New brass question

[westcoastr]

I used to by factory ammo, shoot it, and then reload the fire-formed brass for better accuracy.

But now i am looking to buy new brass. what do you guys do on the first handload since the brass is not fire-formed to your exact chamber? do you just drop in a medium load and get some shooting practice?

 

[billmo]

You could get several different replys to your question and all would probably be right for the individual and/or the type rifle being loaded for. My routine for new brass Inspect, chamfer and deburr, check for flash hole burrs and remove, run the expander mandrel in the necks and/or re-sizing die, turn necks if applicable, check neck tension, clean and load. I normally wait to uniform primer pockets until F/F. I'm sure others will add to their liking but this works for me in all my rifles. I hope this helps. Bill

 

[westcoastr]

luckily its lapua brass so i won't have to clean up the primer pocket.

then do you load as if f/f? i doubt it will shoot like of f/f loaded round..??

it seems new brass is always undersized for a chamber and trimmed right at the minimum. wouldn't it be nice if it came over-sized and too long so you could size and trim it close to your f/f loads?

 

[billmo]

Lapua is really good brass. No doubt. With new brass it pays to be cautious on F/F loads. You can get it too hot very easily. I normally load a couple grains under max at least. If brass were to come from the factory too long and too big that would probably cause a problem with as many different size chambers as is floating around out there especially in factory rifles because some are at min. SAMMI and some at max.SAMMI. I see what you are saying though. Later, Bill

 

[westcoastr]

If brass were to come from the factory too long and too big that would probably cause a problem with as many different size chambers as is floating around out there especially in factory rifles because some are at min. SAMMI and some at max.SAMMI. I see what you are saying though. Later, Bill

good point - they would have to put a big disclaimer saying you HAVE to resize as it is probably oversized for most chambers. lawyers would never let them sell it. i could just see someone forcing a oversized round into their chamber and then kaboom

 

[billmo]

If brass were to come from the factory too long and too big that would probably cause a problem with as many different size chambers as is floating around out there especially in factory rifles because some are at min. SAMMI and some at max.SAMMI. I see what you are saying though. Later, Bill

good point - they would have to put a big disclaimer saying you HAVE to resize as it is probably oversized for most chambers. lawyers would never let them sell it. i could just see someone forcing a oversized round into their chamber and then kaboom

Yep, that's another accident waiting to happen. SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS Bill

 

[alf]

I'm assuming it's for a factory gun and chamber.
On new brass I neck size or full length size first, then do all the detailing next.
After that, I just start working up the loads and not worry about fire-forming first. Ain't had a problem .

Al

 

[westcoastr]

yes commercial match grade barrel and action, nothing custom

- suprised you new and f/f loads shoot similar

 

[Preacher]

I've found in a lot of cases,pun intended) they will shoot as accurate forming as they will after they are formed to your chamber...
I just full length size them, load em up and shoot em at critters, and they don't seem to care if they are formed to the chamber or not....
Of course on a full blown bench gun they may not do as well until they are formed to that chamber............