How Far Into Lands- Fire Forming

[Gergg]

I am getting ready to load some .220 Russian cases that I have prepped for fire-forming, I measured(assuming correctly) that the overall length of the loaded round just touching the lands is 2.130".....My question is how much longer than the 2.130" should I seat the bullets for this first firing? I've talked to guys at the range saying .125 longer than just touching is good for fire-forming, just wanted to see what you guys think? That seems like a long way to squeeze a bullet in there after touching.

 

[jonbearman]

Maybe another .010 but an 1/8th of an inch wouldn't work with anymore neck tension than say.001 of an inch.That way you can soft seat to jam and fireform.

 

[gotcha]

[quote That seems like a long way to squeeze a bullet in there after touching. First, I agree with you Gergg. With sufficient neck tension you will likely be unable to close your bolt. On extraction you'll leave the bullet jammed in the rifling and powder through out your action. I'd suggest you jam about .005" and measure from ogive to base using a Hornady LNL bullet comparator tool or similar. Factory bullets can easily vary .012" in length out of the same box which will compound your problems when measuring from the tip. ......... Any questions? Just fire away. Lotsa' guys here to help you out

 

[BoydAllen]

Use at least .003 neck tension, and load them .015 longer than touch. The bolt will probably have some resistance, but if your lugs have a light film of bolt grease on their back sides, no worries. What powder and bullet are you using?

 

[Gergg]

Use at least .003 neck tension, and load them .015 longer than touch. The bolt will probably have some resistance, but if your lugs have a light film of bolt grease on their back sides, no worries. What powder and bullet are you using?

I was using a dummy round at .002 tension today, seated approx. .015 long and the bullet pushed back into the neck around .005. I am going to use LT-32 with Bart's 68g FB Ultras.

 

[BoydAllen]

As long as you go ahead and fire your fire forming rounds after chambering, you should be OK. It is probably true that with that powder you will have no need of .003 neck tension for your regular loads, and .002 should work for fire forming. I was just trying to give you more secure control of case stretch during fire forming. If you want seat .012 longer than touch that should be just fine as well, just don't unload them after they are chambered. You might pull a bullet in the process.

 

[ALBULLET]

For sure like Boyd says. Once you close the bolt to fire form that brass with the bullet seated deep into the lands. Don't try to open the bolt with out firing..
You will feel the pressure of the bullet seating itself into the land or pressure of the bullet being seated deeper into the brass. Don't be too aggressive closing the bolt if the pressure is great. Your head space can occasionally be too long causing a crush, and very tight fit. Full length sizing your turned brass will assure You that any stiff bolt closing is from the long seated bullet. Like Boyd mentioned ; KEEP UR BOLT LUGS LUBED .

 

[bozo699]

Gergg,
My best advice..............Follow Boyd Allen's advice to the letter, con him outta his phone number and he will have u dialed and shooting competitive groups in no time, if your equipment is up to par.
Wayne.