Keeping it simple with reloading

[QuietTexan]

Alex - couple of questions:

1. How important are your chamber dimensions to you as part of this? Difference between round loaded OD and chamber, how much does the brass move on firing, and how much do you size it back down to get the 0.005" fit?

2. Is there any quantifiable relationship between how much shoulder bump and how far you seat into the lands?

 

[ShtrRdy]

The one place you cant get around spending good money is your scale. You have got to have a really good scale, something like the A&D fx120i. Its popular enough that they make a nice auto trickler for it too.

Does a good beam scale work?

 

[Gmac]

Does a good beam scale work?

A good beam scale is definitely accurate, but the utility of something like the A&D Fx 120i makes everything much easier and enjoyable. Time saving for me have been worth every penny.

 

[Chuckrub]

The link didn't work.


The video is a 308 168 Berger classic hunter at 1040 yards with a beam scale for the reloads.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Alex - couple of questions:

1. How important are your chamber dimensions to you as part of this? Difference between round loaded OD and chamber, how much does the brass move on firing, and how much do you size it back down to get the 0.005" fit?

2. Is there any quantifiable relationship between how much shoulder bump and how far you seat into the lands?

1. I dont like tight chambers. There is nothing to gain with them. You have to size the brass enough so you wont get extraction issues, The amount depends on the case your dealing with.
2. Im not sure what your asking. You do want consistent bumps for a couple reasons, that being one.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Does a good beam scale work?

Maybe. I guess it depends on how good and how consistent with it you are. Your es may or may not show you this. If you can shoot groups on paper, not dirt or rocks and measure them for vertical you can determine if the accuracy is acceptable to you. Or if you know some one with a good scale you could check your work on their scale. Beware of cheap electronic scales. My chargemaster was only good to +/- .2gn. So a .4 window is all you could count on even if the scale read the exact charge. .4 would certainly show up in accuracy loss even in a big case and it would kill the accuracy of a small case at long range.

 

[old_heli_logger]

Awesome thread!!! Thanks to all!!
Hey @Alex Wheeler have you ever tried a Lee Factory Crimp die? Asking for a friend...
@ButterBean

 

[bigngreen]

I've compared my balance scales to an scale like the fx120i and they are not really comparable. I'm leaving accuracy and consistency on the table without a doubt. You can get some scales tuned to be more responsive and repeatable then use some tools to be able to see the lines well enough to make a call but there are a limitation. If you look at the cost of an equally spec'ed balance scale and one like the fx120i you will see your not buying one at Midway for $100!!!
I've been using a beam scale and I've maxed out what I can pull out of it, I'm bound and determined to buy the Autotrickler v4 and FX120i this summer even if I have to sell some lightly used but clean one owner body parts!!

 

[gohring3006]

Hey Alex, do you share his method of not annealing? If so do you notice a difference later on in the brass life to where you just retire it early, or can you go the life of the primer pocket with the same accuracy/precision results?

 

[Axl]

I've compared my balance scales to an scale like the fx120i and they are not really comparable. I'm leaving accuracy and consistency on the table without a doubt. You can get some scales tuned to be more responsive and repeatable then use some tools to be able to see the lines well enough to make a call but there are a limitation. If you look at the cost of an equally spec'ed balance scale and one like the fx120i you will see your not buying one at Midway for $100!!!
I've been using a beam scale and I've maxed out what I can pull out of it, I'm bound and determined to buy the Autotrickler v4 and FX120i this summer even if I have to sell some lightly used but clean one owner body parts!!

I have a couple charge masters and a tuned Redding beam scale that I have used for years. I put my name in for an Auto trickler V4 & FX120i when they were announced. I have had the V4 for a few months now and the speed and accuracy are absolutely worth the investment to me.

 

[EFouraker]

Our match season just began. I just wanted to update the thread. Keeping it simple still works. These targets were shot back to back in the same day in a registered IBS 1k BR match ( 1.6" & 1.5"). 6BRA, 103 vapor trail .008" in the lands, 31.1 of H4895, non annealed brass, .005" neck tension, primers seated by feel with a 21st century seater, FL bushing die, no mandrel, .0035 bump with an ejector, didn't even clean the carbon out of the primer pockets Tune the gun guys, all the anal stuff doesnt mean a thing if you not in tune. Buying the high dollar tools

 

[EFouraker]

Alex, Any details on the barrel you used on that 6bra? That thing is hammering! Congrats on some incredible shooting.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Its a Bartlien 4 groove

 

[Muddyboots]

I received FX120i as surprise Christmas gift from son and his wife. Completely blown away by it. The old saying: you don't know what you don't know" is spot on for the performance it gives. Wow is complete understatement. No doubt game changer in total load process.