When to reload

[twotwothree]

Hello, I have a question about when to load ammo for a match. Is it best to reload as close to the match as possible or can you reloaded ammo sit around for a few weeks with no effect on it. Thanks

 

[Richard Coody]

Like most things in reloading whatever works for you.

For me working with my bench gun and trying to shoot in the 1's and 2's i found loading the night before improved my groups. Even just taking cases sized earlier in the week and seating bullets the night before didn't work too well. Size and seat bullets during the same reloading session was best.

Now many will disagree with this. Even very sucessful competitive shooters.

But for me it made a difference.

 

[mike06]

Richard is spot on with his advice. One trick many do is reload but not fully seat the bullet. Then before they shoot seat the bullet to your normal depth.

 

[Chuckhunter]

+1 for Mike06 suggestion.

 

[riflewoman]

It depends a bit on how much you shoot in a match and what your time constraints are. When I shot Highpower Service Rifle (M1A) I loaded in large batches (1500 rounds) during the winter months as there were few matches during that time. This allowed me to load enough ammo at one time to get me through a season. It also gave me consistent zeros.

If I were shooting Benchrest, I’d load on the range, but I’d probably take 200 prepped and primed brass. PRC, the batches would be smaller, and most of the back stock would be in primed ready-to-load cases. But whatever works for you and your schedule.

 

[Webster]

Hello, I have a question about when to load ammo for a match. Is it best to reload as close to the match as possible or can you reloaded ammo sit around for a few weeks with no effect on it. Thanks

Many of the short range bench shooters adjust their loads during the day depending on temperature. They are trying to shoot in the 1s. Buy Tony Boyers book.

 

[Ccrider]

@Webster is right. Some powders are temp and humidity sensitive more than others. I shot n133 two days ago 5 shot groups in the 1s. Yesterday, light rain, same load grouped in the 3s mostly vertical. Increased charge and back in the 1s. Would not have believed it had I not seen it for myself.

 

[Baddog0302]

+1 on Riflewoman said, And it depends of where you charge your cases with powder, IF you can do it in a climate controlled room where the humidity is the same year round, then it all depends on what other activities take up your free time, FYI "Happy wife, happy life"

 

[mike a]

So if you neck down will it relax over time and open up a bit. vs if you use an expander mandel will it relax an shrink. I.e. Tighter neck tension?

 

[Snuggie]

If my brass has been prepped for a few weeks, I mandrel and reload the night before as there is some spring back over time. Has worked for me for years so I’ve never deviated from that way. Others that I shoot with will re-seat the night before. It’s really what you see in your scores. If it works well keep at it. Good shooting!

 

[twotwothree]

Thanks everyone

 

[mike06]

One thing that keeps coming back in my mind is the L E Wilson way and that is to size the neck down .003 then let it spring back. No expander ball or mandrel. Even if you anneal you will still get some spring back.

 

[dgeesaman]

Richard is spot on with his advice. One trick many do is reload but not fully seat the bullet. Then before they shoot seat the bullet to your normal depth.

This also makes it easy to adjust your seating depth if the load goes out of tune. Especially if you have an in-line seater - those are light and easy to take with you.

Add a tuner to the barrel if that’s not enough easy on-the-range adjustment.

 

[ballisticxlr]

The man that loads for a match the day before, usually loses the match. At least in PRS and F-class. Benchrest guys are different.

 

[dmoran]

The man that loads for a match the day before, usually loses the match.....

Experiences and opinions will very a lot on that one....lol

 

[mikeeg02]

The man that loads for a match the day before, usually loses the match. At least in PRS and F-class. Benchrest guys are different.

I almost always load the night before for no other reason than theres a chance I've done any further testing or learned something I need to implement. Maybe the weather is going to be different enough I need to change something. (We all know how well they can predict the weather) I've been holding my own at matches.

EDIT: I also seem to shoot best on the least amount of sleep, but thats me. I think it keeps me from having the ability to over think things lol.

 

[Richard Coody]

The man that loads for a match the day before, usually loses the match. At least in PRS and F-class. Benchrest guys are different.

Now i always say whatever works for you

But i am curious about your statement.

Why would that be?

 

[riflewoman]

So if you neck down will it relax over time and open up a bit. vs if you use an expander mandel will it relax an shrink. I.e. Tighter neck tension?

Umm...no...

Brass at room temperature doesn’t creep much at all.