are rolled across table tops,plates of glass (which are not level unlessprecision ground) or other supposedly"flat" surfaces.The .0025-inch eccentricity indicatedin the tests is relatively insignificant. If,however, bullet offset within the handloadedround is appreciably greater, performancewill quite definitely be affected.It is also true that such factors as bulletspin balance~as determined by a combinationof bullet weight-to-length ratio,velocity and twist rate-and barrel qualitywill have an appreciable effect on performance.The handloader should be aware that,of all the components in the nomenclatureof items necessary to produce customammo, the loading dies are the most preciselymade. They are rarely at fault in anyproblem of inaccurate shooting.We have dealt thus far with full-lengthresizing dies. It is, nonetheless, a goodidea to mention the fact that, through nolack of precision in manufacturing, aneck-sizing die is capable of turning out around with an eccentrically seated bullet.The difficulty, more often than not, arisesfrom a slight misalignment between theshell holder and the die body. This can becaused by grit or a particle of powder inthe groove of the shell holder. Misalignmentcan also be caused when, in the caseof a tilted press, the case is able to tipslightly in the shell holder.If you neck-size your cases it is preferableto use a press that can be so adjusted(or is designed) so as to stand vertically.The RCBS Rock Chucker and RCBS Jr.,as well as a number of "H" type presses,are suited to vertical bullet seating. Verticalpositioning will minimize case tippingduring neck sizing. It should, however,be realized that no amount of correctalignment will compensate for theproblems attendant to the handloading ofirregularly drawn or misshapen cases.The handloader who is looking for giltedgedaccuracy from a handgun mighttake something from the book of thebenchrest enthusiast. These scrupulousindividuals will start with perhaps 200cases, firing them in small lots while allowinga cooling interval between shotstrings. Each time a shot goes out of themain group, that particular case is discarded.Then, with a minimum of 50tested cases, the search for the ultimatecombination of components and weightsbegins. It should be apparent that a questfor the ultimate in precision handloadscasts a responsibility on the experimenterto exercise the same care in assemblinghis ammunition as was used in the manufactureof his dies and loadingcomponents.. - ,. ,."NOBill Jordan tells it like it is inhis fascinating book about gunfighting, how to do it and whatequipment to use. Informativeand exciting reading.l GUNSl LOADSa LEATHERa FAST DRAW,COMBAT SHOOTINGGUNFIGHTINGSfteeMtgaw~ - All GUNS readers will receive aIpersonally autographed copy. Order yours today, and, , 1I - order one for a friend! 1I Please send me __ copy(ies) @ $6.50. plus SO$ (pel II book) for postage and handling.IIAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978,65I