case forming dumb question?

[2000TJ]

I bought some new Laupa brass for a 308 win. does it make sense to fire form these cases without a bullet prior to load development? Meaning should I expand the cases to the chamber before I dial in a load?

AND does anybody have any idea how to stop copper building up SO fast in a new Savage barrel, after five TSX rounds you can see copper streaks all the way through the barrel and accuracy goes to hell and these are not hot loads, I followed Barnes barrel break-in and cleaning instructions but??

Any help would be appreciated I have to dial in a load in two weeks to go on an Elk hunt, kind of frustrating...

Mike

 

[Travelor]

You should fire one round with a bullet prior to trimming and/or neck turning. I have found that the cases tend to shorten just a bit with the first firing.

As to bullet jacket fouling in a factory barrel - that is just how it is, sorry. I have had both good and bad Savage factory barrels but all of them had tooling marks and fouled. Most shot quite well. Might call Savage and see if they will take the gun back and check the barrel. My last gun, a 223 had to have the barrel replaced by the factory.

Another option would be to have a competent gunsmith diamond lap the barrel. We did this on one barrel and it helped. Here is a link to the very nice fellow that did it: http://www.lprgunsmith.com/index.htm . You might also have him do a little tuning and bedding at the same time. He has "built" two savages for me, one a 308 Palma gun and the other a switch barrel 6mmBR/223. They shoot VERY WELL.

George