It’s not about a one-hole group. it’s about a very small little hole
The benefit of measuring and sorting provides custom controlled ammunition specifically suited for a particular firearm. It is the only way to ensure the best possible accuracy. Relying upon factory ammunition puts you totally at their mercy. The manufactures of ammunition must make their cartridges fit every chamber. Additionally, they have dimensional tolerances for their products. They are good, but not perfect and must be made to adapt. If you sort it will become quickly obvious that there is always some inconsistency in most factory-loaded ammunition. Usually, the more expensive ammunition is closely controlled. But considering the high volume manufacturing and multiple and duplicate tooling, some variation will exist. Utube shows how it’s made, dropped, tumbled, clashed together and then placed in nice plastic trays to protect them. The factories can’t tailor their ammunition for your particular equipment. Even the firearm manufacturers have dimensional tolerances and the equipment they sell falls into their acceptable dimensions. Modern ammunition is very good, but not good enough for target shooting or bench rest competition.
The 22LR ammunition used in the Olympics is custom and individually loaded to exacting measurements. These factories cannot afford any deviation in their ammunition as their reputation is at stake. However this ammunition is not available, nor could we afford it if it were. What is different about it? Custom-tailored for the firearm it is intended to be used in. Extreme accuracy in every aspect of the loading process. Even to the use of flat pointed bullets. Those of us that shoot cast bullets know flat-nosed bullets are more accurate with lower velocities. Some things are available to us that can get close to that Olympic ammunition by sorting. Still, we cannot get the measurement accuracy that these factories can, but we can make improvements over “Blind Trust”. For those that shoot 22LR rimfire or don’t reload measuring and sorting can identify potential inconsistencies. Some claim as much as 30% accuracy improvement can be accomplished. If you are a competitive shooter, consistency, proper chamber fit, controlled headspace, Ogive and Datum control, bullet jump, concentricity and extended case life is possible. Purchasing high-cost ammunition may provide improvements, but there is no guarantee that a flyer is not present.
MTC is offering a digital measuring/comparing stand that is similar to those used by machinists and inspectors. It is equipped with an electronic digital indicator that is height adjustable and switchable for reading in SAE or metric. They are accurate within SAE 0.0005 or Metric 0.01mm (.00034). The stand base is pre-configured for future offered attachment.
Since every firearm chamber is slightly different it is important to fit cartridges to the actual dimensions of your firearm’s chamber. A fire formed cartridge case can provide an almost exact copy of the chamber. Realizing that all metal has some spring back or memory, the fire formed case is the best we can do. Using this case as a standard to compare will enable the duplication or known adjustment related to setting up sizing dies. Controlling the chamber fit has a direct effect on case life and accuracy. Overall cartridge length is not a good measurement for accuracy. Ogive or the distance from the bullet diameter to the barrel rifling is a far better measurement. The MTC measuring/comparing stand provides consistent anvil pressure ensuring accurate measurement. The high-end micrometer has a ratchet to provide consistent measurement pressure. Without some pressure control, .001-.003 of an inch error can be realized. This is especially bad for soft lead bullets such as 22LR Rimfires.