[Jeff Higgins]

There is a level at which attention to detail at the loading bench reaps benefits at the range. When I was competing seriously in long range black powder cartridge rifle matches, I told everyone I was winning those matches in my basement. That was not far from the truth.

Beyond that certain level, however, one is just making extra work for one's self. With as much ammo as I reload and shoot every year, with the variety of calibers for which I currently reload, I have learned to pare things down to the basic necessities. No extra steps.

I've learned what is important and what just makes me feel better. I have rifles that are accurate enough to "deserve" some extra attention during the reloading process, but most are not. In other words, I might spend some extra time ensuring concentricy in my .220 Swift rounds meant for long range chuck or coyote shooting, but I'm not going to sweat that extra half MOA on one of my .375 H&H or .458 Winchester Magnum hunting rifles that will likely be pointed at something quite large and very close.

I reload mainly just as a hobby unto itself, and because I shoot a lot of calibers that are all but unavailable commercially today, or are quite expensive when found. All of my reloading is done on the one and only press I have ever owned, a single stage RCBS I bought when I was about 18 years old. If I were trying to keep some semi auto, like an AR-15 fed, I'm not so sure I would hand load for it. Maybe if I were to ever get back into NRA Highpower, but short of that, I think I would just buy whatever I can find the cheapest. I just couldn't get worked up over reloading for an AR-15 that I would just be taking to the gravel pit. Just not worth the time and effort.