3 Good Steps of Case Preparation

[E.T.]

Over the years I have found 3 steps for case preparations that have yielded highest results in shrinking group sizes for me. In a few instances as much as cutting groups sizes in half when the three principals are applied.

De-burring flash inside case;
For this operation I use the tool available from Lyman and after case has been properly trimmed. This is also only a one-time operation needed. As mentioned earlier I also produce a small chamfer on the flash hole. The thought behind this is for producing a flame that evenly engulfs the powder instead of focusing a burn to any one side.

Outside Neck Turning;
When checking the wall thickness in the neck area you will find in most cases variations of values. For hunting purposes I try to keep this variation down to .001” by neck turning. The thoughts behind this is for helping to center the bullet to the bore and for allowing an even release from around the neck that will help prevent detrimental cocking of the bullet as it races to the bore. When large variation is found in some neck thicknesses (lower dimension) on cases I discard these cases.

Partial Resizing;
This I only do for bolt-action rifles for a close fit to the chamber and bullet alignment to the bore. This is done by leaving a space (nickel thickness) between a full resizing die and shell holder when ram is fully raised.

I know most re-loaders are aware of this but to anyone new to the art of reloading this can be beneficial in starting to see shrinkage to your groups. Am always open to learning or discussing some finer points on most subjects that I have limited knowledge of so I hope to see comments.

Ed T

[scott41069]

Good info Newkid!!

I have been fully resizing my cases thus far but will begin to neck resize only only and on one particular gun soon.
That will help also with the bullet and bore alignment.
I have read that fire formed brass will produce better than fully resized brass but i assume that only holds true in certain situations.

[charger]

As you guys no I'm not good with words ,so here we go..The following applies to cases that headspace on a neck.In these cases if you get the length right,all else is right. Either use brass fired in THAT gun, or do the following with new brass.Load a heavy cheap projectile like a remington bulk,just barely seated in enough to hold it. In the case you have a small amount of fast burning powder.In something like an 06 case I use a 200 gr and 15 grs of 700 x.Once you fire form this brass, it then belongs to that gun only. Put your full length die in your press, and adjust it up real high. Take one case and smoke the neck with a candle. Put that case in press and adjust die down until you've sized to within .050" of shoulder. You will be able to tell this by the removal of the smoke you put on neck. Lock die. Size your cases. Keep them in lots as to how many firings theyve had. What you've done by not touching shoulder is left headspace at absolute zero, and perfectly centered shoulder and neck.accuracy goes way up.

[RAF]

I do what Charger say except I don't use the candle. I adjust my dies and keep checking how far down it neck sizes. You can see the ridge made by the dies on the neck. I try to get it as close to the shoulder as possible.

[charger]

Right you are RAF. As long as your away from the shoulder. Its just easier if its smoked for us old bats.

[scott41069]

Charger,Raf, great info!!

My .223 just volunteered to be the first one loaded using fire formed brass.

[charger]

Remember though Though Scott ,the key is keeping track of firing lots.If you do the fireform steps your laughing, cause you have consistant head space,and pressure. All that goes out the window if your firing some lods where brass has been fired once, some new, some five times. Cause those necks do get thicker in time, ecspecially with hotter loads.When I got my sako bench finished. I fired some new 22/250 out of it at 100 meters.Conditioning the bore and having fun.But was thinking that even in those conditions it should have been better than an inch. brought that brass home,did what me and Raf told you,now this is what I do at the 200 meter,and when I'm done,I shoot the push tacs off.Thats a blown away tac top right

[Rifleman]

Now that's some good loads,good rifle and good shootin !