.308 - Fireform or straight from the box?

[FTRinTexas]

I am a F-T/R shooter with custom action and using Winchester brass. In the past, I full length size and go shoot. Do others shooters fireform their new brass or just go shoot? If fireform, what process do you use?

 

[effendude]

Here's what I do with my new brass...
Full Length resize before the first firing to iron out any bent/out of round necks.
Chamfer inside of necks for ease of bullet seating.
Uniform primer pockets
Deburr flash holes on long range hunting and match brass if not Lapua/Norma
Load and fire.

After brass has been shot the first time, it will be fireformed to your chamber.
Deprime with universal decapper.
Then I neck size/shoulder bump with the decap/expander ball pin removed as this really seems to help with runout and consistency.

It usually takes several firings to grow the brass to where trimming is needed, but you need to watch length.

Range time is precious. Make holes inpaper everytime you can. Most load development can be done while shooting new brass.
Good Luck,
Scott

 

[nfhjr62]

Haven't shot F Class but when i was shooting my 30/06 Match rifle X/C and using new virgin brass i would visually check the case and if needed chamfer the mouth if needed

 

[1000yardstare]

Think I have finally found a backup F Class rifle that I am happy with, a Savage M12 VLP in .308 for F/TR , fluted stainless barrel, laminated stock, pillar bedded.

This means fireforming 300 pieces of low time Winchester .308 brass used in various other rifles. Have already processed the brass when new as per Effendude.

Had a 500 yard F Class practise this past Saturday, 9C (48F), 15 click wind from 8 o`clock. Didn`t snow until we were finished. Gotta love that Canadian Spring. Anyhooo, tried 168 Nosler Competitions for the first time over a load of RL15. Shot a 50-6V on the DCRA target. Was happy with that given the conditions.

Totally agree with Scott on fireforming at an actual F Class practise. Do the same with my 6AI. At the very least it gives you practise in reading the wind, the most important part of any competition.