Brass Prep question

[SDDasher]

After spending the last two days preping brass I wandered across the thought of "how long before a match should/can you prep your brass; i.e., neck sizing using a Wilson die and bushing? I have read the threads on "cold fusion" but does brass remain inert after sizing the neck or do you loose something in doing it too soon before the big match on Saturday?
Some of you old timey purists must have an opinion on this issue. I know some shooters that load the night before the match to keep the loads "fresh" for the match.......sounds hoaky to me but hey if that makes you feel better who am I to question staying up until four in the morning loading for a big match?

 

[bdale]

I've loaded stuff as much as a month in advance of doing some load testing and didn't see any difference

 

[jbpmidas]

I try to not load too far in advance, but I have to load when I can. I know some HM shooters that load the night before. To me, this sport is all about confidence and if loading the night before boosts confidence, I'm all for it!

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Well, brass has a spring to it. My current theory is to resize the brass at least one week before loading it with powder and seating a bullet. By that time, I think the brass will have reached "equilibrium." I try to load/seat as close to a match as possible, but I don't care if the ammo has been loaded a month or two prior.

So for me, it's more about keeping the brass cleaned and sized way ahead of time.

 

[jbpmidas]

I do agree with that. I try to resize and clean my brass as soon after a match as I can. That usually happens within a week.

 

[SDDasher]

I guess I am more interested in how far in advance of a match is it alright to neck size your brass using a bushing and Wilson neck sizing die? This would allow me to make sure the primer pockets are all tight as well and all I would have to do the day or so before a match is throw the powder and seat the bullets. Any thoughts?

 

[jbpmidas]

I deprime, resize, clean, and reprime as soon after a match as I can, usually within a week.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Same here, but sometimes I take longer. I like to have the brass ready to load and seat as far ahead as possible. For my match rifles, I have several hundred cases each all cleaned, sized primed and waiting for powder and bullet. The week before a match, I will load up what is needed for the match.

 

[boltman13]

For my HP 223 cases I keep them in 100 count MTM boxes. I will clean, resize, trim, and clean primer pockets for each 100 case box and do most of it during the off season as I have time. I currently have 1,900 rounds in 19 boxes. Several days, to the night before a match I will load prime, add powder and bullet for all 100 rounds. I seldom use all 100 rounds in a match. If I do not use the remainder for practice I will take them to the next match along with a newly loaded 100 and use them first. I always use the same powder, primer and bullet, but the cases may be different. I never mix different cases in the same string or without getting my 2 sighters before I switch to a different case. Most of my HP matches are reduced course but for XC matches I have pre loaded 600 yd rounds longer than mag length that will last for several matches. For multi day matches I try to use up as much of each 100 round box as I can without changing brass without a sighter. For a CMP Leg Match I only use one case type for the 2-300 yrd strings.

 

[SDDasher]

Please, no disrespect for XTC shooters as I did that for many years, loading months ahead of going to Camp Perry and local matches. I was even guilty of shooting two different powders from 2-3 & 600 yds. So I have some experience with the .223 in a gas gun.
I am strictly interested in F Class Precision Long/Mid Range brass prep in a bolt gun for Regional/State championships. I am now retired and have all the time in the world to load rounds for matches and was wondering if there is any difference in accuracy (scientifically) because of time pre match the rounds are prepped/loaded?