The next step

[Stud Duck]

As I stated in another thread, I purchased my vibrator tumbler and I have approximately 300 rounds of once-fired brass to clean.

The manual says to clean the brass prior to re-sizing and de-priming; I assume we all agree with this statement or at least I do at the time, because the tumbler is running as I type....ignorance is bliss.

The brass is once-fired, but not by the rifle(s) I will be reloading for. Once cleaned and polished I assume the next step will be to sort the brass by manufacture? After that, how do I further group the brass prior to sizing and priming; by weight, correct?

If you could walk me through the next few steps, it would be very helpful.

Thank you for taking time to help a beginning reloader.

 

[MagnumManiac]

If the brass is bought bulk, I separate headstamp prior to cleaning, nothing worse than sorting brass covered in polishing compound!
Next is your method of sizing. Firstly, you need to determine how much sizing is necessary, I measure head to datum and compare to my fired cases. I also measure the expansion line. Now, I have dies set up to bump the shoulder, AND dies that only touch the body. Sometimes with a die set-up already, you will find cases that deflect too much and resist the sizing, requiring further adjustment until the FIRST firing after sizing, then it will be to the chamber dimension and require LESS sizing effort.
Once sorted and cleaned, I inspect flash hole of 10 casings, even if ONE has a burr I will then de-burr all cases.
Next is the length, this is not as critical as some will make out it is.
If within tolerance, not over max case length, then you could chamfer the case mouth and load them up and shoot.
On the next sizing, check for length, if over max, trim them ALL to the SHORTEST in the batch OR the trim to length, which is .010” shorter than max.
I run powderd graphite through my necks, it is NOT removed after sizing, I use expander balls on hunting rounds.
This gives me more consistent neck tension and better ES/SD numbers.
You do NOT have to do this, but experimentation will yield whether it works for you if you decide to try it.
I used to do this, then tumble my brass after sizing, then after loading the rounds, within a couple of days I would get bullets sticking in the neck and high pressures with what was a safe load.
The graphite has eliminated this problem.

Cheers.

 

[Zero333]

For a beginner there is no need to sort brass before sizing. Set the die up as per the instructions in the die box and go to town.

You can sort the brass by make before you start seating primers.

Keep things simple at the beginning till you get a hang of it and start to understand how things work.

Once you got the hang of the basics you may go into more advanced techniques.

 

[retired]

DO NOT DO THAT.
using the die makers sizing instructions is a great way to ruin brass,
yes sort my maker
skip weight for now.
it is likely that you will have to adjust your sized by brass maker.
what type of rifle are you going to load for ?
if a bolt gun you need to size to the point that the bolt will nearly close by itself.
what cartridge are you loading ??

For a beginner there is no need to sort brass before sizing. Set the die up as per the instructions in the die box and go to town.

You can sort the brass by make before you start seating primers.

Keep things simple at the beginning till you get a hang of it and start to understand how things work.

Once you got the hang of the basics you may go into more advanced techniques.

 

[Stud Duck]

DO NOT DO THAT.
using the die makers sizing instructions is a great way to ruin brass,
yes sort my maker
skip weight for now.
it is likely that you will have to adjust your sized by brass maker.
what type of rifle are you going to load for ?
if a bolt gun you need to size to the point that the bolt will nearly close by itself.
what cartridge are you loading ??

Loading for a bolt action chambered for 270 Win. Once I learn what I'm doing, I'll eventually load for 243 Win, 300 Win Mag and possibly 7mm-08; all of which are bolt guns.

 

[retired]

ok so these sound like hunting rifles, not target rifles. correct me if i am wrong.
clean and sort the brass. lightly lube the case...a batch of 10-15 in one lot.
install the shell holder and the sizing die.
raise the ram and turn the die down till it touched the shell holder,AND then back it out TWO full turns.
put a lubed case in the shell holder and size the brass. this is most likely not going to fit in your chamber, but you should be able to see some sizing on the neck.
try the case in your chamber.
keep turning the die down in 1/4 turn steps.use a fresh pc of brass each time. you will eventually get to a firm bolt close and then the next should be an easy bolt close. that is about where you want to be. with the last bc of brass back in the press and in the die tighten the net on the die. size the whole small lot and check you work by closing the bolt on each one. all should close easy no resistance. if not turn the die down an 1/8 of a turn resize them all and check again...you want them all sized the same. clean them and move on to prep or loading.

Loading for a bolt action chambered for 270 Win. Once I learn what I'm doing, I'll eventually load for 243 Win, 300 Win Mag and possibly 7mm-08; all of which are bolt guns.