Reloading 6mmbr

[MatthewG]

Excuse me for this being maybe a repeated question, but I havent seen a clear answer. I am getting a standard neck 6mmbr made up, and I see people at the range who dont resize brass after each use and they just de-prime and load up. Is this just because they are tight-neck 6mmPPC guys? I load .223 and use a turret press,Lee) to resize case, then neck, then load my powder and last seat the bullet; are all these steps still needed? Thanks!

 

[Hipshot]

FWIW, I compete with a standard chamber 6BR for no-turn necks. I use a full length Redding S,bushing) die with the die set to bump the shoulder down by .001. I may not have to bump the shoulder or do the slight bit of body resizing that this setup does, but it makes me feel better. I'm currently starting my 8th loading with Lapua brass and have not seen any signs of needing to scrap any of the cases,knock on wood.) I reload on a Dillon 550B.

 

[MatthewG]

So will my Lee press work with most other dies?

 

[Hipshot]

Certainly. If I were using a full length die, I'd only resize until the shoulder was set back .001". With a neck size die I'd only resize to the neck/shoulder junction. I do not set up any die so that the base touches the cartridge holder; I let the resizing process determine where the die is adjusted. I particularly like the bushing dies because you never pull a plug through the neck during the resizing process; you throw away the resizing plug that is on the decapping stem of the resizing die. It is much, much easier to get exactly the same neck diameter for consistent bullet pull, and the process is substantially easier on the brass neck.

 

[jb1000br]

Certainly. If I were using a full length die, I'd only resize until the shoulder was set back .001". With a neck size die I'd only resize to the neck/shoulder junction. I do not set up any die so that the base touches the cartridge holder; I let the resizing process determine where the die is adjusted. I particularly like the bushing dies because you never pull a plug through the neck during the resizing process; you throw away the resizing plug that is on the decapping stem of the resizing die. It is much, much easier to get exactly the same neck diameter for consistent bullet pull, and the process is substantially easier on the brass neck.

That is the way to go wit TURNED necks, but with no-turn, the ball is the only way to equalize things...

JB

 

[Hipshot]

Hi JB,

Your comment about expander ball with no-turn necks got me thinking,seems to happen less frequently with age). I do not turn necks and use the bushing die without the plug. I'm using Lapua brass which has shown good neck thickness consistency, but not up to the perfect dimensions that are possible with turning. However, I also have my bushing set .001 smaller than called for. Based on your post, I will take some brass and neck turn for consistent thickness and see if it makes a difference, or how much of a difference.

It's good to think. Thanks.