What process for new brass…

[tim1457]

I'm probably going to hear a lot of grief, that's ok but with ADG and Lapua brass, I pull it out the box and start loading. If necks are severely bent I'll address it, but otherwise I do nothing. I just did a load test yesterday with my 6.5 PRC, 3 shots at 100 as I was testing 2 powders. This was my best group with first load test, Lapua brass right out of the box.

 

[Revolting Peasant]

^^^this^^
Thank you!
I might use a mandrel if there are neck dents.
High quality premium brass shouldn't need a lot of extra work. That's why you pay the extra money.
Just me and my opinion for my usage.
Does it make a repeatable, consistent difference on the target is the question I always ask myself.

 

[DLJ6]

I'm probably going to hear a lot of grief, that's ok but with ADG and Lapua brass, I pull it out the box and start loading. If necks are severely bent I'll address it, but otherwise I do nothing. I just did a load test yesterday with my 6.5 PRC, 3 shots at 100 as I was testing 2 powders. This was my best group with first load test, Lapua brass right out of the box.

Nice work. Care to share the bullet and powder details?

 

[Perroe]

I'm probably going to hear a lot of grief, that's ok but with ADG and Lapua brass, I pull it out the box and start loading. If necks are severely bent I'll address it, but otherwise I do nothing. I just did a load test yesterday with my 6.5 PRC, 3 shots at 100 as I was testing 2 powders. This was my best group with first load test, Lapua brass right out of the box.

I do the same, just chamfer and debur

 

[KsKevin]

I neck size & mandrel, trim so all are exactly same length, chamfer in & out, debur flash holes.

 

[tim1457]

Nice work. Care to share the bullet and powder details?

I used Reloder 26 (54.5gr. that particular group) with a 147 gr. Hornady ELD-M, Lapua brass and Federal 210M primers. I was also comparing Midwest Powders MP-711 which is supposed to be similar to Reloder 26. I tested it, (first time trying it) against the same grain weight as the Reloder 26. I found it to be on average about 90 FPS slower but the extreme spread was only 8-11 on 4 tests I performed. Best group with it in that test was .400 and worst .610. It looks to be a promising powder albeit a little slower. Forgot to say barrel is 1-7.5 twist.

 

[coastrange]

Ok lots of answers just as expected. I just listened to a podcast with adg about new case prep and they recommended doing exactly what you would do with fired brass for consistency.

I've only ever used full length dies, using it intact with expander, but a buddy swore by a Lee collet die so I picked on up.

Now I'm going down the expander mandrel rabbit hole (again) to be honest every web page or thread I read goes back and forth. It's a lot to figure out

 

[Buckskinner]

Use quality brass, prime, powder, seat, fire. If you have a solid rifle setup you do not need to chase the dragon with brass prep. Don't get me wrong, I've done all of it and finally figured out that trying to sew a purse from a pigs ear is more trouble than it's worth and a quality rifle pays dividends in the long run.

This target was at 410 yards with 6.5 PRC, less than 10 rounds through the barrel with new brass, mild load, middle of the road seating depth. 100 yards was target similar to Tim's so I figured I'd stretch it out a little. I have several rifles that are accommodating like or close to this and have had many that weren't, and they are gone. I don't chase dragons anymore...