groups of different size ?

[rebs]

I weigh my cases and bullets and hand measure every powder charge. I neck size the brassafer complete cleaning including primer pockets. When I seat the bullets I can feel a difference, sme seat firmer than some others. Now when I shoot them I get a five shot group that can be covered with a quarter at 200 yards but the next group will be bigger and the next bigger then I shoot one that is under a quarter again. Like no consistency or very little. Can this be attributed to neck tension since some bullets seat easier than others ? If thats the case how can I get more consistency ? This is 223 being shot from a Tikka T3x varmint.
It could always be the case that it is just my shooting.

 

[BartsBullets]

I weigh my cases and bullets and hand measure every powder charge. I neck size the brassafer complete cleaning including primer pockets. When I seat the bullets I can feel a difference, sme seat firmer than some others. Now when I shoot them I get a five shot group that can be covered with a quarter at 200 yards but the next group will be bigger and the next bigger then I shoot one that is under a quarter again. Like no consistency or very little. Can this be attributed to neck tension since some bullets seat easier than others ? If thats the case how can I get more consistency ? This is 223 being shot from a Tikka T3x varmint.
It could always be the case that it is just my shooting.

Are you Shooting with wind flags?
I shoot full blown Custom 6ppcs and the same thing will happen to me if I don’t have wind flags. Yes there is always wind and it moves the bullet a lot more than most shooters realize.

I doubt it’s your reloading.
Bart

 

[Fotheringill]

All other variables aside, are you using a front rest with some sort of clamping devices? If so, try the same rest with the clamps not touching the sides of the stock or the barrel at all.

 

[rebs]

Thank you for the replies, I am using a caldwell from rest with rear bag, nothing clamping

 

[CharlieNC]

Normal shooter variability is a lot of it. But I would segregate those with obvious differences in seating force to compare on the target for impact.

 

[Bc'z]

I weigh my cases and bullets and hand measure every powder charge. I neck size the brassafer complete cleaning including primer pockets. When I seat the bullets I can feel a difference, sme seat firmer than some others. Now when I shoot them I get a five shot group that can be covered with a quarter at 200 yards but the next group will be bigger and the next bigger then I shoot one that is under a quarter again. Like no consistency or very little. Can this be attributed to neck tension since some bullets seat easier than others ? If thats the case how can I get more consistency ? This is 223 being shot from a Tikka T3x varmint.
It could always be the case that it is just my shooting.

I didn't see where your annealing cases.
You said you could feel the difference in seating force.
So yes you have varried neck tension, which will effect accuracy

 

[Texas10]

Try a better rear bag and shooting free recoil. Worked for my 223. I only neck size my 223 brass and if you don't anneal, it'll gradually work harden to the point that spring back becomes very predictable and your groups will become more consistent. At the other end of that is annealing after each loading to achieve consistency. Are you using a chronograph?

You can also relegate your noticeably different seating bullets to warm up only.

 

[duanepa]

I use a lefty lucy, righty tighty segregation when seating and keep them separated in my ammo box. Better than nothing at all, i.e. total random mix. I don't know if it works. I want to think the buttery ones will shoot better.

 

[rebs]

I didn't see where your annealing cases.
You said you could feel the difference in seating force.
So yes you have carried neck tension, which will effect accuracy

what do you mean "carried neck tension " ?

 

[Bc'z]

what do you mean "carried neck tension " ?

Freaking smart phones are stupid.
Should have read varried neck tension.
I'll fix it.

 

[rebs]

How do you get away from varried neck tension ?

 

[BoydAllen]

IMO if you are not using some sort of wind flags, you are urinating into the breeze trying to shoot consistent groups at 200...seriously.

 

[INTJ]

Last year I annealed after every firing with my AMP with AZTEC machine. I had reasonably consistent neck tension—as measured by a Hydo Seater, for the entire NBRSA long range BR season. This year I tired not annealing at all, and I have achieved at least as good of neck tension. When I went to the proper sized expander in my custom Whidden FL die, seating my non-annealed cases was more consistent.

I also have been using brass this season that I annealed once after the first firing. It has taken them about three firings with no annealing to start seating as consistently as my non annealed cases.

So it’s worked both annealed and non-annealed for me.

To the OP. You also might want to ditch the neck sizing did and start bumping the shoulders about .002”. That seems to result in the smallest groups for the 600 and 1000 yd BR shooters, for whom long range group size is everything.

 

[BartsBullets]

How do you get away from varried neck tension ?

You can anneal cases which helps. Guys are using arbor seaters that have Pressure gauges to separate brass. What a lot here DONT realize is at 100 and 200 neck tension is way down on the list as far as accuracy is concerned!

Bart

 

[Bc'z]

A drill n torch.
I had the same problem a few months ago.
Socket extension chucked up in drill to fit case.
I aim for neck shoulder junction at same angle and distance, counting 1 one thousand.
6.5/260 8 count, 06' 10 count, 223 5 count
Do it in a low lit room so you can see necks just start to glow.
You dont want them cherry red!!!!!
It ain't perfect but it works.
Practice on some scrap brass to develop your rythm.

 

[Homerange]

How do you get away from varried neck tension ?

If you're using a LCD set it up using the Valentine method of cam over that helps with a more consistent neck tension than the LEE 'by feel' method.

 

[RGRobinett]

Are you Shooting with wind flags?
I shoot full blown Custom 6ppcs and the same thing will happen to me if I don’t have wind flags. Yes there is always wind and it moves the bullet a lot more than most shooters realize.

I doubt it’s your reloading.
Bart

Presuming a constant perpendicular vector (angle), a measly 1 mile-per-hour velocity change (200 Yd.) will move your bullet approximately 0.4". So, if the operator missed a 1 MPH, or the equivalent thereof (in velocity or, vector), using a rifle capable of averaging 0.000" (every group - NO throwaways), the result would be a 0.4" group (roughly 0.20MOA)!
The BIG DOGS of point-blank BR are crazy good wind flag, and mirage readers (dopers) - to the fraction of a MOA! Consistent , "cover with a quarter" (about 1/4th MOA) groups, at 200 Yd., is not an easily attainable goal - if you could average that, you could collect a LOT of fake wood at BR tournaments! RG

 

[Homerange]

I weigh my cases and bullets and hand measure every powder charge. I neck size the brassafer complete cleaning including primer pockets. When I seat the bullets I can feel a difference, sme seat firmer than some others. Now when I shoot them I get a five shot group that can be covered with a quarter at 200 yards but the next group will be bigger and the next bigger then I shoot one that is under a quarter again. Like no consistency or very little. Can this be attributed to neck tension since some bullets seat easier than others ? If thats the case how can I get more consistency ? This is 223 being shot from a Tikka T3x varmint.
It could always be the case that it is just my shooting.

BTW, what twist rate is your T3 ?
Projectile weight ?

 

[mike a]

You can anneal cases which helps. Guys are using arbor seaters that have Pressure gauges to separate brass. What a lot here DONT realize is at 100 and 200 neck tension is way down on the list as far as accuracy is concerned!

Bart

That's a relief! I found myself a slave to annealing every shot. What a pita! I stopped it just recently, my neck tension isn't as consistent but my accuracy doesn't seem to be suffering. At least at short range. Mike

 

[INTJ]

That's a relief! I found myself a slave to annealing every shot. What a pita! I stopped it just recently, my neck tension isn't as consistent but my accuracy doesn't seem to be suffering. At least at short range. Mike

With the AMP annealing is fast and easy, I just haven’t seen where it makes any difference......