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How many fire new brass in a match ?

It has been my experience that "lightly or barely" prepped VIRGIN brass will not shoot quite as well as very well prepped VIRGIN brass. If all you do is turn the necks and run the brass into a mandrel and or sizer and load them, they will shoot okay, fairly good in fact. However, I have found that if you turn the necks, ANNEAL the brass (Yes, anneal new brass) then run them back thru a mandrel, apply Imperial Dry Neck Lube, charge and seat the bullet, the VIRGIN brass will shoot right with once fired brass no problem. The annealing process, I believe, is necessary and the application of the dry neck lube REALLY helps in consistent seating. I have shot several "cleans" at various distances with new / virgin brass that has been annealed and the lube utilized.
 
I actually was going to run them through the expander again...but didn't even ponder annealing. I'll give that a try. I anneal every firing now so it's not a big deal running the new ones. I've not used dry lube before...but it arrived today. Any tips for applying the dry lube? Thanks for the annealing tip !!

Edit: This is 308 Win Lapua Palma brass if anyone wanted to know what I'm using.
 
rmist said:
I actually was going to run them through the expander again...but didn't even ponder annealing. I'll give that a try. I anneal every firing now so it's not a big deal running the new ones. I've not used dry lube before...but it arrived today. Any tips for applying the dry lube? Thanks for the annealing tip !!

Edit: This is 308 Win Lapua Palma brass if anyone wanted to know what I'm using.
Click to expand...
I use a Q-Tip to apply it in the neck, then tap the case with my finger to let the excess fall out. Other than that, you are on your way to excellent "unfired" brass! Remember, heat moves metal (just ask any welder), brass is no different. That's why I run them back thru the mandrel..
 
Thanks again everyone who threw their advice, tips, and experience !! If anything else...please by all means let-er' rip !!
 
I have shot my highest scores, including my only 200, at 600 yds F/TR with unfired brass. I wish I could shoot it every match.
 
Couple of years ago the Scottish National Team came to Sacramento Valley for a visit for a March Madness Regional. They had to use factory Palma loads (which are made with good components) as they were not able to bring their own. They proceeded to mop the floor with most of us and gave everyone some very stiff competition. They of course won as well (at least in the coat and sling crowd). I stopped worrying about shooting new brass in matches after that. F-Class? Well that might be a different story.
 
Had a 6BR UBL that a fellow fired in a 1000yd team match. He was firing my forming loads (new brass) as I coached him. He shot the only 200 of his life and eventually bought the rifle :)

As an aside. When I shot sling, my best scores/X-counts in Palma or 1000yds came with virgin cases.
 
At a minimum run new brass over an expander mandrel, otherwise you get ridiculous neck tension.
 
I shoot new brass in mid range matches to fire form. Like others have said, with all that we do to prep brass these days, for the exception of "more" consistent neck tension, new brass isnt too far off from fire formed. But, I have shot my best scores and had my tightest vertical with fire formed brass
 
Ive shot three or four 800 out of 800 at 600 yd fclass fireforming shehane brass. One was a 800 and around 55x fireforming shehane brass in a new barrel that had 3 rounds total through it before the match. The first relay with it was 200-17x. Also a couple years before that I led the spirit of america match the whole time until the last relay with new unfired 284 win brass, ended up 2nd. I think with properly prepped virgin brass your good to go.
 
That is my break in. LOL. It cleaned up in a couple patches also. I haven't "properly" broken in a barrel in probably 6 years. Theyve all shot great and cleaned up quick. Ive since come to the conclusion I don't want to waste a whole day cleaning and a bunch of rounds on every barrel breaking in when it hasn't done anything magical for me ;) They have all been brux barrels.
 
rmist said:
Here's the card...I couldn't help sharing...I'm very HAPPY !!!

Click to expand...

Very nice, indeed. Congratulations, and well done! What were the match and rifle-specifics? Inquiring minds want to know :). Regardless, definitely enjoy the clean, they're tough to come by!
 
This was shot today at New Holland Pistol and Rifle club, PA. This was a 3x600 match. . Rifle is a Borden BRM, PR&T Low Boy stock, 30 " Kreiger 10 twist, Lapua Palma brass, CCI 450 primers, Varget, 185 gr. Juggernauts, NF 15x55 , smithed by Sid Goodling. New Holland puts a on a great monthly match. Which gets attendance from several neighboring states.
 
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