Does it matter

[avidflyer]

I like to reload for a match the week of the match, everything is fresh and ready. Like everyone else sometimes it's a pain when work gets in the way. I see some load in the winter/spring for the entire year. I'd like to load some of my known match loads and see if there is any difference 6 months down the road...(fclass loads).

 

[ShootDots]

I have had situations arise that kept me from using my loaded rounds for several months at a time>>> I saw no difference in accuracy. However, if I load up KNOWING that I will not be shooting for over a month, I use a Q-Tip and swipe some Imperial Dry Neck Lube inside before seating the bullets. If that actually helps, I am not sure>>>but it can't hurt!

 

[watercam]

You can load your ammo well in advance with the bullets a tad long then simply seat to required depth just before you shoot the match. Powder and primers are not going to change and your neck tension is uniform.

 

[alf]

I used to be worried about loading too far in advance for my 1000 yard BR matches. That is until, at the first match of the year, I decided to not burn all the previous year's ammo up during the sighter period, and promptly shot a 3.XX" screamer group on the record target with it. After that, I loaded when I had the time, and not scrambling a day or two before the match day to do it.

That's why I'm not a proponent of s/s media brass cleaning. I shoot moly, and never touch/clean the carbon in the brass necks. I've pulled bullets from ammo that were loaded for 2 years with a pliers type puller, and never had a hint of bullet "welding".

 

[mr45man]

I shot some ammo about 3 yrs old. Small Odd lots
The wife and i went out and set up at an honest 200. It shot as good as ever.(used target)

 

[coford]

I like to load within a week of the match that is coming up. When preparing for the Nationals or BSN I load my ammo long and reseat my bullets to the proper length once I arrive at the range. I don't like loading more ammo than is needed or too far in advance as I like to adjust seating depth as throat erosion occurs. If the seating depth is set and the throat erodes I can't lengthen seating depth. I have played around with ammo that has set for several years in a 22-250 and some of the bullets stuck to the case neck more than others - can't say if accuracy was hurt as this was used for prairie dogs and not targets. I can't believe that a bullet sticking to the case neck wouldn't have some effect on accuracy but it could be very small.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The longer they sit the brass relaxes at different rates and bullets weld to the necks at different rates. F class probably wont make a difference but any kind of group shooting i wouldnt do it more than a week in advance

 

[gotcha]

I've had "welding" of necks on ammo I've stored in my garage in the humid south. Never had a problem with ammo stored inside with a heat and A/C controlled environment......Good idea to seat a bit long then double check with seating die to determine if any "welding" has taken place.

 

[Shaggy357]

Seems I can never find my boots when I need them.....

 

[XTR]

Jade laughs at the difference in the way we treat our loads. He treats his like precious cargo and then pushes all of his bullets back a few thou the night before he shoots. Last yr I loaded for 4 or 5 matches in advance (months ahead of time) and was riding all over the US with nearly 1000 rounds in the back of my truck. Mine do OK, he shot a national record at Phoenix.

It matters if you think it does, because it will cause you to question results on target. (I don't think it matters) I think loading long and pushing every thing back 5 tho the night before may not help, but it cant hurt either, and it gives you something to do in the motel.

 

[Darrel Martin]

Until recently ,I would have said it probably does not matter if the ammo sits a while. I have a 284 Shehane barrel that is a superb barrel. I had shot the last match in early October, and had 15 or so rounds left over.I put that barrel back on for our first match in April. While sighting it back in and checking out how it was shooting , I noticed that groups were definitely bigger ,though still shooting pretty good. I got out the labradar and velocity was about 2766 (this is a slow but accurate barrel). The usual velocity is 2710. I thought I needed to back my charge down as the barrel must have sped up. I dropped the charge down about .5 gr and it was too slow. When I went back to my usual load in freshly loaded brass ,it went right back to excellent groups at 2710.
A few weeks between matches did not seem to matter , but 6 or 7 months was definitely detrimental in this barrel.

 

[dcali]

I've shot fourteen year old reloads through a high power service rifle. I could detect no difference in accuracy or reliability, but that was a 1 MOA AR, not an F class or BR rig. They had been stored in various climates around the country. For what it's worth.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Heres a couple pics from some loads that were loaded for 2 weeks. Load ahead of time at your own peril is all i can say. And before anybody asks the necks were turned flawlessly and loaded with dry graphite lube and .003 neck tension. Corrosion starts the instant 2 differing metals come into contact. They were loaded with no seating tension differences but i seated some farther just for my own testing once i seen the damage and there was 20psi differences in pushing them .010 deeper before pulling

 

[JohnKielly]

Load ahead of time at your own peril is all i can say. And before anybody asks the necks were turned flawlessly and loaded with dry graphite lube and .003 neck tension.

A quick google around suggests that graphite encourages galvanic corrosion.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I dont doubt that. Most folks concerned with bullets sticking/leaving rounds loaded will have graphite, carbon (graphite residue) or both.

 

[Canadian bushman]

I ran really light neck tension on ammo for a rifle i used to have. One time i had loose bullets when i grabbed an old batch to go shoot. I could easily move the bullets by hand.

I dont know why this couldnt go the opposite way as well. Just be harder to tell.