Accurizing
Accurizing is the process of improving the accuracy of a firearm or airgun.
For firearms, accuracy is defined as the ability to hit exactly what one is aiming at. Further, accuracy and precision, or the ability to hit the same place over and over again in a repeatable fashion, are the goals of accurizing.
Accurizing generally concentrates on four different areas:
Usability: Enhancements that give the shooter a more consistent hold on the firearm, and a more consistent trigger pull.
Tolerances: Parts that fit together better will shift less or shift more consistently under recoil. Moving parts still have to move, however, and finding the right compromise is more art than science.
Harmonics: Barrels vibrate under the shock of firing. These vibrations can be minimized or tuned to minimize their impact on accuracy. Generally the harmonic effects are proportional to the square of the barrel length, and so are generally only of concern in rifles but not handguns.
Projectile propulsion consistency: Unlike firearms, airguns provide the propulsive force themselves, instead of relying on the ammunition as firearms do, the source of this power is open to accurizing operations along with the bullet itself. Consistent ammunition performance is extremely critical for accuracy with firearms, as well. While some manufacturers produce match-grade ammunition, it is common for high-precision shooters to handload their own ammunition.