reloading 30-06 for accuracy.

[mniesen89]

So I was reloading some 30-06 tonight and after trimming,priming,and charging weighed them as usual.I've noticed that after weighing them I'm getting very inconsistant numbers.Some cases are almost 2 full grains heavier then others!

so. 1) Is this going to affect my accuracy?

2)Is this something that is normal?


Using CCI large rifle,Remington case,IMR 4831

[TexasSeaRay]

Are you weighing your brass and bullets separately before you begin reloading, and, are you using a powder trickler?

Jeff

[Sarge]

Sort your cases by headstamp, and you'll (usually) get better results. I lucked into a heaping 2-gallon bucket of '06 brass about 12 years ago. Some of it was military but most was commercial. I soon learned that if I wanted to check a load for accuracy, I had betters sort cases.

I'm with TSR on the trickler, too-especially if I'm using stick powders.

[mniesen89]

texas, no I didnt weigh my cases before I started, whcih hit me a minute ago that it may be the problem.Sarge, I'm using new remington cases.

I still dont understand, if the cases are all the same and trimmed to the same length, would could make them differ in weight?

[W. C. Quantrill]

If after cleaning, priming, and charging the cases, you only have 2 grains difference, why the concern?

You have minute variances in the cases themselves, variances in your powder measure, and variances in the bullets.

Tiz much ado about nothing.

I only shoot military brass. It is heavier. It is my thing. I like it. I go through all the cases and weigh them to begin with. You would be surprised at the variance in once fired brass. I just bought 2500 rds of Mil surp .30-06. I will shoot it in my rifle, then reload it for use in that rifle. Some of those cases will be 2 grains out from the others. I sort them off, as it could cause a variance in the internal capacity, which could be cause for a chain of things. I hand weigh each cartridges powder, but that could vary by a bit too. A tenth of a grain here, a tenth of a grain there.

If you weigh your bullets, you will be surprised that they will vary. Not much usually, but they can.

When you add it all up, you can easily have a 2 grain variance in your loaded cartridges.

Your accuracy is going to depend upon a lot of things probably more important than that. The condition of your rifle barrel, your choice of powder, and your choice of bullet. Hell, just how you feel that day may make more difference than anything. Load em up and take them out and enjoy the day. Betcha that the +/- 1 grain wont make enough difference that you can measure it.

[Dlr8]

It might bother your accuracy a little bit, not enough to amount to anything in the hunting world.. But if you are looking for an ultra accurate load then it makes a difference... I have 500 once fired 30-06 FC cases that I had to sort because they had a weight variation of 11 grains so just sorting by headstamp is no guarantee that they will even be close to the same weight.. What makes the difference is that if the outside dimensions are all the same then the weight comes for the inside dimensions being different, thus changing the case volume, and this leads to varying pressures which effects accuracy.

Dave

[Sarge]

Sarge, I'm using new remington cases.

I still dont understand, if the cases are all the same and trimmed to the same length, would could make them differ in weight?

Just caught this...if they're all of the same maker and approximate 'vintage' I would ignore minor weight differences. FWIW I have never weighed cases and have concocted several sub-MOA rifle loads.

[mniesen89]

hey thanks all,i guess I'm just being a bit paranoid in my loads.I guess somebody whoe reloads and isn't paranoid now and again probably isn't normal or somewhat unsafe.