Accurize then find load or find load then accurize?

[awp101]

Got to thinking about this last night and I wonder if it's not a chicken and egg thing.

If you accurize the rifle first, it's probably easier to find a good load yet it seems to me that if you find a good load there's probably less accurizing that needs to be done.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other or am I all wet?

[quickdtoo]

I make sure the forend fits well, not too tight, then work up a load or if you don't handload, try different ammo to see what shoots best, then make further modifications if needed. But 9 times out of 10, it will shoot well without much work. Shooting the load without the forend on as noted in the Handi Basics will tell you if the forend needs work, you can find out with one 3-shot group. 

Tim

[awp101]

Makes sense.  I know about the forearm trick but I usually need more than one three shot group to eliminate the loose trigger nut.

This was just one of those things that comes to mind just before you drop off to sleep.  My mind may not work correctly much of the time but it rarely shuts off...

[quickdtoo]

In that case, one carefully shot 3-shot group. 

Tim

[PHATINJUN]

First thing I do is clean them really good then shoot them with known factory ammo maybe a doz times and see where I'm at don't make sence to do a bunch of work that might not need to be done. Kurt

[AtlLaw]

Over the years I developed a routine with bolt guns; things I do to just about all of them as a matter of course.  After getting more into handi's I'm also developing a routine for them, just different things that can be done at different times for different reasons/problems!   

That said I always shoot a new rifle first.  It may shoot great - no problem; or minute of deer - good enough for now; or never touched paper - need to do something quick!  You never know 'till you get some rounds down range!   

So, while I may always do certain things to my bolt guns, with handi's I take more of a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude.   

[awp101]

First thing I do is clean them really good then shoot them with known factory ammo maybe a doz times and see where I'm at don't make sence to do a bunch of work that might not need to be done. Kurt

True, I was going on the assumption of a rifle one is already familiar with and wanted more/better accuracy.

That's what I get when I think others can read my mind...