Working up loads with new brass...Then what?

[fatelvis]

If you bought a few hundred new Lapua cases, and began working up loads by increasing powder charges until they showed pressure,yadda yadda yadda, do you include that "test brass" in your final trusted brass for competition? I'm asking because I'm wondering if the pieces that endured higher pressure would be expanded, blown out, or otherwise made different than the "virgin brass" that wasn't used in testing. Just want to see what the majority of you guys do..... Thanks

 

[riflewoman]

Provided the primer pockets are still tight, I don’t see why not. Most BR competitors shoot loads well above max at who knows what pressure. They work. So load ‘em and choot ‘em. If they perform they perform.

 

[fatelvis]

I should rephrase one of my comments:
Just want to see what the majority of you SHOOTERS do... Lol
As always, Thanks Riflewoman

 

[Drop Port]

Provided the primer pockets are still tight, I don’t see why not. Most BR competitors shoot loads well above max at who knows what pressure. They work. So load ‘em and choot ‘em. If they perform they perform.

This as long as you understand pressure signs and don't lock it up like a seized engine

 

[dogdude]

Test brass is for ''testing'', Match brass for matches..keep them separated.

 

[JFrank]

I’m always in the minority or black sheep. (I keep um separate,) but I also couldn’t shoot the difference and don’t know anyone that can, they’ll all be the same after a couple firings.
Flame on
J

 

[Ned Ludd]

Some shooters separate cases that underwent markedly differential pressures on the first firing (or subsequent firings). There can be a slight different in internal volume, although it is not typically very large as a percentage of the total unless the pressure differential is very large. How much the difference in case volume may be will depend on the the total pressure differential, and where the lowest pressure loads were with respect to MAX pressure.

For F-Class loads, I don't worry about the pressure differential and treat all the cases identically after the first firing, regardless of whether they were used in a charge weight test series, or were loaded to [relatively] equal pressure for some other test. BR shooters, or some other discipline, may give a very different response. I'd tailor my approach based on what knowledgeable shooters in the same discipline you intend to participate are doing.

 

[243winxb]

Most BR competitors shoot loads well above max at who knows what pressure.

And scrap the brass after as little as 3 firings.

 

[JFrank]

And scrap the brass after as little as 3 firings.

Who does that ??

 

[ebb]

I have a friend that sets 20 aside to test with, he calls them lab rats.

 

[Mulligan]

I have a friend that sets 20 aside to test with, he calls them lab rats.

Exactly
I abuse the stink out of my test brass, no way in the world I would put them back in the mix.
I have tested it, even at 600, abused brass stands out.
CW

 

[JMayo]

6mmbra, I've not gone to the extreme of over pressure. I started working up, found a load that worked and stopped.
I see no reason to get as close to blowing one up as I can without doing so.
I got 200 lapua cases. I went through them all then started over. I've gone through them all about 20 times +. I've only lost a couple due to screw ups reloading.
I got a new 200 when I got a new barrel. Went right back to the same load. Now i am going through them all then starting over once I've done so. So far 8-10 times.
I anneald the old brass and can't tell one from the other any more. They had gotten hard. I make my sighters with them.
I use fishing lure boxes to rotate my cases orderly through the compartments. About 40 match and 30 sighters a match.

 

[tmwinds]

100 pieces of new Lapua brass will wear a barrel out if you anneal the brass every 2-3 firings and don't do something crazy. I have 6BR brass that has over 30 firings and is still good. Most brass failure is because of oversizing sizing. You need a die that sizes the minimum amount necessary for a good fit in the chamber and easy extraction.

 

[Bc'z]

Who does that ??

I would have if I shot the next charge weight up!!

 

[Mulligan]

I would have if I shot the next charge weight up!!

Those primers still have a radius around the edge, she ain’t winking yet!
Might want to get that bolt bushed tho.
CW

 

[Bc'z]

Those primers still have a radius around the edge, she ain’t winking yet!
Might want to get that bolt bushed tho.
CW

Shipping to Carlsbad on Tuesday along with a m70 bolt for my budy.
That was 61gr rl26 behind a 200gr claymore
Cci250's.
QL said 63.2 max charge, I don't think my rifle read the QL data.

 

[Bc'z]

Those primers still have a radius around the edge, she ain’t winking yet!
Might want to get that bolt bushed tho.
CW

Ran velocity check this morning 2886fps av

I'd say she's winking real hard to get my attention.

 

[rsmithsr50]

not....
really depends on the load but an entire match is the shortest I have seen.
that is 5 x at 100 five times and then in the next gun( which is often the same gun) and then redo at 200 yards.
that is 20 reloads....not three, and not everyone shoots so close to the top that they trash the brass at one weekend.

And scrap the brass after as little as 3 firings.

 

[rsmithsr50]

that is not a BENCHREST cartridge.

I would have if I shot the next charge weight up!!

 

[rsmithsr50]

quickload is a TOOL
like any tool it is only as good as the USER.
did you have the same:
lot of powder as ql "
the same lot of brass as ql ?
the same bbl/rifle as ql ?
the same primer as ql ?(they do not list them)

Shipping to Carlsbad on Tuesday along with a m70 bolt for my budy.
That was 61gr rl26 behind a 200gr claymore
Cci250's.
QL said 63.2 max charge, I don't think my rifle read the QL data.