new brass

[SPM]

Hey all, I'm new to reloding, so tell if I'm wrong. If I buy new Lapua brass for my 6mm br can I just start out by priming and bullet seating first. I just bought a 1000 cases from brunos for prairie dogs, so if I don't have to do any sizing to the brass, it would save me alot of time. Thanks, SPM

 

[Forum Boss]

Before you go on your trip load a couple up and make sure they chamber OK in your rifle.

Yes, you can normally just chamfer the neck inside and out and shoot new brass. But I also strongly recommend:

#1 Visually inspect the flash holes. In recent months we've seen some 6BR Lapua brass that needs flash hole deburring. If the brass looks OK, leave it alone.

#2 Run an expander mandrel down the neck. This will straighten the necks, make the bullets easier to seat, and,probably) increase accuracy. I use the Expandiron that is made for the K&M 6mm neck turner, but Sinclair makes the right size expander also.

 

[SPM]

thanks moderator for replying. so how does my list sound,let me know if i forgot something): arbor press, wilson micro seating die, 45 degree deburing tool, neck mandrel, lee auto prime?, powder scale and trickler. thanks again, SPM

 

[Forum Boss]

thanks moderator for replying. so how does my list sound,let me know if i forgot something): arbor press, wilson micro seating die, 45 degree deburing tool, neck mandrel, lee auto prime?, powder scale and trickler. thanks again, SPM

You'll need a FL sizing die. I recommend a Forster with the neck honed to .266 or .267, or a Harrell's FL bushing die.

My favorite primer seater is the RCBS APS hand seater that uses the strip priming system. Fast, simple. For large quantities of priming, consider the press attachment that goes into the top of a Rockchucker. Doing 1000 cases with a hand primer would probably give me arthritis. Forster also makes a nice bench tool for priming.

For neck chamfering I have a 28 degree tool and a 45 degree tool. I use the 28 on the inside the first time, then use the 45 on the outside and for touch-ups on the inside if I trim the cases. It's not a bad idea to trim cases after the first firing. I like both the Forster trimmer and Wilson trimmer, but the Wilson is easier to adjust the length. Just set up a dummy case at the right length and screw in the adjuster--poor man's micrometer.

You'll absolutely love the Wilson microm seater. The fit is so good you may get a slight vacuum lock. A popsicle stick will help you pop the case out after loading.

I also recommend a set of calipers of course, and a comparator body with 6mm insert so you can measure your bullets base to ogive and measure your loaded rounds case base to ogive. It is also important to have some tool that can help you measure the actual distance to lands. Some guys prefer doing this by feel but I prefer to use the Stoney Pt OAL gauge, now sold by Hornady.

If you can afford it, a Chargemaster powder dispenser will speed up the loading of those 1000 cases. Right now they're on sale for $229.00.

See: http://www.6mmbr.com/bulletin.html

 

[SPM]

mr. moderator, i do plan on getting the full length sizing die but do i need to use it on new brass? i don't mean to sound like im cutting corners but in a way i am. we are going p-doggen the 2nd week of may and im still building my rifle. time has become a major factor for me. thanks SPM

 

[Forum Boss]

No--you don't need FL sizing initially, though some people prefer to do this.

With mild loads, some guys will go 5-6 reloadings neck-sizing only. Eventually, however you'll need to bump the shoulders. In my experience, and that of the PPC shooters, you don't lose any accuracy by FL sizing every time... provided the FL die is a good fit to your chamber. This ensures slick feeding and extraction. The Forster FL die, with the neck honed to your preference is a nice way to go.

But back to your question, FL sizing is not necessary before your trip, provided your unsized test rounds worked OK in your gun.

 

[Gman]

Moderator,

Will a Redding Body Die bump the shoulder?

Moderator Answer: Yes, if it's screwed down far enough a body die will move the shoulder back. You make need to set for "cam-over" on your press to accomplish this. About .0015" shoulder bump works pretty well in most rifles.

A FL neck bushing die is more versatile than a body die. If you don't want to touch the neck on your case, you can just remove the bushing.

 

[SPM]

thanks moderator, i will surf through your posted advertisers and start buying. i appreciate your help, SPM