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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Make my step by step reloading process better
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<blockquote data-quote="QuietTexan" data-source="post: 2161997" data-attributes="member: 116181"><p>I don't do much different that you. One thing I do different is if you're going to do case prep in Step 9, then I'd decap after the initial tumble, not before. I don't think you're getting much cleaning action from the media in the pocket (I don't with corn cob for sure), so leave the plug in the case and clean the carbon out of the pockets in the later step. Less junk in the flash hole, and I run the decapper through it after tumbling to make sure it's open.</p><p></p><p>I double size or double mandrel, meaning I do it once, rotate 90-ish*, do it again. Lee collets or bushings without expanders usually, for one case I FL then mandrel. Mandrel is probably better for consistency, but I've started skim turning necks so using bushings instead of FL after that has been an improvement for me. Off the top of my head I want to say I'm using a LE Wilson "new" mandrel at 0.015" under caliber, but I'd have to go check.</p><p></p><p>Uniform the pocket and deburr the flash hole the first time on new brass. I only weight sort when new. I haven't done volume sorting, but if I can get a large enough batch of brass then I'll start. Combination of my scale isn't accurate enough to handle it, and currently I don't have any one lot sets of cases larger than 100 pieces, most are in the 80s after the initial cull anyways. One day I'll get 500 numbers matching cases to start with and really go all out on a pre-sort, just hasn't been a priority yet. I don't have any custom cut chambers, so I don't think that level of prep would do much for me currently, especially on a scale that doesn't have the accuracy to get down past a tenth with any repeatability. But when I get my lab balance I might start.</p><p></p><p>I lube precision stuff one case at a time with Imperial wax, and clean them off after sizing with a microfiber towel. Swipe finger in wax, wipe, size, clean, back in the tray, next. You get a good rhythm after a while. I don't media tumble a second time, if I did I'd have to go back and check the flash holes and case bottoms again. Bulk stuff I use One Shot, spray them in a reloading tray, and they're normally dry when it's time to seat. Dry lube the necks with Imperial graphite if I'm using wax on the body.</p><p></p><p>Step 8, I use case gages to check trim length. LE Wilson or Sheridan Engineering depending on what I'm sizing. Drop in the case, stand the gage on the head, check with a precision straight edge. I find this more consistent than calipers because most mouths are not cut true, especially after chamfering and deburring, so this catches ANY high spot right away. If they pass, they pass. If they don't I trim the whole batch at the same time. Standing the gage on its head puts the case at the max headspace, with usually puts the case mouth close to the end of the chamber by the time the case grows to that point. I run a bore scope down the barrel from the crown with the bolt closed on a sized case at max length to make sure I'm not actually jammed up on the end and have some clearance left.</p><p></p><p>Shameless plug, I love their slotted gauges:</p><p>[URL unfurl="true"]https://sheridanengineering.com/product-category/ammunition-gauges/[/URL]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="QuietTexan, post: 2161997, member: 116181"] I don't do much different that you. One thing I do different is if you're going to do case prep in Step 9, then I'd decap after the initial tumble, not before. I don't think you're getting much cleaning action from the media in the pocket (I don't with corn cob for sure), so leave the plug in the case and clean the carbon out of the pockets in the later step. Less junk in the flash hole, and I run the decapper through it after tumbling to make sure it's open. I double size or double mandrel, meaning I do it once, rotate 90-ish*, do it again. Lee collets or bushings without expanders usually, for one case I FL then mandrel. Mandrel is probably better for consistency, but I've started skim turning necks so using bushings instead of FL after that has been an improvement for me. Off the top of my head I want to say I'm using a LE Wilson "new" mandrel at 0.015" under caliber, but I'd have to go check. Uniform the pocket and deburr the flash hole the first time on new brass. I only weight sort when new. I haven't done volume sorting, but if I can get a large enough batch of brass then I'll start. Combination of my scale isn't accurate enough to handle it, and currently I don't have any one lot sets of cases larger than 100 pieces, most are in the 80s after the initial cull anyways. One day I'll get 500 numbers matching cases to start with and really go all out on a pre-sort, just hasn't been a priority yet. I don't have any custom cut chambers, so I don't think that level of prep would do much for me currently, especially on a scale that doesn't have the accuracy to get down past a tenth with any repeatability. But when I get my lab balance I might start. I lube precision stuff one case at a time with Imperial wax, and clean them off after sizing with a microfiber towel. Swipe finger in wax, wipe, size, clean, back in the tray, next. You get a good rhythm after a while. I don't media tumble a second time, if I did I'd have to go back and check the flash holes and case bottoms again. Bulk stuff I use One Shot, spray them in a reloading tray, and they're normally dry when it's time to seat. Dry lube the necks with Imperial graphite if I'm using wax on the body. Step 8, I use case gages to check trim length. LE Wilson or Sheridan Engineering depending on what I'm sizing. Drop in the case, stand the gage on the head, check with a precision straight edge. I find this more consistent than calipers because most mouths are not cut true, especially after chamfering and deburring, so this catches ANY high spot right away. If they pass, they pass. If they don't I trim the whole batch at the same time. Standing the gage on its head puts the case at the max headspace, with usually puts the case mouth close to the end of the chamber by the time the case grows to that point. I run a bore scope down the barrel from the crown with the bolt closed on a sized case at max length to make sure I'm not actually jammed up on the end and have some clearance left. Shameless plug, I love their slotted gauges: [URL unfurl="true"]https://sheridanengineering.com/product-category/ammunition-gauges/[/URL] [/QUOTE]
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Make my step by step reloading process better
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