New Brass During Load Development

[SealT5]

Hello all. First post on here. Long time Snipershide user and even longer lurker of AS.com. Idk like to share my latest brain fart. I've been shooting 6.5x47 for a good little bit. Bought 200rds of factory ammo to get me shooting during the shortage of brass. So naturally when I started load development I had once fired brass. I sold my match rifle to fund a Bighorn TL3 6.5x47. But just built a 16" 6.5x47 for predator hunting. Shoots .3moa with zero effort. So now your up to speed.

I purchased 500pcs of new Lapua brass. I'd like to utilize 100 of those for my hunting rifle. Do you think I will notice a "large" difference with the new brass? Should I load some cheap rounds to obtain fired brass and then determine any differences between the two lots of brass?

I've told myself and my wife that I will not obsess over accuracy with this rifle. I won't lose any sleep over .5moa. Humane kills are priority number 1.

Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I've never mixed brass and would like to avoid wasting components. Thanks

God bless
Joe

 

[Auto-X Fil]

Do you always full-length resize? If so, the only difference you'll see if due to the neck. I find that new Lapua brass in particular is gummy and neck tension and friction can be inconsistent. I neck-size and chamfer new brass, but accuracy is never as good as once it's fired.

But, I've never found a difference in load development. Groups snug up a little the next time, but it's still the same node and same seating depth.

 

[rardoin]

Do you always full-length resize? If so, the only difference you'll see if due to the neck. I find that new Lapua brass in particular is gummy and neck tension and friction can be inconsistent. I neck-size and chamfer new brass, but accuracy is never as good as once it's fired.

But, I've never found a difference in load development. Groups snug up a little the next time, but it's still the same node and same seating depth.

^^^^^^^ Particularly if these are to be hunting rounds.

 

[hogpatrol]

I run new brass, any brand, through a full length resize button die to straighten out the necks and make them all uniform. Inside neck chamfer, check primer pockets, load and shoot.

 

[HTSmith]

Do you think I will notice a "large" difference with the new brass? Should I load some cheap rounds to obtain fired brass and then determine any differences between the two lots of brass?

Just one person's experience and opinion, but No and No would be my answers. I can stay under .3 MOA with both a 6BR and a 260 Rem using new Lapua brass, with rounding the necks on a Lee collet mandrel being the only brass preparation step.

 

[mikecr]

When you change brass brands, it can affect load performance, fire formed or not.
And fire formed load performance can change from new.
A golden rule in reloading is to work up with a change like this.

I think you already know this, and want someone to tell you it's ok to do otherwise (and whatever you want).
You can always count on this forum for that much..

 

[SealT5]

Sounds like a winner. I appreciate the replys. This isn't my first rodeo but it is a new factor for me to consider. Nothing wrong with asking questions. Id be lieing if I said I've never asked a question I knew the answer too. Have a good weekend. Ita time to shoot

 

[hogpatrol]

Sounds like a winner. I appreciate the replys. This isn't my first rodeo but it is a new factor for me to consider. Nothing wrong with asking questions. Id be lieing if I said I've never asked a question I knew the answer too. Have a good weekend. Ita time to shoot

Good luck hunting. As to asking questions, every day I live, I learn how little I know.

 

[KentuckyFisherman]

^^^^^^^ Particularly if these are to be hunting rounds.

+1 Any accuracy difference should be extremely small, certainly won't affect minute-of-predator accuracy.

 

[jr600yd]

For a hunting rifle +1 ^^^^^^^ load and shoot.

 

[SealT5]

123 amaxs shot in the high .2's this morning. More than pleased from a 16.5" Criterion Remage. Going to load up some more and confirm tomorrow over the chrono. Then it's time to spank some coyotes!

Also got a good look at the mule deer heard. Definitely going to be a couple pushing 180"-200".

Joe