In this episode of the Forster Products Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in reloading and gunsmithing: tolerances. From shoulder bump and seating depth to calipers, comparators, headspace gauges, and chamber dimensions, we discuss what measurements actually matter and where many shooters waste time chasing numbers that have little impact on performance.
Topics include:
• Shoulder bump tolerances and practical expectations
• Why consistency matters more than perfection
• Common mistakes reloaders make when setting up sizing dies
• How lube, brass condition, and tooling affect measurements
• Calipers, comparators, and measurement techniques
• Headspace gauges and chamber tolerances
• Seating depth variation and bullet consistency
• Virgin brass vs fired brass considerations
• How tolerances stack throughout the shooting system
• Real-world lessons from reloading and gunsmithing
Whether you're new to reloading or a seasoned competitor chasing every advantage, this conversation helps separate the variables that truly matter from the ones that simply create unnecessary frustration.
If you've ever wondered whether a thousandth of an inch really makes a difference, this episode is for you.
#Reloading #ForsterProducts #PrecisionRifle #Handloading #LongRangeShooting #PRS #Gunsmithing #ReloadingTips #PrecisionShooting #Headspace

Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

After a weekend at the K&M Precision Rifle Competition, we sat down to talk about something every shooter eventually faces: knowing the difference between an equipment problem and a shooter problem.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Lessons learned from competing at K&M
• Why perfect equipment doesn't guarantee perfect results
• The role confidence plays in competition shooting
• Reloading consistency and chasing accuracy
• Virgin brass vs fired brass considerations
• Why small groups at 100 yards don't always tell the whole story
• Common mistakes newer reloaders make
• How top shooters evaluate equipment and performance
• The mindset required to improve over time

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that while tools matter, the shooter is still one of the most important variables in the entire process.

Whether you're just getting started in reloading or you're chasing every last point at national-level matches, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experiences from the range.

Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

The 30 Whitetail has quickly become one of the most talked-about hunting cartridges in Illinois, and in this episode we sit down with Keith Miller, one of the cartridge's creators, to discuss exactly how it came to life.
We dive into the challenges of Illinois hunting regulations, why existing cartridge options left room for improvement, and how the 30 Whitetail was designed to deliver exceptional accuracy, low recoil, reliable terminal performance, and better overall hunting capability within Illinois' legal requirements.
We cover:
• The origin story of the 30 Whitetail
• Illinois cartridge restrictions and how the design fits within them
• Brass forming and reloading considerations
• Powder selection and velocity testing
• Bullet performance and hunting results
• Real-world deer hunting experiences
• Why youth hunters are seeing success with the cartridge
• Accuracy, recoil, and long-term development plans
Whether you're a serious deer hunter, a reloader, a precision rifle shooter, or simply curious about the cartridge that's generating so much attention across Illinois, this episode provides a complete look at the design philosophy, testing process, and performance behind the 30 Whitetail.
If you've been considering a 30 Whitetail build, this is the episode you don't want to miss.


Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

SHOT Show 2026 gave us the chance to sit down with some of the people helping shape the future of precision rifle shooting, reloading, competition, and manufacturing.

This episode is a collection of conversations from throughout the week covering:
• The future of PRS and long range shooting
• Reloading innovation and new product development
• Suppressors and evolving match trends
• Manufacturing, engineering, and behind-the-scenes product design
• Industry growth and where the shooting sports world is headed next
• Insights from companies like Forster, Dillon, PRS, and more

From competition shooting to reloading processes and product development, there’s a lot changing in the industry right now — and this episode captures a wide range of perspectives from the people building it.


Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

What actually goes into hitting targets at 2 miles… or even 3?
In this episode, Chase Stroud breaks down the world of Extreme Long Range shooting — from load development and neck tension to moisture in powder, ballistic solvers, SDs, and the tiny variables that separate a miss from a first-round impact.
We also dive into:
• The development of the Forster XL Press
• Why shoulder bump matters more at long distance
• How humidity affects velocity and consistency
• Why ELR shooters obsess over SDs
• The difference between light division and heavy division rifles
• Ballistic solvers, Kestrels, and accurate firing solutions
• Why most shooters underestimate the importance of brass prep
If you’re into precision shooting, reloading, ELR, PRS, or ballistic science… this one goes deep.

Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

What’s the best way to develop an accurate rifle load?

In this episode of the Forster Podcast, Kelly breaks down his repeatable engineering-based approach to precision reloading and load development.

Instead of randomly changing components and hoping for results, he explains why treating reloading like a science experiment leads to more consistent accuracy, better groups, and less frustration.

The conversation covers:
• How to properly test powder charge weights
• Why changing multiple variables ruins load development
• Finding barrel “sweet spots” and harmonic nodes
• Chronographs vs real-world group shooting
• Why good components matter
• Long-range testing strategies
• How top shooters simplify the process

Whether you’re new to reloading or trying to tighten your groups at distance, this episode gives a practical framework you can actually apply.

Most reloaders don’t have an accuracy problem…

They have a complexity problem.

In this episode, we break down a real scenario from a shooter trying to control every single variable — neck tension, seating pressure, reaming, powder compression… everything.

And ironically?

That’s exactly what was hurting his results.

We get into:

• Why chasing perfect data can actually make things worse
• The truth about seating pressure, neck tension, and “donuts”
• What actually matters when your rifle isn’t shooting
• Why top shooters simplify instead of complicate
• How to troubleshoot accuracy without going down a rabbit hole
  
  At the end of the day…
  Better shooting doesn’t come from doing more.
  
  It comes from doing what matters.

In this episode, we break down what actually matters in reloading—and what doesn’t.
From brass consistency…to annealing…to common myths that get passed around the shooting world—this conversation challenges a lot of what people believe.
We get into:

• Why consistency matters more than anything
• The truth about annealing (and when it actually matters)
• Common reloading myths that waste time and hurt performance
• How small variables impact your accuracy
• Why confidence in your system changes everything

There’s no shortage of opinions in reloading…but very few people are testing what actually works.
If you reload—or want better performance—this is a conversation you need to hear.