OK, I'm not new to reloading, but I am new to "reloading for accuracy" so I'm starting to do things like weighing/segregating cases, chamfering flash holes, turning necks for consistent neck thickness and concentricity, etc.
The tools I have at my disposal include:
• Redding 3-die set with FL sizer and neck-only sizer (these are not "bushing" or "mandrel" dies)
• Redding micrometer bullet seater
• Flash hole chamfer tool
• Nielsen pumpkin neck turner
What's confusing me is the proper order of steps.
I normally segregate new cases by weight into three groups in a "bell curve" with maybe 66% to 75% of the cases in the middle of the bell curve and the remainder divided between the "light" and "heavy" sides.
But (for example) I'm not sure whether to segregate by case weight before or after chamfering internal flash holes, since that will change weight.
Anyway, here is my proposed "order of steps" starting with brand-new, unprimed, unfired cases. If anyone disagrees with this order of steps, could you put the steps into the order you would follow (if you were limited to my tool set) and, if possible, explain why you prefer a different order?
Many thanks for any help.
ORDER OF STEPS
1. Buy new, unprimed, unfired brass
2. Weigh and segregate cases by weight into three groups in a bell curve fashion.
3. Chamfer flash holes.
4. FL resize cases, just to make sure there are no surprises when I go to fire loaded rounds.
5. Chamfer/deburr case mouths .
6. Prime cases with hand primer tool.
7. Load and fire with a full-power load (assuming that such a load has been "worked up to" in that particular rifle).
8. After cases have been 1X fired, anneal necks.
9. Trim cases to length (if needed).
10. Chamfer/deburr case mouths.
11. Check neck wall thicknesses and neck turn to improve consistency of neck wall thicknesses.
12. FL resize and clean / uniform primer pockets
13. Prime, charge, fire as above.
14. Anneal necks.
15. After cases have been fired once, neck turned, FL resized and fired again, only "neck size" thereafter (assuming they will always be used in the same bolt rifle).
Does this sound about right to you guys, given my limited tool set? Anything look out of order?
(This is for 6.5/284, if that matters. I've heard people say that cartridge should probably have the cases annealed with every loading.)
Thanks in advance for any help/advice, and thanks for reading my long-winded post.
The tools I have at my disposal include:
• Redding 3-die set with FL sizer and neck-only sizer (these are not "bushing" or "mandrel" dies)
• Redding micrometer bullet seater
• Flash hole chamfer tool
• Nielsen pumpkin neck turner
What's confusing me is the proper order of steps.
I normally segregate new cases by weight into three groups in a "bell curve" with maybe 66% to 75% of the cases in the middle of the bell curve and the remainder divided between the "light" and "heavy" sides.
But (for example) I'm not sure whether to segregate by case weight before or after chamfering internal flash holes, since that will change weight.
Anyway, here is my proposed "order of steps" starting with brand-new, unprimed, unfired cases. If anyone disagrees with this order of steps, could you put the steps into the order you would follow (if you were limited to my tool set) and, if possible, explain why you prefer a different order?
Many thanks for any help.
ORDER OF STEPS
1. Buy new, unprimed, unfired brass
2. Weigh and segregate cases by weight into three groups in a bell curve fashion.
3. Chamfer flash holes.
4. FL resize cases, just to make sure there are no surprises when I go to fire loaded rounds.
5. Chamfer/deburr case mouths .
6. Prime cases with hand primer tool.
7. Load and fire with a full-power load (assuming that such a load has been "worked up to" in that particular rifle).
8. After cases have been 1X fired, anneal necks.
9. Trim cases to length (if needed).
10. Chamfer/deburr case mouths.
11. Check neck wall thicknesses and neck turn to improve consistency of neck wall thicknesses.
12. FL resize and clean / uniform primer pockets
13. Prime, charge, fire as above.
14. Anneal necks.
15. After cases have been fired once, neck turned, FL resized and fired again, only "neck size" thereafter (assuming they will always be used in the same bolt rifle).
Does this sound about right to you guys, given my limited tool set? Anything look out of order?
(This is for 6.5/284, if that matters. I've heard people say that cartridge should probably have the cases annealed with every loading.)
Thanks in advance for any help/advice, and thanks for reading my long-winded post.