fire forming rifle brass

[bobcat93]

I was board at work today and I got to thinking about the fire forming process.. I'm getting a new barrel on my rifle. It was a 223 rem and now it will be 223 rem improved 40° shoulder. Here are my thought.
1) after reading fire forming process on this web site. What method would you use to fire form cases. Corn meal or bullet with a new barrel?
2) my thinking is; I could get a better formed case with bullets during barrel break in. If I adhere to the shoot one and clean barrel. What if I was to put sizing wax on the neck/shoulder and wipe the rest of the case with a cleaning patch with parts/break cleaner and then fire case. Clean barrel/chamber and repeat process.
I would think if the chamber is clean and the case is clean then it would eliminate bolt pressure, and the sizing wax will help to get a good fire form.
Just some thought or is the wax completely unnecessary? Seems like a good idea to me.
With the 223 rem. To 223 improved I realize there isn't a dramatic change in cases, and I plan to fire form 100 cases during my break in process. I just think the corneal process is better left for major case transformation.
Let me know if you have tried this or any other thought
Thanks .. Bobcat93

 

[Steve Blair]

I break in a barrel by shooting it. One of my best barrels was broken in by shooting 150 rounds without cleaning. [br]
Develop a load for fire forming just as you would with resized brass. Fire forming loads can be very accurate and are usable for almost anything from matches to hunting. Then, just go shoot and fire form at the same time.

 

[jonbearman]

The fireform process with most ackley cartridges is load and shoot the parent cartridge and shoot for accuracy as during the blowout process it will still shoot real well if you have a really decent barrel.I tend to seat into to the lands and shoot a regular load and it will form nicely.Leaving the bullet into the lands will insure there isnt a headspace problem.

 

[bobcat93]

I plan to load into lands so case it tight against bolt..it just seems that it could help the process and creat less stress on the case ..I also anneal my cases ..but maybe its a wast of time lubeing neck and shoulder..just an idea I had

 

[Judd]

When you lube a case for forming in a die it isn't to make it form easier it is to keep it from getting stuck in the die. That is resizing from outside fireforming is from inside. All lube will do is spike your pressure. I wouldn't do it personally and I'd just shoot it.

Good luck.

 

[Shynloco]

When you lube a case for forming in a die it isn't to make it form easier it is to keep it from getting stuck in the die. That is resizing from outside fireforming is from inside. All lube will do is spike your pressure. I wouldn't do it personally and I'd just shoot it.

Good luck.

Pay attention to what Judd just wrote. Having lube on a casing inside a chamber and firing it is a great way to RUIN NEW BRASS. You could end up with dimples around the neck shoulder area thx to the sizing wax. Not a good idea in my book. Just load your new brass with a midrange load and bullets and shoot them.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

If the chamber is done correctly, there is no need for jamming the bullets or lubing cases, or any of that. There is SUPPOSED to be a slight crush fit of a standard cartridge in an Ackley chamber. Just keep the bolt lugs lubed well during fireforming, to prevent galling.

 

[Three44s]

I don't think jonbearman was refering to jamming the bullets into the lands but rather contact and thus support.

I do that on my 7mm TCU to create more cases.

Best regards

Three 44s

 

[gotcha]

Agree with gunsandgunsmithing. If rifle is head spaced properly you will have .002" to .003" crush fit of parent case to AI chamber. Take a .223 case and scruff neck shoulder junction with steel wool and chamber. the crush fit will be evident as a bright shiny spot at nk./shoulder jct. Fire forming loads will have significantly lower pressure/velocity. A Max load for the PARENT case will F/F nicely and most likely be very accurate. At least this has been my experience w/ AI's. Have fun