I have to admit, I'm a good shot, but no benchrest through the same hole shooter. Sometimes! I have a question about something a one hole shooter who I know does. He separates his cases by rifle, and only shoots the same brass out of a single rifle, so they are always the same fire formed cases to that chamber. I never have done this, and frankly, an extra 1/8 inch doesn't matter much to me. But I did want feedback particularly regarding AR's which is all I shoot, on how this would affect accuracy? Also, I weighed each case, each bullet, and measured as exactly as my RCBS scale would allow me to, thinking that the final loaded weight would be the same. But it wasn't. It was off by two grains between fifty rounds, I figure because of the inherent inaccuracy of trying to figure out where the pointer is on my scale. I did my best, but still there was that small variation. If it is small. Any recommendations on a great scale/more digital and accurate? I also switched to using a caliper loading guage for my grendel, since they are so inherently accurate, and something that easy to duplicate faithfully is worth it to me. Thanks for your feedback.
Case Selection And Separation
- Thread starter writerman
- Start date
What are you refering to when you mention "an extra 1/8 inch doesn't matter much to me."
Your groups are great for an average AR15, i think.
Prep the brass first. Sort by 3/10 grains weight.
Measure powder to the 1/10 grs.
Buy match grade bullets. I dont weigh them.
I can do those 2" groups or better with my Grendel 22" JP Enterprises barrel and a Nightforce scope, consistently. I use Hornady ELD Match bullets, which do vary a grain or two in weight. Do you test for bullet depth? Seems like a lot of work working those ladders. I have found 26 grains of XBR 8208 to be the most accurate load for the 123 grain grendel, bar none. I have tried eight different powders or so. This is work! LOL! When I build my AR's I do everything I can or have found out about, or told, to increase accuracy before I fire a single shot. I have found these things help greatly. My next step is to get a harmonic barrel dampener. Someone said they help accuracy. I think so. I had a seven shot vertical string at 100 yards you could put a ruler edge against, and I figure with the dampener, that would have not happened. Thanks for your input.
yes. And used 4 different IMR powders. Different bullets. Keeps from getting bored in retirement.
I am not a bench rest shooter nor strive for the smallest groups. I am shooting at the varmint hunting accuracy levels.
I strongly believe in starting with virgin cases, dedicating them to a specific rifle, and rotating their use. The main reason I do this and always have done this is more for reliable functionality than for accuracy. This process produces more consistent optimum sizing thus not over or under sizing cases. It improves case life, mitigates head separation, and provides reliable functionality.
I have never done any testing to prove that this creates better accuracy, but it stands to reason that it would support improved accuracy, how much, I can't say since I never tested it.
I strongly believe in starting with virgin cases, dedicating them to a specific rifle, and rotating their use. The main reason I do this and always have done this is more for reliable functionality than for accuracy. This process produces more consistent optimum sizing thus not over or under sizing cases. It improves case life, mitigates head separation, and provides reliable functionality.
I have never done any testing to prove that this creates better accuracy, but it stands to reason that it would support improved accuracy, how much, I can't say since I never tested it.
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
First thing that concerns me is you are saying your scale is not that accurate
An RCBS 5-10 or similar should be accurate to 1/10th grain
mine is
check the balance blades where it pivots
Clean the pivot points, there may be a grain or two of powder in there
Take a knife sharpening stone and go over the blades until they are nice and sharp
if they have been pivoting on dust or powder grannules they may be rounded off or even flat
this will greatly improve your scale accuracy and is all that is needed for an accurate beam scale
---------------
I have an older Lyman that was having this problem of settling on erratic numbers
+3/10th
-1/10th etc
When I know when I use W-748 or similar Ball, it will pretty much throw exact same charges
Once I tuned the scale as I laid out, it is dead nuts every freakin time.
---------------
I dont personally like digitals, I like to see analog movement
it's actually quicker for me, because I can watch the upswing of the scale as I set the powder pan down and know Im within 1/10th just by how far it upswings before it settles and balances back out
So I don't have to wait for it to settle.
A digital may be nice if you're into splitting 1/10th grains or weighing other things
---------------
Or you may send your scale to me and I'll tune it up for you
An RCBS 5-10 or similar should be accurate to 1/10th grain
mine is
check the balance blades where it pivots
Clean the pivot points, there may be a grain or two of powder in there
Take a knife sharpening stone and go over the blades until they are nice and sharp
if they have been pivoting on dust or powder grannules they may be rounded off or even flat
this will greatly improve your scale accuracy and is all that is needed for an accurate beam scale
---------------
I have an older Lyman that was having this problem of settling on erratic numbers
+3/10th
-1/10th etc
When I know when I use W-748 or similar Ball, it will pretty much throw exact same charges
Once I tuned the scale as I laid out, it is dead nuts every freakin time.
---------------
I dont personally like digitals, I like to see analog movement
it's actually quicker for me, because I can watch the upswing of the scale as I set the powder pan down and know Im within 1/10th just by how far it upswings before it settles and balances back out
So I don't have to wait for it to settle.
A digital may be nice if you're into splitting 1/10th grains or weighing other things
---------------
Or you may send your scale to me and I'll tune it up for you
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@writerman, if you are satisfied with your results and they meet your exceptions then your process is meeting your requirements and as long as the reloads are safe then you are good. What a Benchrest shooters is trying to do is maintain consistency by keeping the cases consistent and minimizing any sizing differences. Remember he is probably shooting a rifle capable of 0.2MOA accuracy or better.
The only issue I would have is whether or not you are able to keep a round count on your cases.
The only issue I would have is whether or not you are able to keep a round count on your cases.
'round count' on cases.' Please explain the purpose. Thanks.
Simply how many times the case(s) have been loaded and fired. The problem is that if you are not keeping brass lots together and recording how many times they are loaded you have a situation where a case spilts/seperates/loses primer. You want to be able to sort out similar cases that may be about to fail.
Gotcha. Thanks. I keep on finding out good things to add to my reloading practices. Work. It's work. But worth it.
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