Headspace

[bddc2012]

I am getting ready to prarie dog hunt this spring taking several rifles .223 , 22-250 , 25-06.
I have been reloading for over 30 years but am looking for opinions.
Majority of brass is once fired purchased some is fired from my rifles.
I am full length resizing every case do I really need to worry about headspace?????

Thanks

 

[22BRGUY]

JMHO but I would take one of the cases and fire it again twice in my rifle with neck sizing only. Then measure the headspace and subtract 2 thou from that number and check the rest of the cases against that number to decide if they need to bumped or resized according to that.
Best Wishes

 

[fdshuster]

"some is fired from my rifles". By that I take it to mean that some of it was fired in someone else's rifle(s)?

If that's true how do you know that brass fired in someone else's rifle does not have a longer headspace than what you have in your chamber? If it does, you will not be able to close the bolt.

If it were I, I would make sure the brass will fit your chamber before loading it. But, even if the headspace is correct, the case head diameter could be a larger diameter than what your chamber will accept. If that is the case, it may have to be sized using a small base die.

Whatever you do, chamber check the brass before loading.

p.s.: Good advice from 22BRGUY, but check case head diameter also.

 

[22BRGUY]

FD is right...need to check that also.

 

[gotcha]

Excellent choice of cartridges for short, medium & long range doggin'! Personally I'd want to set my dies for min. HS & single feed. Have you got a bump gauge? ( Hornady, Sinclair, Stoney point) Generally speaking the 22-250 brass is a bit thin causing the brass to separate at the web after a few firings particularly if your die is setting shoulders back more than necessary for your chamber. Before the advent of cartridge HS gauges I used 250 Savage brass necked down as it was more robust (thicker) If I was investing in a long trip & associated expenses I'd spend a few bucks on a gauge to assure consistency of all my loads. Just my .02

 

[bddc2012]

Thank you all for the opinions.