Well, I’m sort of trying to return to ASSRA competition after several years of health and family issues. I’m working from memory here (admittedly sketchy) but Dave, I have to ask how a mechanical breech seater can be more accurate seating a bullet than a plugged case. Both carry the bullet to the chamber in the same specially prepared case. The bullet is then pushed forward into the lands and grooves by a rod, moved by either a lever and cam type arrangement or the forward motion of the rifle’s own breechblock. Not trying to be argumentative but genuinely curious… the push rod is captive in the case, so how can it seat the bullet any differently regardless of how it is pushed?
If I were starting fresh now with a CPA I’d be using a plugged case until I saw more need to buy an additional tool.
Just to throw a little more mud in the water, a simple push seater is sort of a combination of both methods and may predate both. This method works well for lots of folks, especially with a well fit bullet.
On the subject of bought vs self cast bullets, in my active years shooting, I routinely cast my own except when shooting “store bought” bullets for a product review. Of course I was always looking for that “magic bullet” that only shot centers, but I kept returning to a 200 gr Barnett bullet I got years ago from Keith Foster because it was too big for his needs and a venerable original 185 gr Ideal mould (319289) for bench and offhand respectively. I just couldn’t find anything I could shoot better. Just for the record, I’ve found I can get really nice bullets out of a Lee or RCBS bottom pour if I cast hot and fast.
To respond to the OP, I would suggest you look for a mentor to take you in tow and help you find one really good bullet and concentrate on maxing out your skills and the rifle’s potential. With the discontinuation of my two favorites,IMR 4759 for offhand and H-108 for bench, I would look at IMR 4227 to replace the former and Accurate #7 or #9 for the latter. Fortunately I have a lifetime supply of my two favorites stashed.
All for now. Welcome to the madness!
Froggie