wjarrell
Well-Known Member
Do you guys use new brass for load development or once fired (fire formed out of your gun)?
... I was using once or more fired Winchester brass. ...
I bought new Winchester brass and loaded up a fresh batch of the same round from the same components and I was way over pressure.
I wouldn't waste powder development on un-fireformed cases. They will change until fully fireformed.
I do full seating testing while fireforming brass twice, and THEN move on to powder/ladder.
Don't know, it doesn't matter. I won't ever be using new brass in the field.Mike, what's the size of your biggest test groups with fully formed cases compared to new ones?
Don't know, it doesn't matter. I won't ever be using new brass in the field.
I use fully formed brass that is sized the way I always size it.
Add to this that I don't have to replace my brass -ever.
For example, I bought and formed 50 Lapua cases for a .223rem. ~1900rnds later, same 50pc of brass in service. No problems.
That's ~37 reload cycles with STABLE cases, so why would I **** around with the moment my brass was still unformed?
The question amounts to whether results change from new to formed (sized or not). The answer is yes, for many it does. While I do not personally challenge myself with this, we do see it declared and discussed across shooting forums.
Some claim better results with new brass, some worse, some no change.
Makes no sense to me that anyone would roll dice on it, especially during load development. After all, if you did then you'd just be inclined to write-off any 'flyer' to the brass being new. Or was it? Changing powder AND case capacity is two changes at once, while load development is easier with single changes at a time.
If you really feel that 50-100 shots are wasted in brass forming alone, then use this opportunity to test big result items(coarse adjustments). Gun handling, primers, bullet seating depths, primer striking.
I have to say, anyone who doesn't acknowledge the potential in seating testing -knows little to nothing about load development.